That's a great place to spend any birthday but how special to spend your 17th birthday at the Effel Tower.

Scott and Lisa:  Your daughter is indeed very fortunate to be able to spend a full year in France.  I minored in French years ago... and would have loved to immerse myself in the French language and culture like she is doing.  Hooray for her !

Cindy,  Indeed!  I can't think of a better place for a 17 year old girl to be on her birthday.

Karen Anne,  She realizes it too thankfully.  She loves it so much over there that she says she wants to move back after high school and college.  I am thrilled for her, but she is so far away!  Do you still speak French?  Do you ever have any clients that speak French?  Spanish might be better for Texas. :)

Lisa

Lisa, I know you miss her, but WOW, nice place to spend her birthday!

Scott, she is in my favoite city on the whole entire planet!  What a place to celebrate a birthday - I've done it!

Oh how fun....and a chance of a lifetime!!!  So glad she gets this opportunity!

Lisa, thanks for including us in your daughter's great experience. It is a beautiful picture. Happy New Year to you guys.

Cal

Lisa... I am afraid that the closest I will ever get to France... is selling a home with French doors.  Sniffle, sniffle.

I have been to French Quebec, in Quebec City, and did quite well with my French, but have never had clients who spoke French, and fear that it's been so long... who they spoke would be over my head.  Big difference between that, and just making my way around Quebec City on a vacation.

Lisa, I do hope that your daughter is enjoying her studies abroad!  What a fantastic opportunity to experience the lifestyle of another country!  The Eiffel Tower is tough to beat for a birthday location!  Have a great Thursday!

I'll bet your daughter is having a great time!  My granddaughter got a trip to Paris for her Sweet Sixteen birthday... with her Mom, of course, and a friend. She loved it.

Joan, It does make it easier just knowing what she is experiencing.

Pat, I think I have seen some of your pictures of Paris.  I haven't been since I was in college.  I need to revisit that city!

Deborah, Thanks, I agree!

Cal, It is fun to share what she is doing.

Karen, I think this should be the year.  Find a way and just do it!

Tony, She was pretty jazzed up about it.  Said she will never forget this birthday and rightly so.  Funny thing is she had an pretty awesome Sweet 16 party last year.  I have no idea what we will do for her 18th...  for her 13th, we raked leaves.  She loves reminding us of that one. :)

Lisa

Shirley, I can't imagine any teenage girl not loving Paris.  What a wonderful sweet 16.  For our daughter, we threw a party for her and her two best friends that all turned 16 at the same time (her best friend is only 1 day apart).

Lisa

Lisa:  I wonder what there is about raking leaves.  I used to do that with my daughter... many times.  Northeast Ohio.  Cleveland... has many names, one of which is the Forest City.  Forest = trees = leaves.  We did more than our share.  Things seemed so simple, then.

By the way... is that your office, or your home... the brown house with the porch and the really bushy big tree ?  (from Google maps)

Lisa and Scott,

I guess that would be ok with me too!  My husband and I love Paris and have been 4 times.  Every time, we've visited the Eiffel Tower.  I love it at night the most!  What a great adventure for her!!! 

Karen, Things were simpler then.  I miss the days where we raked leaves together or watched movies or went on a hike.  That is our office, a very cool Victorian home that was converted.  Our team's office is the front corner with windows looking out to the street and the driveway leading into the parking area.  We see everyone coming and going!

DeeDee, 4 times!  I am jealous.  Scott and I have not gone together, yet. But we will.  He likes to fish and ski (so do I) so to date all our vacations have involved one or the other.  And he doesn't like cities.

Lisa

Hi Lisa - My daughter came home from France for her birthday (12/23) and Christmas.  I know how you feel about missing your daughter, but Christmas in France must be an amazing experience.  My daugher lives in Lyon and tells me about all the traditions, etc.  The food is incomparable!

Beautiful photo of the Eiffel Tower, it sparkles I think every hour, and it is absolutely fantastic to see it in person.

Peggy, Caroline loved Lyon!  She was there the week before Christmas and on Christmas day.  Her host mom's family lives there.  How funny that our daughters both share a love of France and almost the same birthdays!  Caroline says she will move back there after high school and college.  Glad your daughter made it home for the holidays!

Eileen, I loved the angle she took this one at.  And yes, it is even more breathtaking in person.

Lisa