Picnic in the Park

Today was a fabulous day in Levallois, the kind of early spring day that helps you get through the rest of winter (although they haven't had much winter here).  At 20 degrees Celsius, which is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, it feels like a summer day; people go outside in short-sleeved tee shirts, everyone brings a blanket and some food and goes to a park, boats are on the Seine, the sun is shining and the sky is oh so blue.  We left for the Bois de Boulogne at 12:30, which was about two hours too late, as the rest of Paris was already there, and parked.

Supremely lucky, we pulled over to let everyone but Matthew out of the car so he could go to find a parking place, and in just that minute a place opened up right behind us!  We joined the throngs of families and friends spending a glorious Sunday in the park.  I have never seen the Bois de Boulogne so crowded.  It was just one of those days after a long winter, you simply must be outside.  A few things we saw:  some athletic young men walking a "tightrope" that, while not very far off the ground, was very narrow and challenging; lots of kids chasing balls, picking up pine cones, running, walking, sleeping, jumping, chasing and hugging; a few men with no shirts on, who should have known better; bicycles and scooters everywhere; a few children riding ponies; lots of people paddling canoes on the lakes; older people in their Sunday best, out for a stroll (they must have been so hot!); families and groups of all shapes, sizes and colors; some people in tank tops and shorts, others in winter coats.  It was a feast for the eyes, and for the soul.

Juliet fell sound asleep in the car on the way home.  Matthew and Jeanne were able to get James to sleep too, so the whole family had naps once we got home.  Fresh air and sunshine is a good recipe for sleep!  After nap time we Skyped with Grandpa, cooked dinner, had baths, ate dinner, had story time and went to bed (James, Juliet and Matthew).  Jeanne and I stayed up and got ready for Monday.  Tomorrow James and I will be here almost all day, by ourselves.  The girls will go with Colleen to Noemi's apartment after dance class; James and I will pick Juliet up there at 6:30.

The days go by, and we don't do much, yet the time goes by quickly, the memories accumulate.  You remember the squeal and the giggle when a little tummy is tickled.  You can still feel the soft kiss on your cheek, and the skinny but strong hugging arms of a little girl.  You are glad when asked, "Grandma, will you color with me?"  You know you will forget the sensation of holding a five-month-old in your arms, but you will never forget the love, the heart-stopping, all-consuming, forever and ever love you feel for this child.  I was afraid that I loved Juliet so much I could never love another child in that way, but it turns out that instead of halving my love, it has doubled.  I cannot believe how blessed I am to have Juliet and James.