There are Places I Remember

I love the words to the Beatles song, In My Life. "There are place I remember, in my life, though some have changed. Some forever, not for better, but in my life I've loved them all." Traveling for me  connects me deeply with places. Some of the places I have visited through my travels I can vividly bring myself back to. Sounds, smells, textures, it all stays alive in my memory. These experiences enrich me deeply. It feeds the soul. For me London is one of those places that have become engrained in my soul. It seems crazy to think 10 years ago I was a young art student terrified and empowered by the independence of living in London for study abroad. The days walking around in the city by myself, riding the subway, seeing the architecture, seeing a new world, all on my own completely changed me life.  In 10 years life can change dramatically, and mine definitely has! Now My days are rather mundane, though glorious and joyful, taking care of my two small children. It seems worlds away to be free and roaming a foreign country. So when my sister proposed going together it seemed to good to be true. It was difficult to grant myself permission to indulge in something like that again. It was hard leaving my little children and taking a leap of faith, that maybe they don't depend on me as much as I think they do.  So I flew off to London, on my won to meet up with my sister. And it was perfect. 

Here is Hyde Park, just around the corner from where I lived as a student in Notting Hill on Palace Court. This was a lovely trip because we weren't rushed to pack in all the big tourist attractions, rather, we were able to show each other the cities we both come to love on our study abroad. It wasn't stressful, it was rejuvenating. 

After Hyde Park we headed to Harrod, which for some reason I never went to during my study abroad.  It was visually dazzling, bustling, and glorious. We picked some lovely cakes and had a picnic at the park.

We went to St Pauls Cathedral

And the famous Portobello Market

I can still smell the fresh cooked gyro's and crepes and fresh cut flowers. 

And of course had my fill of world class art, which I NEVER get to see. 

I took my sister to Kew Gardens, We walked until our feet couldn't take another step

Just as beautiful as I remembered it.  Then we said goodbye to London and flew to Paris

St Chappell was one of my favorite cathedrals, and my sister hadn't seen it before so we made a stop.

And don't worry, we ate plenty of macarons

Paris, you are a charmer!

We took a short train to Giverney, where Monet lived. This was easily one of the highlights of the trip. Pictures can't even begin to capture the beauty. We were right at peak season for peonies, poppies, iris and roses. Exquisite.

Monet really knew how to live I'll tell you what! Everywhere you looked you could find inspiration.

The water lili garden looked right out of a painting

And the town of Giverney itself was beyond charming

When we got back to Paris we stopped by the Orangerie to see the masterpieces of Monet, his enormous water lili paintings. And while admittedly Monet has never been my very favorite after seeing these paintings and his residence I truly can see his genius. These may be among the most impressive pieces of art I have ever seen in person.

On my previous trip to Paris I never made it to the Arch D'triumph so We rectified that.

Time for more Macarons!

And I'll take one of each please. 

We saw plenty of inspiring art in Paris, including the always wonderful Musee D'Orsay. I loved watching this gentleman paint.  We also went to the Pompideu which was probably one of my favorite art stops of our trip. So much interesting work being produced! It really motivated and inspired me to work hard and keep trekking in my little artistic journey. Even though I am moving at a snails pace I am moving!

We saw so many beautiful, wonderful, and truly amazing things on our trip. I loved every stop and every new and old thing we saw. So to my fabulous sister who made this trip possible, THANK YOU! Thank you for reminding me that I am not just a mommy, and for helping me replenish my soul. Of course by the end of the trip I was really missing my babies and it was so good to get back to them, but it was also nice to have a little break to return to my roots where I found myself as an artist 10 year ago.

Surprise!

We have been keeping a little secret the last few months, and we finally spilled the beans to the kids.  They couldn't have been happier.  Thomas said, "It keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger and then POP! The baby comes out of your belly button. And its going to be a boy! And we can name him Thomas the tank engine! And he can sleep in my room!" The excitement was too much to contain.

The baby is due April 26th, the same due date that my mom had with me, ironically. We'll see if this one comes on time or makes us wait like Caroline. It may be a May baby. I'm pretty happy that I am out of the first trimester. It wasn't as rough as my pregnancy with Thomas, but it wasn't as easy as my pregnancy with Caroline. So I'm pretty unsure if this is going to be a little girl or a little boy. We are pretty excited about it!

Halloween!

 We had a very fun and spooky Halloween this year. The kids are at such fun ages and they got really excited and really into everything. Here we are a few days before Halloween carving our pumpkins.

 Caroline wanted a pink pumpkin. This was the closest we could find, but she was satisfied.  She also opted to color her pumpkin rather than carve it.

 Thomas was fascinated with the process. He drew his face and helped me hallow it out while I carved it for him.

 And the goo was his favorite part

Mr Tom and his pumpkin

 Pop and his pumpkin. The resemblance is uncanny

 The papa really likes his lady

 Hello in there!

 On Halloween, Thomas had  a soccer game. The kids were allowed to wear their costumes and play. Thomas has refused to play every single game so far.... However, Caroline is quite interested in participating!

Grammy had a halloween breakfast parade. This was the best pic I could get of these wild kiddos.

And here he is: Fireman Thomas. He has pretty persisent  about me making him a firetruck. I told him if he would help me we could make one together. He was pretty excited about it. There were plenty of other firemen out there, but none as cool as this guy! And he knew it! He is already plotting his policeman/police car suit for next year :) I may have gotten myself into trouble with that tractor a few years back.

 The little boys face was worth all the work. He was so happy!

 And here is Ariel! Isn't she cute?

 And here is Winnie the Pooh. Caroline had somehow gotten it in her mind that Clint was going to be winnie the pooh for halloween. And this girl has her dad wrapped around her finger, so he made a quick costume and the lady was pleased.

And the best part of halloween: Trick or Treating! Such a magical experience for little kids! So much fun. Caroline kept saying, "Papa, there is no such things as ghosts."  And one spooky house that was all decorated she said, "This house is HAUNTED!" She was a bit nervous. We didn't make it to too many houses, because about halfway down the hill at one house Thomas was seconds away from pulling down his pants to go to the bathroom on someones bushes! So we hurried home and the kids had fun spending the rest of the night handing out halloween candy to the trick or treaters.