Put My Money Where My Mouth Is

Which reminds me ... holy cow was I scared getting into the car and leaving the house with 5 suitcases, three carry-ons and the two most precious things I have -- Leah and Alice. (And David, too!)

It has always been a dream of mine to live in Europe. It's was an ambition Dave and I shared but never thought we'd do.

And now, here I was dragging my kids away from their routines, cousins, beloved grandparents, toys (!) and taking them on this adventure that they might not want. Might not even enjoy. Not to mention the worries over safety. Comfort. Natural disasters! Oye!

But now it was time. The opportunity was there. And we jumped. Put my money where my mouth is. I've always wanted this, so suck it up, right?

Then, as we were pulling out of the driveway and I felt near vomiting, I looked at this incredibly huge smile on Leah's face. "I'm so excited, Mommy!"

Yeah, she's my kid alright!

The PLAN

Gah! I just got a email from my Grams asking "Germany? Wah?" and I realized I may have been slightly lax in letting my own family in on the details of this exciting adventure we're embarking on in a few short weeks.

What: My lovely husband David requested an "exchange" to go work out of his company's Berlin headquarters and after about a year, they approved the move. It was originally four weeks and it quickly ballooned to seven weeks. I was fortunately granted a leave of absence from my full-time job.

Where: They're getting us corporate housing in the Mitte neighborhood of Berlin and a little car (complete with car seats).

More Where: David has meetings in Paris and Milan during that time, so we're going to tag-along. I had many times imagined trips traveling around Europe and those musings certainly didn't include a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, but it might make me appreciate it in a whole new way.

The Challenge: The aforementioned 4-year-old and 2-year-old -- keeping them happy and sane when their normal schedule will be totally blown away. Also, David will be working. A lot. Which leaves me, a confirmed Working Mom, "home" all day, every day with the kids.


Do you smell the fear?

Hello Paris!

It's official. We'll be going to the City of Lights for four whole days!

So, I ran out and bought a travel book and "Madeline" -- because a girl can't see Paris without reading that book first. It only took a week before Leah could identify the Eiffel Tower.

I'm also teaching them all the polite words - hello, goodbye, thank you, please. I just need to learn "I'm so sorry for my children," which will absolutely come in handy.

The Air France reservation lady was very nice. She commented about my husband's last name: "Can't get more German than that!" Heh! She also referred to my girls as "Irish twins." Ahh, the French!

Lastly, this isn't going to be the trip to Paris I have been planning since I was 16 and completely in love with Monet's garden. But, I'm quickly adjusting to the idea of slowly strolling the charming streets of Paris pushing a yellow stroller -- pointing out birds and boats to two little girls. I might be skipping the Louvre, but I'll probably see the zoo, aquarium and a few playgrounds.

And that's just as good.