Happy weekend! Everything is starting to feel so surreal here. We only have a couple weeks left and I get sort of weepy every time I eat a croissant or look at the Seine. I took the boys to the park and they both just randomly stopped and sat down together so I snapped this photo. I wonder if they (or mostly Moses) will remember any of this. Sigh… What are you doing this weekend? Anything fun?
I also write for Babble.com. Here are my posts this week.
I want every single one of these.
These are super cool. Do they hurt your eyes?
The new Bando Collection is out and it is amazing.
This awesome dress up doll. (BTW: My mom wouldn’t buy me a Barbie so I had to save up for one. Did you have a Barbie?)
Wooden tops from Etsy.
Kate Bueler
April 13, 2012
I bet Moses remembers it (or blurs of it.) My niece Sophie went to New Zealand for 3 months when when she was almost three. She still talks about her time there and that a couple of years ago.
Enjoy your remaining weeks!
Anni
April 13, 2012
Can’t believe your time in Paris is almost up! I’ve so enjoyed reading your journey there, and I love seeing that it can be done in a way other than the traditional college student/backpacking way. Gives me hope for my future travels! I hope you enjoy the rest of your time, and I know that even if they can only remember snippets, your boys will look fondly on the time.
tabitha
April 13, 2012
My parents lived in London for a year before moving to America, and my brother (2 at the time) does remember small small snippets of it. What helps is all the photos he has of himself (this was back in the 70s). So all the photos you have will keep their memories alive. I visited Europe at age 3, later, for a few weeks and remember quite a bit.
unfounddoor
April 13, 2012
I reckon Moses will remember too. I think its a a wonderful gift to have given them, to experience a different culture so young.
Erin
April 13, 2012
I went to Sinapore for 3 months when I was 2 and then again when I was 3. In all honesty, I don’t really remember it except for a few moments here and there. But I do believe that it has influenced the person I’ve become. I’m much braver; I’m not into dangerous things- still always safety first- but I’m more adventurous than a lot of my friends and change doesn’t freak me out.
I think they’ll carry the experience with them forever, even if they don’t explicitly remember much.
Enjoy the last few weeks!
C'est moi
April 13, 2012
I spent about 6 weeks in Holland with my parents when I was 4 years old and have district memories of certain events there. What an experience for your boys! And guess what? You’ll be able to return in the future.
Ps on a more superficial note, wherever did you find those cute matching trenchcoats??
unfounddoor
April 13, 2012
ooh, PS – I bet you have, but have you visited the Musée de la chasse et de la nature ? So weird, so educational, curated so nicely!
Seriously Sassy Mama
April 13, 2012
It is too beautiful to forget. How lucky you were to get to live there!
Jennifer
April 13, 2012
What a beautiful picture of such happy times 🙂
Marloes
April 13, 2012
Beautiful how kids can be so poetical without them even knowing it! Lovely photograph.
I gave an IXXI print of a beautiful old map of Amsterdam to a friend. I love the way it turned out and ordering was super easy (plus not all that expensive) You can see the map in the background on these photographs (http://specu-laas.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-colored-wires.html) Maybe it’s an idea to create the same thing but then with a map of Paris?
The contrast between such a modern way of displaying art and an historical map is really nice me thinks 🙂
robync
April 13, 2012
I know what you mean, I just moved back to the states after 3 years in Germany and I miss it like crazy! Your boys are beautiful I wish I had taken a pic like this of my boys when we went to Paris I love it!!
http://knownitwasyou.blogspot.com/
Maria
April 13, 2012
I DID have a Barbie, but I think I regret having one as a child, because you grow up with so high standards, that you won’t ever be able to meet them! Even though, it was nice to dress them! (Everything fit so PERFECTLY!)
😀 I hope you treasure some last memories in Paris before you leave for San Francisco!
That picture is really amazing, by the way. When I have kids, I want these kind of pictures taken, LIKE EVERY SINGLE DAY! 🙂
meagan
April 13, 2012
what a sweet, sweet photo!
xo the egg out west.
Patricia
April 13, 2012
You are doing such an amazing thing for your children. Even if they don’t have clear memories of Paris, they’ll remember sounds, smells and tastes, and they’ll have a connection to a place and will want to return. The photos will become memories and they’ll grown up knowing their parents did something brave and magical.
Congratulations on living your life to the fullest! (And taking us along on the journey)
Sarah
April 13, 2012
Awww how sweet they just sat down together =) I bet your oldest will remember a bit. So glad you had this experience
– Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
Katie
April 13, 2012
ok, where did you get the little coats!? Adorable boys…I love your blog!! Enjoy your last weeks in Paris, it is amazing.
Tara
April 13, 2012
Oh what a perfect snapshot of that moment. What a great picture to remember Paris by. Enjoy your final moments there!!
Sarah @ Williamsburg Baby
April 13, 2012
There was a great story on Slate abou how kids’ early childhood memories (after 2, but before, say, 5) have a lot to do with how much the parent talks to them about special memories. It seems that if you keep reinforcing it, they will remember for a long time!
Hilary
April 13, 2012
I will miss the fact that you are all living in Paris, I currently work as a Visual Merchandiser from the UK however i tend to work alot in paris and i find your blog so interesting as you point things out to me that i wouldn’t always see. Thank you, and i wish you all the best for your move back to the states.
Moses will definatly remeber this fantastic expericene you have given him!
Kind regards
Hilary 🙂
Freya
April 13, 2012
This picture is just so perfect! What a great moment to catch on film! I hope they remember this part of their lives…how amazing that you got to share this with them!
