So when I found out I was returning to Paris AND that we would be reuniting with our interns, I downloaded the Duolingo app to try to brush up on my French. Before I left, I was apparently at 50% bilingual.

(Lies. I probably couldn’t order pizza at that point.)

And yet that all changed after we took our bright-eyed bushy-tailed flight yesterday:

See, when I hear French spoken, I do this weird thing where I speak French back. Even if I don’t actually know it! (It’s even better when I’ve been drinking. Then my French is formidable!)

Alors, when we arrived in Paris, one of our dear interns was there to greet us and I immédiatement switched to my awful language mix. But she didn’t seem to mind!

In fact, she and her boyfriend drove (DROVE!!) us all around Paris. First we toured le cimetière Père Lechaise where we got our graves on.

(That last one is Oscar Wilde. Last time I was here, there was no glass in front and you could still leave your lipstick kiss.)

Totally adorably, The Boy found himself a new idol and spent the day basking in the glory of her boyfriend (who was completely amazing and chatted video games and movies with him).

And gave him workout tips.

And even played Trivia Crack with him for ages while the rest of us ate the most AMAZING dinner.

(Noémie et Mohand, nous vous adorons!!)

Today was another golden day spent hanging out with our other intern. As we are staying in Montmartre, we of course stopped for a quick Moulin Rouge photo op before climbing alllll the way up to Sacré Cœur.

Then we revisited our Metro skills and subwayed over to my favorite museum – Le Musée d’Orsay – where we got our Van Gogh on and visited a familiar friend.

Then we enjoyed a walk along the Seine, a glass of wine in a café, and sending the kids to a movie so the grownups could do a bit more catching up.

(Ignore The Boy. He has decided this trip is his “no smiling” trip. I’m ignoring it myself – he’s eating and happy and even went to a museum today without complaining. I don’t care what he does when I record for posterity.)

Et finalement, after big hugs, back to our appartement where I’m now trying to do laundry in French.

Fortunately, ma français has improved so much that I’m AT LEAST up to 60% bilingual and I’m totalement up for ce challenge.

Now if only my language skills could help me past the fact that France observes Daylight Saving Time tonight. Is it just me, or is it cruel and unusual that I have to spring forward TWICE this year?!

Zut alors indeed!