So, this happened...

Now that we are at our apartment in Paris, and settled into something that resembles are routine, Sarah and I have found ourselves in a situation where we have time every night to post an update here on Strange and Benevolent. Generally, we've been out with the kids every night until at least 10. But, by the time we get back they crash out nearly immediately, and we usually stay up another couple of hours, finish whatever bottle of wine we started earlier and try to relax and have some quiet time.

While we appreciate the quality time, a blog entry a day ends up stretching things a bit thin. Especially when we are mainly just visiting the major tourist sites. We definitely run the risk of the blog entries devolving into a string of "so, this happened" photos.

So, without further ado, this happened...

We finally went to the Eiffel Tower. (Didn't go up it, but the kids snacked on oranges and left over sandwiches directly under it.)

And, this happened...

Riding the carousel near the Eiffel Tower. (Probably Stella's favorite moment.)

And this happened...

Visiting the Louvre. Again, didn't go in, but wandered around outside, and took in the epic scale of the architecture and sculpture.

And, this happened..

Crossing Pont du Arts bridge. Couples write their names on locks and attach them to the railing. It's surprisingly affecting the countless, varied locks, each inscribed with a couples name.

And, this happened...

A simple, tasty meal of rotisserie chicken, asparagus, tomatoes, bread, cheese and wine, purchased at the nearby market street.

And, this happened...

Sunset visit to the Arc de Triomphe. (Note: Having a toddler scores you a ride on the elevator to the top, instead of having to hike countless steps, like most people.)

As you can imagine, we've been running around a lot. After taking our first hesitant metro rides yesterday, we have rapidly found ourselves downright abusing the system. The kids have become pro-metro riders, and I take an odd pride in the fact that they know how to feed their tickets into the turnstiles, collect their ticket on the other side and push their way through. So cosmopolitan! To show roughly how much we've  been riding, here's a photo of just some of our used stubs from the last two days...

If there is an odd man out right now, it's Otto. Obviously, this trip, and Paris specifically, was something Sarah and I wanted to do. And, Stella get's it. She's become a regular travel master. She may not appreciate everything that is going on around her, but there's a lot here for her to love. The grand parks and gardens. The ornamental architecture and art. The light. The fashion. Paris is definitely her kind of city. As evidenced here...

Stella, dancing in a palace courtyard, with her mom's fashionable scarf. (And check out here fashion statement in the Arc de Triomphe photo.)

But, Otto... poor Otto. Unfortunately, a lot of this is just not as interesting to a toddler. And, while we are trying to make concessions and figure out ways to engage him, and while we try to give him downtime at the apartment to rest and play, often his reaction to our adventures drifts somewhere between bewilderment and mild frustration. Including an epic meltdown at a macaroon restaurant this afternoon. So, what does Paris mean to Otto? Well, Paris is a great city to jump off things!

So, this happened...

Otto, jumping from a railing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

 

 Otto jumps off a cement piling next to the carousel.

Otto jumps off a steel pillar it the Louvre.

Otto jumps from a step, on the Arc de Triomphe viewing area.

 

Well, we all travel for our own reasons.