Melanie
April 13, 2012
I always loved my Barbies much more than my dolls. I was a child of the 70s/early 80s and I WISH I still had my Barbies. I had a Cher doll! And all of Charlie’s Angels! 🙂
Judy Havrilla@cuteanduseful.com
April 13, 2012
Oh gosh, at first I thought you meant wooden tops, as in, like a shirt or something! Wood-n’t (sorry, pun) that be funny? I love the toy tops in the gentleman’s Etsy shop, though. Very reasonably priced! I’ll bet he can get more in time, the shop only opened last November.
http://www.cuteanduseful.com
Kelleyn
April 13, 2012
Yes, I had barbies, but my mom me a doll similar to this when I was little. Though it wasn’t a chick as this one because it was themed after little house in the prarie. Love the doll. Have you heard of Jess Brown. she does really cool fabric dolls too an recently gave away her pattern in Martha Stewarts February issue.
lenya
April 13, 2012
I would be sad too if I was leaving Paris. But at least you are going to have memories that will last a lifetime (oh that sounds so corny but its true!)
Martha @ MHW Interiors
April 13, 2012
your boys are just adorable in their little khaki coats. even if they don’t remember, at least you have the best pictures of them to show them later. (and i’m sure you’ll visit again with them.)
tabitha
April 13, 2012
OMG- are those baby (well toddler) trenches?!
Love love love them and this photo is divine!
You’re kids are gonna have THE BEST photos to remember their time in Paris,
even if they don’t remember too much themselves!
Tanya H
April 13, 2012
I’m sooo depressed that you’re leaving Paris, and well, Europe altogether. We, as your readers, have truly been blessed to take part in this journey thanks to your beautiful blog and willing family. I think I’ll go into a time of grieving after your sister leaves, as well.
Ahhh, back to the Bay area—which is also a gorgeous place to live and the stomping grounds of my childhood. It seems as though you keep living where I have left a portion of my heart. Eat, smell, and experience everything in slow motion during these last few weeks–it’s amazing how quickly it all starts to fade. And just like that, you will become a visitor again and not a resident. (insert weeping and wailing)
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
April 14, 2012
You have been on an amazing adventure and I’ve loved reading about it! I think Moses will remember parts of it. Also, you have given them the gift of knowing you can do something amazing like this!
Kathryn Cumming
April 14, 2012
Your boys look gorgeous in there matching trench coats!
I’m planning on having a picnic tomorrow…unfortunately not in front of the eiffel tower….
nic {luzia pimpinella}
April 14, 2012
oh… no wonder you feel weepy. paris is so amazing… just came back from another trip to this most beautiful city. it must be hard for you to leave… you’ll probably leave a tiny piece of your heart there…
nic
Rebecca
April 14, 2012
Oh I get how you feel, it works every way around : I was so crushed to come back to Paris after spending a year in Vancouver !
(yep, even Paris seems crappy at times 🙂
I hope you have a lovely weekend, today was kind of sunny…
Tomorrow : BRUNCH !
Jeanne Greenwald
April 14, 2012
My mom wouldn’t buy me a Barbie either! She thought they were, “too mature.”. When Barbie had her 35th anniversary, she bought me the commemorative watch saying, “I think you’re old enough for Barbie now!”. I loved that watch and still have it.
Iveta
April 15, 2012
Oh Jordan, I so know what you mean. We are also leaving beautiful Vancouver in two weeks. Moving after 8 years. Every time I get a tear in my eye, thinking this might be the last time doing something or being somewhere, I try to remember what a full life we lived here. It is always bitter-sweet.
Ashish
April 15, 2012
Awesome
Luna
April 15, 2012
No Barbies either. But the lovely toy-store manager would let me play with them anytime.
Thank you for sharing your Paris adventures with your readers. Looking forward to what San Francisco has to offer you too, this time around.
worcestershire campervan hire
April 15, 2012
I’m sooo depressed that you’re leaving Paris, and well, Europe altogether. We, as your readers, have truly been blessed to take part in this journey thanks to your beautiful blog.
J @ ... semplicemente ... j
April 15, 2012
It definitely looks like a happy weekend indeed!
Callie
April 15, 2012
that’s such a sweet picture! It must be hard having to leave such a beautiful place!
Marie
April 16, 2012
What a beautiful photo! 🙂
http://www.happypaperplace.com/
Shelby
April 16, 2012
This is just precious. Precious Moment. Precious Children. Precious Post.
Thank you!
Carly
April 16, 2012
I lived in Paris for a year, and that last month was a constant tearfest for me. I’d weep for no reason (or than, you know, leaving Paris). I felt so sad, and then I’d tell myself not to be so blue and ruin my last memories. But I still cried a lot.
Elisa
April 17, 2012
The boys are so cute!
As a long-time expat, I have been where you are. Leaving a place you love is hard, even if it’s not “supposed” to be home, often it feels more home than were we were born.
Enjoy your last two weeks in Paris, and just think of all the adventures and the travel you still have ahead of you!
Karen
April 17, 2012
My husband and I just got back from a week in Paris with our seven month old. Your blog was so helpful when planning our trip. Inspired by you, we had a picnic by the Eiffel Tower and I think it was one of my favorite days! Thank you! And I totally understand how hard it will be to leave. We definitely wanted to stay longer.
Eva @ Sycamore Street Press
April 22, 2012
Gorgeous photo! Makes me happy. 🙂 Good luck with the move and everything, Jordan.