As predicted, removing the Particularly Picky Pine is, in fact, no fun. But in different ways than expected. We thought that Anthony would have to bring the tree downstairs by, essentially, hugging a cactus. But what happens instead is that the tree is so fully dried out that during the painful process of tying up the branches, every single needle falls onto the floor. [For the sake of not causing my mother to have a heart attack, I must add here that the lights had long been taken off, and there was neither any source of electricity nor flame anywhere near the tree.]
It is heavier than expected, even all dried up like that, and Anthony has to lug it not just downstairs but all the way across Ile St. Louis, over the bridge, and to a tree collection spot at a park. While he does that, our floor is carpeted, literally inches thick, with green needles, so P and I sweep up the living room and the hallway path the tree had taken. We also pick up the needles by hand from the staircase in the apartment building since it would really be too cruel to let people track the splinters-waiting-to-happen into their apartments.
Anthony returns and vacuums up all the needles that have fallen in the [many, large] gaps of our old hardwood floors. Later, he goes to vacuum up a mess in the kitchen and discovers that our vacuum cleaner is now thoroughly, and perhaps permanently, pine-scented. Wearily, he turns to me, "Next year, get a Nordmann, please. And much smaller." Duly noted.
Christmas Present
There are a couple new games we are addicted to, and most of all Les Aventuriers du Rail, Ticket to Ride, a fantastic strategy game of bulding train routes -- ours is the Europe version. This is G's favorite gift, and she is determined to beat Anthony and me someday, though we try our hardest and she hasn't managed it yet. P's favorite present is....a Whoopie Cushion. G is also very excited by her Whoopie Cushion, but P's love for the Whoopie Cushion turns out to be more deeply-felt and long-lasting. It is the one Christmas gift she tells everybody about. Our home is filled with the merry sounds of laughter. And farting. Way to go, Santa!
Christmas Future
There are several classic Paris Christmas spots we just could not manage to hit over the vacation. We had plenty of time, mind you, just not enough get-up-and-go. After four months of living out of suitcases and so much traveling, the girls just wanted to spend their days in pajamas, playing games. We had some playdates, some wonderful holiday celebrations, and a whole lot of hanging-around time. But if there's one thing we love about knowing we will be here for at least a couple years, it's that we don't have to stuff everything in. So, on next year's agenda: the lights at the Galeries Lafayette and the Christmas markets on the Champs Elysées.
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