Crepes, Crossaints and Coffee - favorite Paris moments:
- In a brief moment of confusion, Owen folds his hands together as in prayer and says "Namaste" to the French waitress after she had said "Au revoir" to him.
- Jack walking the length of the boat as we cruise the Seine trying to take the perfect picture of the Eiffel Tower (he took the picture on this posting).
- Watching the boys faces and moods change as the lights of the Eiffel Tower illuminate (Jack was grouchy because it was very late and it started to rain AND we had no umbrella).
- Our daily trip to the open air cafe around the corner from our hotel for fresh bread, croissants, coffee and hot chocolate.
- Learning that all the young French girls camped outside our hotel were in fact NOT stalking John but were waiting on the several "French Idols" staying at our little hotel
- Sharing post midnight crepes with Jack (a crepe maniac) and Matt in a small crepier after visiting the Eiffel Tower in the rain.
- Walking, walking and more walking the streets of Paris - miles every day.
- Getting lost on the subway after JUST discussing with John how EASY the French subway is - joke on me.
- Saying goodbye to John at the airport in Paris and watching my son Jack use every ounce of energy to remain stoic while his lower lip trembled.
Best Michigan moments:
- Arriving at our home for the first time and being surprised that the boys just ran into the garage (not the house) and started riding bikes and playing outside - freely.
- Watching all my family and friends dig through the pile of pashminas, scarfs etc. that I brought home. I was surprised how some of the pashminas had real memories attached to them for me (where I bought them, how I haggled - or didn't etc.).
- Realizing I felt as if I've never left AA and knowing for the first time that Ann Arbor is really my home.
- Shopping with Christine, sleep-over's with cousins, canoe trips with uncles and bday parties with family. It's why we live in Michigan.
- Sharing my home with 2 twenty something young men. Ha!
- Seeing Northport for the first time. We had a wonderful time seeing a place that is special to great friends and is now also special to us.
Charlevoix:
- My first coffee on the porch of the rental cottage. Not as good as coffee on Ann and Don's porch but still a wonderful feeling.
- Watching Matt ride off on his bike for his first day at "intermediate gang". The independence he has here is an amazing contrast to his life in India.
- An unplanned evening at Annie and Papa's where just before we leave, Annie runs upstairs to get Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends and within seconds all 3 boys are cuddled up with her, in giggle fits and saying "again, again... read it again".
- Jack and Matt's arrival home from gang for lunch yelling "Hello??? anyone here???" while looking around for their dad. Once I said "upstairs" they burst into a sprint up the stairs yelling "Dad! Dad!" and in the midst of hugs got smothered in shaving cream (John had just arrived in Charlevoix and was shaving!).
- Matt walking in the door shivering and wet, arms folded across his chest after his first sailing regatta. His boat capsized. Matt wasn't happy.
- One week later when Matt advised me on tacking, jibing, knot tying and tipping as I went off for MY first sailing lesson. Matt was very happy.
- Giving Ann and Don their Indian Kurta outfits and watching them walk around the Belvedere looking beautiful and distinguished.
- Finding Jack outside on the lawn with the neighbor Lilly - both sitting in the grass with MacBooks in laps (both were outside in order to hook up to someone's unprotected wireless connection).
- Sailing, playing tennis, shooting off model rockets and sharing bonfires with our friends from CA (Tritschlers).
- One more week in Michigan before we head out to India. When I first got home I was telling people that I was kind of excited about returning to India because of the boys new school, planned excursions etc. but I'm feeling differently right now. Honestly, I'm getting anxious and feeling sad. We've had such a wonderful summer here in Michigan - it's hard to see it end. Jack's birthday celebration is tomorrow - his 9th birthday in Charlevoix - a bit of a tradition. I'll be heading back to India with a 9 year old, almost 7 year old and a 5 year old. Kind of flabbergasting to me. I know it's cliche - but - Life is Good.
- My sister LouAnn and my niece Hannah's visit to India in August. Gives me something really great to look forward to after we return.
1 comment:
We loved seeing all of you and being with you on your last night in Charlevoix. Hope your talk with Andy was fruitful. It sounds like you said all the right things. Have a great time and a good flight back to India. I love our Indian clothes and meant to give you a present in return but you'll have to wait. Kathleen and Sandy won the Husband-Wife golf tournament in a sudden death playoff and guess who had a 5 for a 3 on #1 to WIN - Kathleen!!!! I bought her some fancy new pink golf shoes to celebrate her first golf trophy. Ros and Kate Campaign just won the Venetian Tennis Open Consolation flight so we are feeling like a family of winners. All the gang leaders miss Owen. He is on their list of all time favorite gangsters. Love, Barbie
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