Oklahoma

I wish I could think of something witty or charming, but I'm just reeling over what's happening in Oklahoma.

It's just beyond devastating.

I'll be praying, I hope you will too.

It's all unicorns and rainbows over here...

At least in Maddy's world.  I love that I have a 10 year old girl in this house that isn't into Instagram and Kik and Vine or Facebook.  She's into unicorns.  

Keep them little as long as you can, that's my mantra.

And Jack?  It's still all hockey, all the time.

Emma?  Well, let's just say that we went shopping yesterday to look for birthday ideas for the soon to be 6 year old.  It's all stuffies, dolls and dresses.  Perfect.

Lang-lay...

When we were on the train to Windsor, Jack got a kick out of all of the train stop names.  He loved this one the most.

If the video is being stupid, you can go here to see it...

http://youtu.be/_cLo-Xda4HA

This is 40...

Have you seen this movie?  I know.  It came out in December.  I didn't see it in December so cut me some slack.

I saw it last month, and then on the plane to London, and home from Paris, watched it two more times.

I love this movie.  Maybe it's because I'm 40 41.  I got a lot of the humor.  I love Maude and Iris Apatow (the girls who play their daughters, who are actually Leslie Mann's (and Judd Apatow's) daughters.  I've always loved Paul Rudd.

I'm sure you've seen it, but if not, see it again.

What Maddy Wore Wednesday...

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what Maddy wore at the Tower Bridge in London.  And it's fabulous...

And of course, when one is wearing such a great spinning skirt, one must spin...

Europe Part Deux

Here we go, part 2!

Monday morning we took the Eurostar from the St. Pancras Station in London, through the English Channel Tunnel into the Gare Nord in Paris.  Again, hotel -> clothes change -> out the door.

First stop, the Louvre.  We didn't go in, I've been there a few times and it's an all day thing (actually we were told by our boat tour guide the next day that if you spent 5 seconds at each work of art at the Louvre it would take you two months (using all 24 hours in a day) to see it all.  We didn't have that kind of time.).

From the Louvre we headed through the Tuileries, one of my favorite places in Paris.  The picture below?  I've taken that picture 3 times, during 3 separate trips.  It's becoming a thing now!

We grabbed a much needed meal at Café Diane in the Tuileries.  Mad and Jack had crepes and from that moment on, Jack was hooked on crêpes avec beurre et sucre (crepes with butter and sugar).

Then, after a few metro stops, the moment Jack has been waiting for his whole life.  Seven. Whole. Years (give or take the few where he had no idea what it was...).  The Eiffel Tower.

 Ham salad.

After a visit to the Trocadero we headed out to dinner then called it a night (that's what happens when you eat dinner at 10pm).

We woke up the next day and had breakfast outside.  Paris is always eating outside.  Rain, hot, cold.  Outside.

The next day we decided on a boat tour on the Seine.  Perfect decision as it was a beautiful day (every day of our trip was, in fact, perfect weather-wise).

A long, slow trip down the river was the perfect fix for the go-go-go we'd been operating under the previous week.

Then we headed to the Conciergerie, a medieval prison where Marie Antoinette spent her final days.

 Then.  Lunch.  Outdoor cafe.  I mean, we're in Paris!!!!

 A little shopping...

 Then a little time relaxing at the Palais et Jardins du Luxembourg.

 Then (I'm getting tired all over again...) Sacre Coeur and Montmartre.

I noted in my Instagram account that this was the first place I visited when my husband and I first visited Paris over 15 years ago.  Still amazing.

 Then, our last metro trip, back to the hotel.

 Et c'est tout!

I'm exhausted all over again...

Europe - Part 1

To begin, let me just say this is not a 27 part series.  No.  I'll sum up our vacation in 2 posts.  Count em',  2.  Part one is all London.  Part two - Paris.

We arrived in London Thursday morning, headed to the hotel for a shower and clothing change and headed right out!  Our hotel was right around the corner from Big Ben, Parliament, and The London Eye so it was a quick walk to our first stop!

A few minutes down the road we found St. James' Park, and it was in full bloom.  My garden totally looks like this.  For real.

A little more walking took us to Buckingham Palace.  We didn't see the Queen, William, Kate or Harry (who was in the US while we were in London...really Harry!?!?!).  They were all "busy".

 Even the cabs are cooler!!

 The next day we headed out to The National Museum of History (after a delicious pub lunch of fish n' chips).  The museum was incredible (the pic below was taken inside the museum).

After the museum we headed to Harrods's for a little shopping and an afternoon snack.

Once we finished there we headed to London Tower and Tower Bridge.  In case you're wondering where it is, we pointed it out for you...

Then we did a quick What Maddy Wore photo shoot (post to come this Wednesday, back on schedule)!

On Saturday we decided to take a train to Windsor to visit the town and castle (the Queen's favorite castle apparently - because she has so many ya know...).

Sunday we headed to Covent Garden and while Sherri, my mom and Maddy shopped, Jack and I chilled and watched some street performers.

Then we all headed to Kensington Palace where Madeline was made a Master of the Dance, and Jack a Yeoman of the Guard (after each passing 3 tests a piece).

 Tomorrow...Paris!!

P.S.  All photos are unedited - I'm too tired and lazy at the moment but you get the gist of what we did minus the crappy photos.

P.P.S.  Here's a gift for reading the whole post...a post card from Jack.