Sorry about the mistakes in that post. Fodor's wouldn't let me preview, which as you can tell, I desperately need.

But if someone does have a book on how to eat museums, let me know.

Oh mebe, I always love your sense of humor and delightful personality. The apartment you rented sounds wonderful and I will enjoy looking at your websites this evening while enjoying my wine. "Quiet, still children are priceless", so true that!

P.S. As of yesterday afternoon I found the Preview button didn't work for me either. I haven't tried it today.

mebe, great posts. I think some of your links may even work to use for our first trip to paris taking a 16 year old teenager (but anyone who has other ideas please feel free to make recommendations). Think you had a bad link and meant slowtrav.com

thanks, Terry.

Thanks Terry -- I did mean slowtrav.com

I know they're sites with tips on traveling with teenagers; I'll see what I can find. Fodorite JuliaT had traveled to Paris with teens several times, perhaps she'll comment. Teens are a different breed, right?

First day of travel -- with <b>pictures </b>! Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/245qpy4

I'm really enjoying your report and looking forward to the reaction to the gigantic paintings of naked ladies. Sounds like a good way to sell museum visits to young children; I never thought of that one, but then again I had daughters. I have to say though, that I wonder how they came up with that particular question to ask.

What a fun beginning to your report--love the photos of the kids on the plane.

can't wait to read more!

I don't know why people always worry about traveling with children. When I was little, I would tune into my parents' excitement about the trip and be just as excited as they were. Knowing that good behavior was a desirable trait for our parents, my brother and I were very stoic during boring moments and meteorological disappointments, among other things.

As the father of a 3-year old who's anxious to get back out there, I'm reading this will great interest.

As the father of a 3-year old who's anxious to get back out there, >>

is that you or the 3 year old who wants to get back out there, Brian?

Nikki

My kids -- including my daughter -- think naked bodies are hysterical. (Especially butts and what they do, but I won't go there. Yet.) While flipping through a book on Impressionist paintings, they saw naked ladies, squealed with delight and burst into fits of giggles.

I seized the moment and told them we could see those paintings "for real" in a place called a museum. After that, anytime I mentioned a museum, they mentioned the naked ladies.

Nudity is a great way to get kids interested in art.

We're taking our first big family trip in a while in just a couple of weeks (to Italy!). I have two teenaged girls and an 8 year old daughter. My youngest had to look up the word "dome" today for homework, and I mentioned that we would see lots of domes in Italy. After we talked architecture for a bit, she asked me what else we would see....remembering your post (and my daughter's continued fascination with bottoms), I said "large paintings with naked people." Her eyes went wide and I backtracked and starting talking cherubs. But I think she'll be quite keen when we hit the Vatican Museum.

ttrent -- that's hilarious! What about getting art books from the library so that she can see what you're talking about. Her idea of paintings of naked ladies might be much different then the some-what tame pictures she'll see.

BTW, the Pompideu center has an exhibit on naked ladies (parts, <i>ahem </i that was an eye-opening experience for the whole family.

Working on new post, sorry it's taking me awhile.

Until then, cute picture of DS eating his first crepe:
http://tinyurl.com/2cbebje

Happy Friday!

But I think she'll be quite keen when we hit the Vatican Museum.>>

ttrent - did you know that there is a whole room in the Vatican museums full of what for lack of a better word I will call "willies"? all the bits that were lopped off in rather more prudish times were collected and now have a room to themselves!

you might want to consider whether you take your children into that one!

Annig, I now have something to entice the teenaged girls as well as my little one! Mebe, getting an art book to look through before we leave is a great idea. Look forward to hearing more about your trip!

great details!!!

can't wait to hear more! (and maybe this will inspire me to finish our tr from may)

The apartment looks fabulous!

I was in Musee Rodin one day and there was a school teacher there with her charges who looked to be about 6 years old and they were all sitting on the floor studiously copying a nude. I was so impressed that they weren't giggling etc which I know mine would have done.

Your report is great so far, I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

annhig, when I heard that story, rather than about the Vatican Museum, it was about the British Museum in the Victorian Era, and I do think that is where that emanates, since the Brits were after all the inventors of prudery, and "willies" is an English usage.

travlerjan - I've seen it!

a room full of groins - literally.

we were agog.

Travelerjan, annhig comes by her English usages honestly.

Didn't know that room was on public display. Would have increased my husband's appreciation of the Vatican museums.

Must be off the beaten track.