Out and about at Paris Plage today, these two little girls walked by.  The love and friendship they shared was so apparent.

They giggled, talked and looked into each others eyes with arms wrapped around waists, locked together as they strolled by. 

At one stage, one of them lay her head on the shoulder of her friend.  It was so adorable to watch and so touching. 

Soul mates. 

And, such a cute umbrella too.

A few weeks ago I was searching the internet for excursions to do in and around Paris during the summer vacation, when I came across this website offering half price tickets to visit the Aquarium.  

Today we decided to put the tickets to good use, plotting that crowds would be quieter now half the city has migrated to the Dordogne and Aquitaine, and factoring in that Monsieur Meteo was including afternoon showers in his often inaccurate forecast. Apparently, we did better with our forecast than M. Meteo.

Though there were throngs of foreigners loitering on the forecourt at Trocodero vying for the ultimate tourist snap, the only inundation was one of fake bags and freelance vendors selling ostentatious key chains.

Stepping into the aquarium was like a world away.  The odd group of French children who hadn’t left for holidays, yet had been placed in summer camps, passed us by. Otherwise, it was quiet and un-crowded.

Two hours later we emerged.  Shirt sleeves drenched from a dip too far in the touching pool.

Only one item left on today’s agenda. Fairy floss.

The heat finally broke yesterday and for an hour or two, it looked like our al fresco dining plans would have to relocate inside. 

Then, almost as quickly as it arrived, the rain disappeared,leaving behind a fog of humidity that steamed upward from the ground.  Tables and chairs dried off, we indulged under the stars until midnight came and went. 

Summertime memories.

Today, the temperature hit 35 degrees in the shade out here to the west of Paris. 

Having learnt to adapt well, the curtains remained drawn (we don't have shutters), the fan turned non-stop and we kept the heat out.  The hitch to my hibernation being I needed to venture out,  to deposit my princess at the one thing that would be hotter than the pavement in Paris on a summer afternoon.....a pottery studio where the kiln added to the oven affect of feeling like a baguette browning in a boulangerie!

Safely dropped off, I had a couple of hours to return to my hibernation before I was required  to collect one warm and toasty little potter.

After the heat had finally climaxed and my little baguette was ready to bring home, the hour arrived with  the much sought after turn in the temperature. We took the chance to venture out, to watch the sun slip away without feeling scorched. It was our own little corner of paradise, ducklings, butterflies, wild flowers and an air thick with the fragrance of wild mint.

The only thing lacking from the day was ice.  Unable to make enough to keep up with our demand, it puzzles me why in France it isn't sold in bags at the corner store or gas station.  Seems like a great 'Start up' for a young seasonal entrepeneur, don't you think?

There are times when I might well be not considered the best parentand today may quite possibly be one of those days. 

It's grey outside and there has been a steady drizzle all day.  So what?  

Well, despite the dampness and the chill on this rather non-spring style day,  I let my four and a half year old do what many other sensible french parents wouldn't allow.  I let him run under the jets of the fountain on the market square and stood watching him giggle and squeal with delight. 

I could have denied him the pleasure but how much fun would that have been for either of us? He wouldn't have laughed so much and I would have dried salty tears instead of fountain drops.

Watching on and hesitating, a mother reluctantly let go of her child's hand to do the same.  Slowly, the corners of her mouth started to turn upward as she too felt the warm delight of watching little footsteps splash through the water, tapping against the pavement.

Returning home, he laughed some more, hiding amongst the flowers as they themselves hid under raindrops.  Sparkling drops, jewels on beds of violet brightening up the garden.  

Apart from the obvious delights, one advantage to having children is there is no need to borrow from a friend in order to sit  on a bench and not feel out of place in a hot, dusty french garden watching marionettes. 

Away from the crowds that were drawn to the Champs Elysee today to visit the artificial garden set up by the Mairie, we decided to pass the afternoon at the Jardin de Ranelagh.  It was a great choice and the hysterical laughs of the under age audience was nothing short of addictive.

Wandering around and trying to reconnect with the beauty of her streets, I came across a building in Paris where for a moment I felt like I might easily have been in Spain. 

Amongst the well kept Haussmannien buildings, the rustic exterior, complete with flower pots and curtain blowing gently through an open window was full of personality.  At the adjacent window  an elderly man tendered to his delicate flower bed.  

So mediterranean was it, I'd have been happy to walk around the corner, find a square lined with tables where I'd pass the afternoon, first with tapas, followed by a long spanish lunch and finished off with a siesta as the sun scorched the footpaths. Aahhh!

Yep, I know this is one of those corny parenting things to do.  Share the video of the cutesy kid that most others don't find so cutesy.

Given the lyrics, the dead pan serious expression on his face as he sings his own lyrics and the fact that I'm related, I can't, I can't, I just, just can't stop myself.   I might even follow up in a day or two with another of the originals 'A' has been working on.

This morning, there is a touch of spring in the air.  I'd read about the warmer spring days in Paris that happened in April but missed them as we soaked up sunshine on the other side of the world.   

When it came time to return to France, it was difficult enough saying goodbye to loved family and friends, but arriving back to cold, grey May drizzle in France only made me miss Australia even more.  Wrapping up in coats and scarves,  all the chocolate that was intended to last weeks was devoured in a short five days. 

Yesterday there was a tease of spring.  And, finally, today the sun shines.  The market had a little buzz about it, all the places filled up on the terrace at the local café and no-one budged to vacate their seats, myself included. 

Spotting the paeonie's in the market helped lift the spirits too.  They are like a wake up reminder that spring is here.  Just like Paeon was saved from the wrath of his jealous teacher Asclepius when Zeus turned him into a flower, the arrival at the market of the paeony announces winter is over.  Ready to embrace and enjoy the seasonal change and put away the coats for a few months feels like a saving gift from the gods.