Paris

We've had a bit of a French theme going in our Five in a Row books-Madeline, The Glorious flight and Mirette on the high wire and last week also in our 5-a-Day books. There was a reason-we had a family day out planned to Paris-a very special treat- and yesterday was the day.

We got up horribly early, soon after 3am-no pictures at that time in the morning! It did mean though that we arrived in Paris not long after 9am, French time.

Paris is so different although, superficially, so the same.

We looked out for "An old house in Paris that was covered in vines" but didn't see it although we saw this

and some old houses.

Of course, we went up the Eiffel Tower.

and saw other "Madeline" sights from there. The Arc de Triomphe is in the middle.

Was this the bridge where Madeline frightened Miss Claval?

Then we left the "Madeline" theme and went to the Pompidou Centre. You either love it or hate it. I find it fascinating. There was a children's exhibition, the Blobterre with plenty to appeal to different senses; all except taste, I think. Miss Belle wasn't so impressed by the rest of the modern art and asked about the location of the Mona Lisa. Maybe we chose the wrong gallery for her.

A fascinating, tiring day. In retrospect, I would have

• taken the stroller. Mr Exuberance wasn't exuberant by the end and fell asleep on his big brother's shoulders.
• done more research. We wanted to find food for the way back but couldn't find a boulangerie.
• perhaps have planned a slightly shorter day.

Overall, though a good day. It is such a privilege to be able to visit so easily.

This is linked to The field trip hop and the Hip Homeschool Hop.