Paris: Notre Dame and Jardins du Luxembourg

Today was actually our first full day in Paris and we didn't want to overdo it. The plan was Notre Dame and Jardins dy Luxembourg. We stared with Notred Dame, where Finley was in no mood to be photographed and took off running whenever we tried to. Once we got inside, she knew she had to be silent. She wasn't impressed with the stained glass windows or the flying buttresses or any of the statues. She loved the offering candles. At each section, she had to go over and see them more closely. I was so worried she would try and blow them out. About one third of the way in, I heard what I have feared all trip, "mommy, I have to go potty." We got out of Notre Dame as quickly as we could and went off in search of bathrooms. She was promised pink ice cream if she could hold it. Luckily, Old McDonalds came to the rescue. There was one just a few blocks away. The bathroom had a passcode you got from a receipt, but we just followed a guy in. Thank goodness!
We were already en route to Jardins du Luxembourg, so we decided to continue that way. I wanted Finley to get a sailboat to push around in the fountain and to be able to play in the private play park. We got the closest thing to pink ice cream we could find to enjoy in the park. As we approached the fountain, I didn't see a sailboat in sight. Or anywhere to get one. The most recent information I have found was from last year, so I am not sure why there were no boats today. I was very disappointed and I worried the park would be a bust. Then we found the play area. You have to pay to get in, but it was worth every penny. Finley had an absolute blast running all over the park and playing on all the equipment. Her most favorite was the zip line swings. She fell off her second time, but it didn't phase her a bit. I cannot count the number of times she went on it. Clifton and I think Grandma needs to install one on the ranch. After hours of play, we toured the park a bit, then made our way back to Notre Dame to finish our tour, with a break in between for a snack. Finley chose a chocolate eclair and decided she only liked the filling, so she ate that with a spoon.

After Notre Dame. we headed to the Left Bank to eat at our favorite restaurant here, Le Petit Pontoise. Since we had last dined there five years ago, they have taken over the restaurant next door to become Le Petit Pontoise and Le Petit Pontoise Aussi. Both were still closed when we got there at 6 pm, so we decided to walk down St. Germain and explore the neighborhood. We walked by again at 6:30 pm and ran into the owner. She said they wouldn't serve until 7 pm, but we were welcome to come inside and sit. We told her we would just walk around a bit more and return at 7 pm.

We crossed back over to Notre Dame, this time taking a bridge covered in locks. The story goes that a couple gets a lock, write their name on it and throws the key into the Seine. There were countless locks, many decorated, and there was a handy street vendor you could buy a lock from. Finley said she wanted to bring a lock next time we visit for her and Bear Friend. Awww....We found a neat little park behind Notre Dame and played there until 7 pm. We headed back for dinner where two couples complimented Finley on her behavior. It was a full time effort to entertain her the whole time (lots of talking about the upcoming picnic with Max to see The Little Mermaid and lots of reading a French book she has,) but she made it through the two hour dinner without incident. She dined on cheese ravioli and lamb, with more ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow is Sacre Couer, Arche de Triumphe and trying to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Wish us luck!