Paris with Kids

We did it.  We managed to drive to Paris find a hotel to fit us all comfortably and actually have a good time.

There are a few things that are key to this formula.  Most important:

GRANDPARENTS

Having a larger adult to children ratio is key to having a super fabulous time.  However, even with an even or outnumered ratio a good time can be had by all.

This is how we did it.

Plan:  we went this week mostly because my husband could get off work.  It also turned out to be the week that Belgium takes off for Fall break.  This made me worried that Disneyland would be crowded.  Apparently the UK and France had school breaks that week as well but they were finished Thursday.  This meant just us and the Belgians and the occasional short short Germans were at Disneyland (yes, in November).  It was great.  We were able to get on every ride we wanted and stayed from opening (10:00 am to close 7:00 pm).

We went home to a nice big place.  We were able to find an inexpensive room at this timeshare.  I suppose it was low-season.  It was fantastic and there was enough room to play, sleep, eat.  There was an indoor pool, nice playgrounds.  Perfect for families with little ones.  It could sleep six and had two bedrooms but because we love Seth's parents and we wanted them to continue to love us we got two rooms.  Since we drove from Belgium we brought our own food and it was perfect.

We were able to take the train into downtown Paris and it dumped us out right at Arc du Triomphe.  We took a nice walk from there to the Eiffel Tower.  The weather was gorgeous and Fall was in full bloom.  Tiger took an awesome nap at the Eiffel Tower.

At this point my mother-in-law took off her grandma hat and put on her superhero cape and then chased down some pick-pocketers at the Eiffel Tower.  Theives beware when Seth's mom is around!  Turns out they were doing a scam trying to get people to sign a petition and then swiping pockets as you sign.  Beware.

From Eiffel Tower we took a cab to Cathedral of Notre Dame.  It was gorgeous.  Tiger had a hard time with the whole 'silent' concept.  He struggles at our chapel at home so I don't know why I was ambitious that he would somehow be quiet in a Catholic cathedral.  Even so, it was amazing and gorgeous.  I loved the ceilings, the windows, and the devotion that had been put into Notre Dame.  It was beautiful.

At this point we knew we were crazy to try to do more so we took the train home and left the grandparents.  The kids loved the playgrounds and pools and it may have been their favorite part of the trip.

The next day we took it easy and went out the countryside until both Stell and Tiger let us know it was time to leave.

All in all, a great trip and I loved being able to see Paris with the people I love most.