different names for the same thing: Bits and Pieces

Saturday was another “get things done” day. Dave got up and went on a “Paris Walk” while I continued packing. He walked around the area north west of the Louvre (up by the Opera and then back down). The walk ended at the English bookstore next to the concord metro stop, so he got a new map book because we put the one that came with the apartment to good use and it shows! The book store is right across from his favorite chocolate shop, so of course he stopped in there, too.
I left to run errands when he returned. My final errand was buying a giant suitcase to hold all of our Paris purchases. I had to drag that big thing up and down subway stairs and then up the 8 flights to our apartment. I was feeling grateful that we stayed in one place for 6 weeks so that I didn’t have to haul our big suitcases all over Europe! Our little ones were perfect for our short trips.
We decided to try a new place for lunch today, one that was recommended by our agency and all kinds of book reviews. Cafe de L'industrie. It was really good! There was a cat that apparently lived in the restaurant because it was wandering around under the tables. We were feeling sad that we had not tried it earlier as it was not just good, but close to our home (and not crazy expensive either). Oh well. There have been/will be a lot of those moments these next few days!
After lunch, we went back and got a few more things done before I headed out to have my hair done. Dave and Dillon took another “Paris Walk” card out and once again discovered some hidden treasures along the way. They walked around the Palace Royal and roads north of the Louvre. The covered walkway was super cool with beautiful tiled floors and nice old shops. The palace had a great garden courtyard that you wouldn’t know was so close to the major streets around it. At the end of the walk, they walked past Scoop, and ice cream shop, and got milkshakes because they had a super sale going on. It turned out that they were closing for August in 5 minutes, so they were getting rid of the inventory. It was super good, and Dillon was really sad he couldn’t bring the family back to try it out.
My hair was another total adventure. My appointment was at 4:30, but I called at 4, just to make sure the stylist was even there. He was, but running behind and asked me to come at 5. I show up at 5, and it is still 45 minutes before he starts on my hair. Well, then he proceeds to dye it 3 different times! It was beyond red the first time he did it, so he tried again, still red, then one last time. Now it is just a very deep purple. GROSS!! I had him cut it as well. I just have to keep telling myself that this will all grow out and hopefully someday be back to something that resembles a normal color. The guy was so nice, but I was there for 3.5 hours and am hating the hair. Lesson learned!
Anyway, I called at 8:30 and we all met up at the crepe shop for dinner. It started TOTALLY pouring when we were done and we had no coats or umbrellas (so much for my hairdo ;)) We hustled home, picked up coats and umbrellas, and then walked over to Amorino’s for one last gelato. So sad to leave all of these things behind!
We came home, got the kids to bed, and did some more packing and organizing. I am getting super sad to leave!