I love Paris in the (almost) Springtime!

As promised, Eric made a few calls on the royal phone and persuaded his pals at British Airways to toss him the keys to the retired Concorde, for a quick spin across the big pee to pick up me, Lacie and his darling Toffee.

Before we knew it, we were landing at Charles DeGaulle in Paris~we cracked the windows and waved our flags to celebrate our birthday weekend (Toffee's was last week, mine is next Thursday).  And where better to celebrate than in Gay Paree!!!

Still swooning from his romantic Valentine's weekend with Toffee in London,  Eric felt like recreating that classic romance, set in the city of love..."I love your furry face..."

It got us all a-singing as we hit the town!

"I want to step out, down the Champs-Elysees, 

From the Arch of Triumph to the Petit Palais.

That's for me....Bonjour, Paree!"

"I want to wander through the Saint-Honore, 

Do some window-shopping in the Rue de la Paix, 

That's for me....Bonjour, Paree!"

(I think Lacie was actually asking me for more Euros when this photo was snapped.)

"We're strictly tourists, you can titter and jeer.

All we want to say is La Fayette we are here 

On a spree...

Bonjour, Paree!!!"

Toffee then decided to recreate one of the most famous scenes from the movie...when the beautiful young model (Audrey Hepburn) comes gliding dramatically down the staircase at the Louvre, with Winged Victory behind her...

Lacie inadvertently recreated a scene similar to one in the movie as well when we went to see the ballet at the Palais  Garnier, alson known as the Opera de Paris. (You may remember it as the setting of Phantom of the Opera. It is now home to the magnificent Paris Corps de Ballet.)

Well, the curtain had just gone up on the first act when an usher came to escort Lacie out for munching on popcorn! With her mouth open! She stormed out in a huff. Unfortunately, paparazzi were waiting and caught this shot of her which appeared the next day on the front page of Le Figaro!

Meanwhile, Eric and Toffee—who have clearly lost their heads—headed to the balcony for a bit of snogging. Let them eat (pup)cake!

Her feathers soothed, Lacie and I headed to Montmartre and the famous Moulin Rouge. Before I knew it, Lacie was transformed into a modern-day Jane Avril, doing a saucy can-can!

Where were Eric and I while the girls were up to such adventures? Enjoying a bagette or two as we basked in the sunshine in our new berets and ascots. We're a couple of chic chiens, n'est ce pas? Oh oui, mes petits!!!

Of course, Fall Fashion week in Paris is later in March, but Lacie pulled some strings (actually, she bit the store manager) and got an invitation for Toffee and her to preview the Spring Couture collections. Note the "Square Dog Shoulder Pads" - a must for Spring 09! 

Who needs a recession when you can make such a fashionable impression?

I think they have that certain "je ne sais paw."

(Especially wearing those chapeaux!)

As the sun set over the Seine, Lacie and I went crusing on a romantic bateau mouche past Notre Dame, the Musee D'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. Then I noticed the special hot air balloon she had arranged to fly overhead as my birthday surprise! (You'll never guess who was aboard...here's a hint - they've been "floating on air" since Valentine's Day!)

On Sunday morning, we popped into the famous Cafe de Flore in the heart of St. Germain des Pres on the Left Bank (Mommy's favorite arrondisement!) for "un petite dejeuner" before we headed back to the airport. A little cafe au lait, some buttery croissants with fresh butter and preserves...oohlala! 

Eric and Toffee indulged in a little "French" kissing while Lacie looked for the waiter to get another pain au carob. And me? Well, I thought that this was just about the best birthday celebration ever! 

And now...back to New York to celebrate Mica's 18th birthday!!! (That's a whole box of candles!)