Take Me To Paris - Day 2
Stop 2 - Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves Flea Market: After reading rave reviews about the Parisian flea markets, we figured we couldn't pass up a chance to visit them in person. The market was dreamy with goods ranging from vintage toys to antique jewelry. Maeli was especially intrigued by a bucket full of baby doll eyes one vendor was selling. (She has actually mentioned the bucket on multiple occasions since being home.) After scouring all of the dealers' tables, Maeli ended up picking out a little vintage dress for her baby doll. She dressed her baby in it as soon as we got home and regularly admires the doll in her new wardrobe.
Stop 3 - Notre Dame Cathedral: In preparing for the trip, we watched Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with the kids. After watching the movie, Maeli wrote a letter to Quasimodo and drew a picture of a princess to go with it. We rolled the letter up and left it for Quasimodo at the top of the bell tower at Notre Dame Cathedral. Maeli was a bit disappointed that she didn't get to see Quasimodo but after we explained that he was scared of all the people, she seemed to be satisfied.
Stop 4 - Pont de l'Archeveche (Love Lock Bridge): Next we headed over to the Love Lock Bridge to lock down our love. Maeli enjoyed getting to secure our lock and toss the key into the canal.
Stop 5 - Jardin du Luxembourg: After the bridge we rushed over to Luxembourg Gardens to see the "Little Red Riding Hood" marionette puppet show. Although the dialog was in French, the kids totally loved the show! They especially loved when the marionettes would run around and hit one other.
Stop 6 - Jardin du Luxembourg: In the center of Luxembourg Gardens sits a small pond where visitors can rent a toy sailboat for just a few euro. After watching the puppet show, we grabbed a boat and sailed it around the pond for a bit. The kids thought it was so cool and Maeli loved running around the pond pushing the boat back towards the center with the big stick. Milo preferred just to walk around with the stick and take a bath in the dirt. He acted as if he had never seen dirt before. (Apparently we've been away from Arizona for a little too long.)
Stop 7 - Eiffel Tower: By the time we got to the Eiffel Tower, the kids were completely exhausted. But even the exhaustion couldn't keep them away from the carousel at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Talk about a great way to end an awesome day!
