Category Archives: travel

toronto with kids

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Our time in Toronto is coming to a close (we’ve been here for over a month…check out my Stories on Instagram). We’ve really enjoyed this city – it’s culturally diverse and exciting, with hints of Francophilia everywhere. While I’ve shared most of our adventures on social media, I’ll get into a bit more detail here for those that may be planning a trip. Mind you, we’ve been here during peak winter, but this one has been fairly mild. The only day where I felt like it was too much was when the polar vortex came through and it was -7 degrees (celsius) with a wind chill of -16. I made the mistake of going for a walk, and very quickly realized why Canadians sometimes wear ski masks – lesson learned. Speaking of lessons…if you haven’t learned to ice skate, I highly recommend doing so before you come or signing up for a private lesson in Canada. You DO NOT want to attempt to learn in a rink filled with Canadians. Just trust me on this. You can thank me later.

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hello from the other side

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Happy New Year and hello from Canada! We’re kicking off 2023 with a grand adventure. I’m thrilled that we have the opportunity to live here for a few months as a family, thanks to a work assignment. My love for this country is almost a given (my father is Canadian), plus I fell hard for it while visiting in my twenties. I’ve always wanted to live here, and experiencing it with my children is next level. We crossed at Rainbow Bridge and were then gifted with this sight at Niagara Falls – it felt like kismet. I have a long history with this place, and yet this was my first visit to the falls. That’s a story for another time…one that I’m writing while here. In the meantime, allow me to share this wonder of the world!

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The rumors are true…the Canadian side is the best way to experience it. The power is absolutely palpable, and breathtaking. We went on a weekday to avoid the crowds, but winter also helps with that issue, ha. It was a brisk day (albeit mild by Canadian standards) but the sun was shining, hence the rainbow! We walked the length of it, stood in awe, and finished with a visit to the gift shop. There are a lot of other experiences to be had there of course, but having just crossed the border we were anxious to reach our destination in Toronto. We will be living there for about a month and can’t wait to explore all that the city has to offer. I already have a perma-smile seeing the French language everywhere!

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the twins are ten

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Apparently we blinked…Marie and Henry (our Bastille Day babies) are ten! Time is accelerating at shocking speed these days – at least, it feels that way to us (the adults). I try to remind myself that it’s only a construct but I’m not sure that fact offers much comfort. We spent their birthday week visiting family down south, and stayed at a luxe home thanks to the generosity of a good friend. We barely left the house and it felt like a five star vacation. We usually try to head north this time of year and avoid the scorching temps, but it was impossible to say no to a private pool. Next week we’re hosting a birthday party with their friends at home which feels like such a treat after years of isolation (and yes, we’re still being careful). Needless to say, we’ll be taking the month of August to recover, lol. You can see more on this post, and below…

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albertine books

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I never miss an opportunity to visit Albertine Books when in New York City. The “best bookstore in France” is tucked away inside the historic Payne Whitney mansion, just down from the MET on Fifth Avenue. Since it’s located within Cultural Services for the French Embassy, you’re technically standing on French soil while browsing for books. Within the two-story structure you will find carefully curated English translations of French literature, French language publications, and more than 14,000 contemporary and classic titles from thirty French-speaking countries. Rare books, elegant leather chairs, busts crafted by the ateliers of the Musée du Louvre, and a mesmerizing hand-painted ceiling mural of constellations add to the myriad of reasons why it is a sanctuary and delight for any Francophile, or bibliophile!

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the freedom trail with kids

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We took this quick trip to Boston in February of 2020, just before the pandemic became very scary here in the states (and before lockdown in late March). Over one year later and I’m still struggling to process how drastically our lives have changed along with everyone else, but I finally feel like I can share this trip. While travel is still not a possibility for most people, perhaps this will help to inspire some family-friendly trip planning, and in the meantime, you can virtually tour many of the sites! We (actually I–my husband was at a work conference) managed the entire Freedom Trail – most of it in one day, with two 7-year-olds (we only missed two sites). I’m a history buff (plus my father was born in Boston), so I enjoyed it for so many reasons. The kids said it felt like a treasure hunt, and it truly is – there is so much to discover along the trail. I’m sharing our full itinerary below, and you’ll find video and more here in my Massachusetts highlights!

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