(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

When I told Steve that I loved the picture that Delilah drew of he and I, he wanted to know which one was me...

The Orsay

Ready for a shocker: The number one rated attraction (by Trip Advisor) in Paris isn't the Eiffel.  It isn't the Arc de Triomphe.  And it isn't the Louvre.  It's the Musée d' Orsay.  I know, right?  I was shocked, too.  And then I went to the place, and I have to say, I was pree-tee impressed with it.

The Orsay was totally one of the places that ended up on our "Ok, if we get to it, but we won't break our necks trying to get to it" list.  We actually hit it on our last day in Paris, just mere hours before we caught the train back to CDG.  Everything we had read about it RAVED, so we made a little time for it--and when I say "a little time", I mean an hour.  We literally covered the good parts at a brisk walk, with whining children in tow, unfortunately.  

It's probably one of those places you'd recognize without realizing you'd recognize it.  It's the museum with the big clock that used to be a train station--which totally appealed to the kids (and me, honestly), but was repurposed into a museum when the train tracks became too short for the longer trains.  It's also the building that's featured prominently in the movie "Hugo", if you've seen that. 

Although I still loved the Louvre and would pick that over the Orsay if I could only pick one museum to see in France, the Orsay gave you a more condensed "bang for your buck" (it's covered on the Museum Pass) and it would be a very close second.  It was smaller than the Louvre and even Jackson recognized many of the paintings--thank you Mrs. Tramm.

I was talking to my friend Jen about writing this post and about my feelings for the Orsay.  It was an awesome museum, with a spectacular collection of famous art.  And I understand *why* just so many people love it.  It really comes down to what's on your art bucket list, so to speak.  More than anything, I wanted to see the statues of the Venus de Milo and Winged Vicory and both of those were at the Louvre.  I'm sure that plays heavily into my feelings. Honestly, the architecture of the Orsay was beautiful--and to think that there was serious discussion of tearing it down when the local officials of Paris realized it couldn't be used as a train station anymore!

Sadly, they had a strictly enforced "NO PHOTO!!!" policy.  (But apparently I don't follow directions well)

 This picture says a lot...

Most of my pictures taken at the Orsay look like this...

Seeing Whistlers Mother was the highlight of my trip to the Orsay.  It was huge and discretely tucked into a corner! I actually walked by it the first time and didn't notice it (This is truly hard to imagine now because it actually is SO big).  

I absolutely *love* this picture.  It was one that I snapped quickly without really realizing what the entire frame looked like.  I wonder if these two guys know each other.  Or are they perfect strangers sharing a moment...

I'd love your vote.  All it takes is one little click on the picture below! Thanks!

The Mona Lisa (and a little Blog Hop!)

At the end of this fab post on our visit with Mona, My friend Casey is hosting a Fresh Face Blog Hop!  Be sure to link up, friends!

And now on to the Mona Lisa. Seriously, she's the size of a postage stamp.  Ok not *really*.  But honestly, it's really quite small.  I was surprise.  She seemed SO much bigger in The Da Vinci Code, which, in all honesty, I actually re-watched SEVERAL times before our visit to Paris, just so that I'd be that much more prepared for the Louvre. But Sophie and Robert got it SO wrong.  The actual Mona Lisa is so much smaller than they make her out to be, although I did totally recognize exactly where I was in the Grand Gallery because of the Parquet floors. When I saw the sign that said Grand Gallery, I totally wanted to run to the first painting that I saw to look for hidden messages written on priceless works of art with the black light I had strategically placed in my purse, or to look for hidden keys behind the paintings.  I could be Sophie and Steve could be Robert, right?!? But, sigh, Steve wouldn’t let me.  I swear, he ruins all the fun. And keeps me from getting arrested I suppose.  Maybe when we retire to Paris is a few years, I get a job giving Da Vinci Code tours in the Louvre.  I’m sure they’d LOVE that….

 See! She's tiny!  Impressive, but tiny.  I texted my dad a this picture of us and he said he was surprised that the room with the Mona Lisa wasn't more crowded--so I sent him this one from the back of the room.

Tory and Jackson with the Mona Lisa.  Jackson was less than thrilled since he wants to be an artist when he grows up and we told him we were taking him to see the most famous painting in the world.  He couldn't figure out why "some painting of some lady" was so famous.

See that smiling and happy momma above standing in that field of sunflowers? That's ME!  I'm so happy that you decided to stop by today and to visit my little blog about our family's adventures as a military family stationed in Italy.  We've got some great stories to tell you about and some even more awesome places to share with you, so please join us in our adventure by following my blog.  I love followers :) And you just never know when I'll decide to have a little give away for them.  And while you're here, please click on that little picture of that other tiny momma below.  Your click will count as a vote for me for Top Momma Blog! Thanks and see you real soon!

Welcome to the

FRESH FACE FRIDAY BLOG HOP!

No prompt, just fun!

Hosted by: Casey @ We Took the Road Less Traveled

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1| Follow your host & co-hosts (first 3 links), pretty please! 

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5| Want to be a co-host? Click here for more info! 

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An InLinkz Link-up

See that blue link up there?  The one that says "An InLinkz Linkup"?  You have to click it to join the blog hop (sorry...just wanted to make sure everyone saw it....I'm old....I need directions, too!!!)

The BEST Artist (and blog post about it) EVER!

Yesterday, I received an email from Jackson's teacher, Mrs. Tramm.  We love her.

If you haven't met Jackson or don't know about his love of art, click HERE before reading any farther.

One of the things that we love about Mrs. Tramm the most is her awesome sense of humor.  She's a Kindergarten teacher--she's got to see the humor in life, right?  

Either that or take up drinking.  

At school.

Anyways, Mrs. Tramm sent me an email that read like this:

Make sure you check Jackson's folder today.  There's some art work in there for you.

I assumed that Jackson had drawn a picture, made a collage, mosaic, or fabtacular painting of something, most likely our cherry tree, which he is anxiously awaiting to bear fruit. 

I was wrong.

This was better.

But, I didn't realize it at first.

Because I found this:

I read it, chuckled that it was yet ANOTHER report on the status of said cherry tree, and flipped to the next page in his folder.

This is where I found it.

The most awesome drawing of all time. 

But, paper clipped on top of the most awesome drawing of all time, was a note from Jackson's teacher.

It said:

I nodded my head in agreement.  I love all the experiences that my children get from living overseas.  

Rock on Hip Awesome Teacher!

And then I flipped to the next page:

 That is EXACTLY what The David looks like! 

 Jackson remembers it WELL apparently, because he has SEEN it! (Make sure you look closely, just in case you may have missed somepart something impenis, I mean IMPORTANT!)

(Read about that experience HERE)

It looks like he kind-of struggled with the face, but he got all the important parts down!!

Way to go Buddy!

I Love Jackson, too!

If you've enjoyed this story, love Jackson's obvious artistic talent, or are related to me, or anyone I know, have known, or will know in my entire lifetime, please click on that little picture of the mommy below.  By clicking on her, you'll be putting me one step close to being the #1 Military Mommy Blog.  (I'm currently # 2, sigh....) Grazie!

P.S. I'd love a comment below also!  

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