The BEST part was the Gift Shop

When culturing your children around the world, one of the best things to hear is the “the gift shop was the best part,” because it means you are really engaging with them. It shows their deep understanding of the surrounding culture and connection with the past.

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Needless to say, Versailles was a huge hit. The gardens were by far the best. We did an audio tour, and it was crazy the amount of time/money/energy these Kings and Queens spent thinking about making castles and palaces. It’s literally the only thing they talk about with the monarchs besides them going to war.

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I would recommend if you visit Versailles to check out the Petit Trianon. It is within walking distance of the main palace, and the gardens are quite amazing. They are not as well manicured, but there was almost nobody there. It was much more peaceful. We learned about Marie Antoinette and the dreadfully difficult life she led.

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Apparently she wasn’t great in school but eventually learned to play instruments. She loved chocolate and was admired greatly by some duke or prince from somewhere, who was just devastated after she was murdered. She sounded a bit dim-witted and lacked purpose but was apparently kind and adored by her hubby. Initially she was well liked by her subjects, but they eventually turned on her, and she lost her head. This video shows what it might have been like, the camera was her head.

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Any who, once we were finished with the palace and about to head back to the hotel, Andre decided to be negative about the trip in general. We created a rule a couple weeks ago that if you make ungrateful or unnecessarily negative comments, you must say 5 things you are thankful for or have enjoyed over the last couple days.

Dre decided he was not going to have any of it this time. So Jeff and I sat down, at the exit of the palace, and waited for Dre to come up with his 5 things. After 15 minutes and Owen providing Dre 5 things he could say, I asked Jeff and Owen to go ahead. We would take the next train. Dre continued to sit defiantly, on the ground, with the French people looking curiously at the boy on the road.

After another 5 minutes, I let Dre know that I had 3% battery left, and I didn’t know where Jeff was now. Then Dre ran over and gave me his 5 things. Well, as you all know, I get lost pretty easily. Dre and I started walking and my phone is now at 2%. I called Jeff, and he didn’t answer his phone. I called again. No answer. I start getting concerned and worried because I knew it was about a 15 min walk in some direction.

On my final call, BOOM, he answers. I greeted him kindly. Now he is asking which way I went. I said straight. He said he went back the way we came. That meant nothing to me. We clearly were going different directions. We hang up pleasantly. I call again, asking specifically where he was at and confirming we will backtrack and meet and the entrance of Versailles. Phone dead.

2 minutes later we run into each other, on the same path, both of our descriptions were clearly shit as to which directions we went (Jeff disagrees with this). Dre’s comment, “It’s your fault for holding me accountable that we got put in this dangerous situation.” Dre faced Marie Antionette’s fate.

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Pro Tip:
Charge your phone and make sure you have a gameplan before separating. Bluffing works great when parenting as long as you don’t get caught.

Also, Owen got a haircut. Not sure why……..