The Chocolate Goatee

There is yet another wonderful bakery on Rue Montorgueil, Patisserie Stohrer.  They have a ice cream freezer sitting outside on the sidewalk to lure kids and people with a sweet tooth.  Picked up some on our way home with a bag of chocolate truffles and a bag of mini-madeleines.  The sun doesn't set until around 9pm because they don't do Daylight Savings Time.  It's great because we get a little more daylight, but it seems like summer because of the late sunset.  A very nice cool summer evening which I've never had before.

Since it was on the way home, I tried to get dinner at a recommended restaurant near the Hotel de Ville.  We found it, but dinner service doesn't start until 7pm.  It was only about 4:30pm so Matt went off in search of another bistro while I sat and Jack napped on my shoulder.  He found another place that was open.  At Cafe Louis Philippe, the food was much better than expected.  When Jack awoke in my lap, he attacked my tagliatelle with cream sauce.  We were surprised and delighted.  The wine probably helped too.  For us, not Jack, of course.  The restaurant had a full bar and Matt got to try some Pernod, a pastis.  It comes with a large bottle of water to dilute it, but it's still a very strong licorice flavor.  

Jack and Sean are wondering why Daddy is so excited about this disgusting-smelling liquid when Momma and Daddy make funny faces after they take sips?  Oh, and this is for the South Park fans out there.

High-Flying Snack Time

Had to break down and pick up some snack food on the second floor.  The babas thought their pretzels were so funny because of their large size.  Wait til they see the ones in Germany!

This was after we went into the gift shop and broke one of their plastic snowglobes.  Ah, the joys of traveling with young children!

Descent from La Tour Eiffel

The Top of the Eiffel Tower

The Ascent

Finally, we got to the elevator!

The Line for the Eiffel Tower

I tried to buy tickets for the summit online, but the first date available was for June 16th!  We did find out that there was only ONE elevator working though, so we knew the line would be very long.  Glad I packed some snacks for the boys.

The line was very long and snaked all over the place.  We got in line behind a huge family from Russia, and one of the grandmas almost had a fit when a group of about 40 British teens were going to join the women waiting in line ahead of them.  One of the chaperones tried to explain their situation, but they found themselves at the end of the line.  Yeah, it was pretty hot too.  So glad I packed some snacks.

 

Le Tour Eiffel

We read books about Paris and talked to the babas about the Eiffel Tower.  So they have been asking to go. 

Tumi Bag 1, Pickpocket 0

Off to the Metro this morning to go see the Eiffel Tower.  Babas were pretty excited about riding the train again.  They were especially excited about the RER trains that were double-decker trains.  In fact, Sean insisted that I take a picture of one.

In the Metro system, we carry Jack just because it's safer, but it's not easy carrying a 37-pound two-year-old.  I was carrying Jack on my left side and trying to board the train.  Some woman pressed close on my right and I felt a tug on my purse.  Once I passed the two large steps to board, I immediately turned to my right and saw no one.  Then I turned left and saw a dark-haired woman leaving the train.  A pickpocket!  Now that I think about it though, it might have been someone else.  Still, an unsuccessful pickpocket!  The zipper of the main compartment was unzipped about 2-3 inches, but nothing was taken.  Told Matt and the babas about it after we were situated in our seats. 

Petit Dejuner Part Deux

There are three or four bakeries here on Rue Montorgueil, so I figured we could try another out for the second breakfast.  Last night the boys were checking out the window of Eric Kayser.  I picked up croissants, pain chocolat, madeleines, and chocolate chip cookies (for our snack later).  The madeleines were supposed to be part of our afternoon snack, but they didn't make it.

Yesterday, Jack only took a few bites of everything, so we decided to pick up some cereal and milk for breakfast too.