karenleila's Profile

I'm not religious, but when I was a kid my family always hung a mezuzah on the doorpost before we moved anything into the house. I've done this in every apartment I've ever lived in- I hang the mezuzah, say the prayer, and immediately plug in my iPod stereo. It's home when I've moved my mezuzah, I guess!

Speaking from experience as an au pair in Paris-- umbrella stroller if you can, and a backpack carrier is even better. I watched two of the sweetest little French toddlers, who lived relatively near the Eiffel Tower and always wanted to go to the manège there (very important word: manège means carousel!). This meant a really intense walk through busy traffic with a heavy double stroller (and no elevator). I got very strong lugging 2 kids up 7 flights of stairs and pushing a double stroller up the often very high curbs- but found some great stuff in the neighborhood. I love love loved taking the kids to the outdoor garden of the Rodin museum (the grounds used to be free in the afternoons if you brought your kids, but their website doesn't advertise this so I'd ask), and also a lovely walled garden on rue de Babylone (Jardin Catherine-Labouré). The garden is a perfect spot for your husband to take the kids for a break while you go to Bon Marché! Seriously, you should do it-- Bon Marché has beautiful window displays and is a very fun fancy treat for your eyes even if you don't buy anything, and the garden is a great example of family life in Paris. Also, the basement at the Bon Marché has kids books and toys, in case you want to bring home a French songbook or storybook! Have fun!