My Daughter's Taking Me To Paris

Recently when my daughter stayed with my parents, I learned that it's not only about two-ice-cream-cones-before-bed, but that traveling destinations seem to arise in conversation. Apparently, there was a discussion about going to Paris, France. Umm, I'm in! But before getting ahead of myelf here, maybe I should break it down as to how this conversation came about.

Between my four year old daughter and her Gigi (my mother):

Mom reading Audriana a book...

Mom: See that picture on the wall? 

Audriana: Mmm hmm. What is that?

Mom: That's the Eiffel Tower.

Audriana: The fiffil tower? What is the fiffil tower?

Mom: It's in Paris, France.

Dad in the background... "Who wants to go to Paris, France?!"

Audriana: I wanna go to Paris, France!

Mom: Oh, no Paris is more for grown ups not children. (Nice, mom)

Audriana's eyes fill with tears, she lays her head down and sobs. 

Mom: .....what's wrong sweetie???

Audriana (still sobbing): I want to go to Pairs, France...... (sobbing continues)

Mom: Well, maybe Pop (my dad) will take you some day!!

Audriana (sniffling): .......ok.

This is where it was decided that I was partaking in this little Euro-trip. Oh, did I not mention that I actually invited myself? Ok, well I did. So this is how that went:

Audriana: Mommy! Pop's going to take me to Paris, France!

ME: I'm sorry, what?

Audriana: Pop is taking me to Paris, France!

Looking back a dad, he smiles with that expression "yea, that's what I told her" ....

ME: Well, Audriana let me tell you something ... (sternly pointing my finger) ... you can't fly all that way by yourself, so you tell your Pop that mommy has to come with you. Understand?

Audriana: Yes ma'am.

And that folks, is how I weaseled myself into this not yet dated trip to Paris, France. Although I have to credit my daughter for coordinating it all. The tears? Well played, my dear. Well played.

Lions, Tigers & Bears... OH MY!

Yes, Erika - if you're reading this - my post title may look familiar. 

Well, this Tuesday adventure was most deserving of its own post!! One of my best friends, and her son (my godson) along with myself and little one, took a trip to our local zoo.

Not my most flattering angle, but it's surely overlooked by Max licking his mother's face, yes?

Needless to say, it was a combination of excitement and exhaustion - for the parents. Regardless, it was an absolute blast!! The weather was even kind to us, and never shed an ounce of rain - which was the current weather status; in which case we appreciated the false prediction. We tried capturing as many photo ops possible, given the undeniably precious moments and personalities portrayed.   

 ...and when I say personalities, this is what I mean...

Probably one of my favorite moments, was the "clinging for life" photos of my dearest friend, and our kiddos - one in desperate need to be held, while the other was being pulled out of another family's picture.

She may have needed an extra hand. Where was I, you ask?... umm, who else was going to capture these priceless moments? 

And given we are both moms, this happened on occasion...  

I can't recall if it was intentional, or just maternal instinct to grab hold of a nearby stroller. 

It happens. 

We're lucky our kids are close in age, and have been able to grow with one another; although, one year is quite a difference, especially between a boy and a girl. Nonetheless, they have fun together and I'm blessed for that relationship - and that of mine and Erika's... I've known her from when we were our kids' age.

That's a crazy reality. 

Heart-to-Heart

Since as far back as I can remember, finding anything (and I mean anything) shaped like a heart, meant snapping a photo and immediately sending it to my mom - and vice versa!! It's something special the two of us share.

To save time, I'll only display the most recent of our finds:

(1) Crouton (2) Cereal (3) Sea Shell (4) A magazine ad full of heart-shaped items. Heaven!! 

The symbol not only seems to represent "love", but to me, it also represents a bond; something that should never be broken. When you look at a broken heart on paper, it's literally in pieces - not the way bonds are intended.

By definition, a bond simply means: "...to be joined securely to something else." 

A heart, in two, does not abide by such terms; therefore, it shan't be broken.

...but such is life.

Moving on to a happier note - happy blog! - as previously stated, a heart is most certainly known for the symbol of "love". It seems to always bring an immediate cheerful feeling to those who see that little symbol - especially when it's unintentional (our favorite)! Just a little photo of a heart-shaped object can turn my day around in a second!

In closing, here are a few more sweet, heart-shaped moments. 

(talk about the perfect match; coffee AND a heart - I'm trying to contain myself)

Good day to you all!! 

photo credit: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7