The Travels of the Murnane Family: Paris for Molly's birthday

When we asked Molly what she wanted for her birthday months ago we fully expected her to ask for soccer stuff, Polly Pockets, etc. But she said she wanted to go to Paris. Sure, doesn't every 8 year old want that???
Paris was not high on my list of places to see mostly due to the people I have met from Paris...not the nicest of people. However, the majority of the people we encountered were very nice.
We got into Paris on Saturday and checked into our hotel in the rain. The room we got was by far the smallest we have ever had. All three kids had to sleep on the floor because there was no room for cots. Jack slept under a table and the girls slept on either side of the bed. Michael and I enjoyed a king size bed that was actually pretty comfortable. When the kids asked us why they couldn't sleep in the bed with us Michael was quick to answer "because your name is not on the reservation". The kids of course moaned about how uncomfortable they were on the floor which only made Michael and I laugh harder.

Dinner the first night at an awesome French restaurant. After dinner the waiter brought out ice cream to the kids. The ice cream came in these little animals. The kids right away LOVED France.

Waiting for the trains into Paris. The train system here is incredible! There is no need for a car. you can get anywhere in the city fairly easily and quickly. The trains somewhat freaked me out with how close you can stand and there is no guard rail.

The Louvre. We didn't go in because of course it was raining and we would have had to stand in line for at least an hour in the rain and then go in to see art that the kids could really care less about. So we peaked through this window and saw some cool sculptures.

Ahhhh look it's raining again. We're in front of the glass pyramid in front of the Louvre.

Notre Dame cathedral in Paris (more rain). This was about as close as we got. We had plans to go in, but the kids weren't real big on standing in line in the rain to go to church (as Jack put it). That makes a parent proud!

Reason one we didn't go into the cathedral.

More of a reason we didn't go into the cathedral. The line was huge!!

Molly was bored in the room and Michael was telling her when he was on hockey trips they used to do handstands on the wall and then do push ups. We were all curious if he could still do it. He did two and pulled a couple muscles in the process.

If dad can do it so can I...

Ahhh the gift that she didn't expect... her violin.

Waiting in line for the Eiffel Tower (yes it rained).

First stop was the second floor of the tower. Due to the rain they posted that the top was not open. Once we got to the 2nd floor we realized the top was open. Michael and Jack were thrilled, Molly and I were freaked out and Gracie was quiet.

Crap...we're going up there???

The top...we made it. The elevator up was a glass elevator. I wanted to puke, Molly was petrified, Jack and dad thrilled and Gracie once again quiet...oh and yes it's still raining.

The boys at the top.

View from the top.

If you look closely I think my knuckles are white!

Ahhh the French are so smart, beer served in the tower! An immediate mood lifter!

Chips for the kids, beer for the adults!

Looking up the Champs Elysees at the Arc de Triumphe (very small at the end of the picture). Thanks to the copious amount of rain this was as close as we got to the Arc.