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| Lulu with the youngest |
My son lives and works in Paris. They have been there two years now - so his boss owed him a trip back to the States. On Holy Thursday - we got a call and he said - how would you like some visitors. The plan was simple - they would fly over on Easter Sunday and stay long enough so they could get their covid vaccines. Lulu and I were overjoyed. We looked forward to a month of spoiling the 4 year old boy and 2 year old girl - the youngest Everharts.
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| Pop and Grandson |
Good Friday - they got their covid tests in Paris. Easter Sunday they hopped in a Delta jet - went through Atlanta - and arrived here in Tallahassee Sunday evening. We loaded their 6 bags into the Honda van - installed the two car seats for the kids - and away we went.
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| Bon Voyage photo by George |
For the first few days - the kids were getting up at 3 AM and wanting to play. Our house is divided into two separate suites - so they did not bother us much. In Paris - they do not have a car - so they loved taking our Honda van to the playgrounds in those early morning hours. We bought bikes - a basketball goal - and many other toys.
During the time they were here - both the adults were able to work their jobs online. When they needed time - we took the grandkids on many adventures. Lulu made cut-out cookies - a big kids’ favorite. We made pasta from scratch. We ate and drank like royalty. We had a campfire in the back yard. Lulu enjoyed making nice meals with the kids - they also enjoyed shopping in American super markets with non-Parisian prices.
We made several trips to the zoo and historic museums. We played on the local beaches. The weather co-operated - I think we only had rain on 2 of the 35 days.
Our neighbor George has a pool with a solar heater. He saved the day many times with entertainment for the kids. They loved swimming in the 80 degree water. I am guessing the kids did not miss a day using the hot tub on our back porch. To them - it is a just swimming pool with 99 degree water.
After getting tested for covid - and self-quarantining - they got their first vaccine shots at Walgreen’s.
Then we rented a beach home in Watercolor-Seaside - about 130 miles west of Tallahassee. This beautiful beach community has some of the whitest sands and cleanest water - plus three swim clubs with 8 different pools. The water was heated to 85 degrees and it was always a toss up to swim in the warm pool waters or the 72 degree ocean surf. Our beach house came with rental bikes and passes to all the beach clubs. We also enjoyed many of the restaurants and a Publix grocery store less than a mile away. The week went by fast.
While at Seaside - Paul and Ev - the other grandparents came to stay from North Carolina. It was a big house and easily swallowed up the 8 of us. They also shared the cooking and child spoiling duties.
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| The beach house at Watercolor/Seaside FL |
After 5 weeks - they got their second vaccine shots. Like Cinderella’s midnight clock - this signaled the end of our special time. The kids are 4 and 2 - and we will never get to see them at that age again. One thing certain - they will never forgot the time at Mum Mum’s house and all the good times we had.
They think I am kidding when I say - they could move here and live in the big house - Lulu and I would build a guest house on the back forty for us. We know it will never happen but you can always dream. You get to know people living under the same roof for 35 days. We are very proud of that little family. Oh - what adventures are they gonna have. It was so much fun being part of it for a short time.
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| Camping in our back yard |
They are safely back in Paris now adjusting to the jet lag. France is way behind us when it comes to vaccinations for covid. I am happy we could be a little help to getting them protected. They will travel around Europe now a lot easier knowing they got a vaccine that truly works.
After some empty nest syndrome - a big house cleaning - and a little crying - we have miles to go before we sleep. It is on to the next adventure. Lulu has an invitation to do research in Australia this summer. Here’s hoping their travel gates open soon. Also - a Tesla project awaits. You never know what lurks beyond the horizon. There is still a dance or two left in this old girl yet.
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| Canoeing with Grandpa Paul |
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| Making eggs in Mum Mum's Kitchen |
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| Hot tubs to kids are little swimming pools |
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| Toys on the front porch |
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| Day trip with Mum Mum to Carabelle beach |
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| Chasing sea gulls |
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| Exploring the truck graveyard |
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| George's pool provided much baby sitting |
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| Hot tub for 3 |
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| Parents at the playground in Southwood |
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| Digging at Shell Point FL |
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| Beach chairs and sand - grandma and granddaughter |
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| Lounging at Shell Point |
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| Swings in the jungle at Tallahassee Museum |
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| Swinging at Tom Brown Park |
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| Making ham salad sandwiches |
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| FSU graduation day |
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| Playing in the camper |
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| Making cutout cookies of the Eiffel Tower |
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| The porch at Seaside |
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| The kitchen at Seaside |
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| The widow's walk on the roof |
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| Swimming with Mum Mum |
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| The 4 Parisian refugees |
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| The Lazy River at Watercolor |
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| Playing in the surf with Dad |
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| Trying to catch the youngest |
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| Building sand castles |
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| The world's whitest sand beach |
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| Paul and Lulu in with the kids |
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| Dancing with Huck and Lilly at Seaside |
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| Loafing at the Seaside Amphitheatre |
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| Mum Mum and the snack |
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| Lulu and son |
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| The surf was 72 degrees |
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| Old Man and the Sea |
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| Derby Party at the Dawson |
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| Little kids love water hoses |
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| The frog in the hot tub |
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| Catch me if you can |
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| The Honda can put them to sleep |
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| Happy snakes at Tallahassee Museum |
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| Making pasta in Mum Mum's kitchen |
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| We had the best spaghetti |
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| Mexican Train with the Dawsons |
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| Gators at Wakulla Springs |
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| Manatees love the year round 70 degree spring water |
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| Lunch at McDonald's |
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| Playing connect 4 at the airport |
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| He loves anything mechanical |
