Nearly Christmas in Paris

The fun part of the week

Kate felt I had not had much fun in this visit which was not true as being a Nanna to my gorgeous grandchildren is such a pleasure. Still she thought we might manage a trip to see Christmas at Printemps with them on Saturday morning. Now the day starts about seven so we were fed and dressed and outside the doors of Printemps before they were open!!! The animated displays in the windows were delightful and little platforms had been constructed in front so that the children could see.

Sebastian slept happily for the morning and after being fed in the mother and babies area went back to sleep again. Whilst he was being fed Isabella and I explored the area outside. Here she is trying on a floaty net tiara in the princess department.

and perhaps a handbag?

The toy department was great fun although Isabella had a hard time choosing which toy to play with. When torn between a bike and a pram she manoeuvred until she was in control of both!

After Sebastian had been fed and was back in the stroller it was time for the rest of us to eat so we moved into the Galeries Lafayette for lunch.

The tree in the dome was magnificent

In their toy department where we met an enormous bear...a snip at only 5000 euros.

















Sebastian slept on all cosy in his very own bear suit.

It was a lovely day out for Isabella and I but then Kate had the unenviable task of driving us home through the busy Christmas traffic.

Still once the little people were safely tucked up we finished off the day with food and wine in front of the television.




The busy part of the week
I had flown out to Paris for a week to provide support should Kate need it whilst Malcolm was away with work in the States. As things turned out I proved to be very useful as Kate coped with the French medical system. Mostly it was a matter of logistics as she couldn't be in two places at once. I was not thrilled when a new central Health Centre for all doctors and services was built in Macclesfield but having experienced the Parisien system I now feel it has much to recommend it!

I spent lot of time with my camera hoping Sebastian would start to smile.......

......nearly but not quite....

On Tuesday afternoon (the only day it rained) Kate took Sebastian in his pram to see his doctor as he was suffering with from a cold/cough that was not getting better. Isabella already had a late afternoon appointment set up with a dermatologist to investigate a pimple virus on her back. Her French nanny, Genevieve, was collecting her from nursery in her stroller and bringing her straight home instead of going for their usual playtime on the Champ de Mars.


But the best laid plans..........Sebastian's doctor was running an hour late so Kate phones Isabella's nanny and asks her to go directly to the dermatologist.......then she phones me and asks me to go to the dermatologist as she will go straight there when Sebastian has been seen by his doctor and I will be needed to push the pram home. I find consulting room address on map and set off and am soon standing outside building but cannot see how to proceed further ......however door into courtyard opens for someone coming out so leap inside quickly.

Here I find name of doctor on a notice board so am in right place but no sign of Isabella or Kate. Back to street door which I keep open with my foot whilst looking up and down street and attracting some odd looks. Isabella and Genevieve arrive and join me inside courtyard. Kate rings to say will I take Isabella in for the appointment and she will get there as soon as she can. Now my french is very basic but fortunately Genevieve agreed to stay and help out and between us were able to supply the details necessary. Finally Kate arrives in time to receive the treatment instructions....Genevieve goes home .....Isabella and Sebastian are wheeled home for playtime with Nanna whilst Kate goes to pharmacy with a sheaf of prescriptions.

Below we have the Tintin pose.

We ate the cakes I had bought for our afternoon coffee break at 9 pm!!

The next three days were an assortment of medical appointments (not in the same place) for Kate or Sebastian with a trip to the nursery for me to collect Isabella on Genevieve's day off. Kate drove Isabella to nursery each morning whilst I looked after Sebastian. He would sleep long enough to let me have a shower and get dressed but I'm sure he knew when I'd finished and wanted attention before I had time to make myself a coffee.