As the metro stop "Luxembourg" approached, I felt this little momentary need to scream. As in exhilarating moment of excited inner bliss sort of screaming.  Here I was in Paris, almost ready to get off in the "neighborhood", almost ready to get off and say hello to a glimmer of my life that I had loved so much. Had it really been 10 years since my boots hit the Paris pavement? Surely not?! Yes it's true. I had changed planes in Paris on my way to here and there but I hadn't gotten off to enjoy the sites in 10 whole years.  The last time I was here, the three amigos looked like this.

 
(the children in our elevator in Paris)

and this.

As I was walking towards the market a text arrived saying,"Mom, tell us if any-thing's changed."  It was then that a million little memories came flooding back to me.

The girls always knew we were close to home when they would see this sign.

How many times did we walk to this little market to buy little"O" his favorite cookies?

Early each morning I was greeted with Mimi's little face saying,"Momma, I think the croissants are done now. Can we go get some?" It was during our time in Paris that Mimi became a croissant connoisseur. No kidding. Do not think you will pass off  mushy croissants on this Mimi girl and call them French. She also loves her croissants warm and the only way you get those are by getting there at 7 a.m., otherwise it's not a croissant.

Friday's were always special with a treat from our favorite sweet shop.

 
Often times we were greatly delayed by a stop at the second hand bookshop.

 
As a family one of our great loves is of crepes. Crepes-a-go-go holds many  happy moments for us. As I would go to the various markets daily with ever changing family members, I would deliberately cross the street before we even came near Crepes-a-go go. My husband was the worst. "I can't resist", he would say. "How can you resist?" he would ask me and my answer was always very simple," All of those crepes a-go-go will have gone gone to my derrière." I didn't eat here this time though because I was sure it would be interpreted as absolute betrayal.

 
 
As I walked down the street from Crepes-a-go-go yet another conversation popped up in my head and that was a constant parley between my girls as they would pass the greatest art store ever. It's not that it's the biggest art store you've ever seen but it's so , well artistic.

 
Everyday my daughters would ask me to buy these art figure models. They would stand at the window and just look and desire these little moveable people. It wasn't long before we noticed that everyday our little wooden friends were in different positions. "I bet they move at night when the store is closed." Zaina said. "I'm sure they come alive when everyone's gone." Mimi echoed. So mes chéries, your friends are still here waving at you. I didn't buy them for you this time either because they belong here in the window where they are waiting for you to come back and say Bonjour.

(Note to my girls)     So no my sweet babies, nothing has changed except the next time you come to Paris you will no longer be small children with wonder in your eyes but young women who will be inspired from your past here to create your present moments. I wish for you as many wonderful memories of our time together as you've given me.

All of these most cherished memories were coming back to me as I made my way to the market when all of a sudden I took a detour which ended up creating the theme of this Paris visit.

 More tomorrow friends.