Mindful in Paris

It has been a whirlwind week... showing Paris to Kel, Steve and kids -- and the art of using the efficient Metro (subway).
Kel and Steve left very early Friday morning, against Aidan's advice, for a weekend away on their own... and Kayla and Aidan stayed with us. They were on their super-best behavior, and we had a great time together. Sharing life with 6-and-3-year-olds for several days is an object lesson in being rooted in the moment! ("Mindfulness" is much more than that... but it is a good start.) Aidan's days were puncutated with "that's AWESOME!" and "WICKED awesome!" and "I'm going to do this EVERY day!" Yesterday, after touching a stuffed goat outside a restaurant, he sang an impromptu song all the way to the apartment; the words are simple... "I love goats, I love goats, I really love goats, I love goats..."
Our forays have included several public parks with playgrounds; an excursion inside Notre Dame church, where they were awed by its sheer size and dazzling stained glass; an odyssey to find an appropriate toy store... finally successful as we returned with bubble-making stuff (a hoot off the balcony) and pick-up sticks and a Mr. Potato Head for the bath; 2 trips to Jardin d'Acclimation with its lovely grounds, animals, and rides that we all could enjoy; and (of course) countless Metro rides and grocery shopping at Monoprix. In my sleep I am hearing, "Poppy, can I ride on your shoulders now? My legs won't work." Kayla observed that maybe it would be a good idea to live here... until she realized that her friends and extended family are elsewhere.
Kel and Steve returned today, and Liz and I are 'holeing up' at a nearby hotel. We are grateful for these past days and also keenly aware of our loss of Katie.
A note about 'Paris pace': Paris is a large city population-wise, but is really a collection of 20 smaller towns. There is a laid-back air to life here; Kelly is struck at this difference from New York and L.A. There is a peculiarly small-town feel in the midst of 2 million people!
One sidelight: There have been four attempts (that I know of) to pick-pocket me-- two of them almost successful. My response has been immediate and angry each time; the aftermath has been an opportunity to reflect on mindfulness in its greater meaning-- awareness of the many levels in the simplest encounter.
Onward.