To Paris for Pigeons!

Some say Paris is the City of Love. Well, the Motter Family says Paris is the City of Pigeons! Those city rats were everywhere, but they provided the greatest entertainment for the girls. We're pretty sure their main memory of Paris will be chasing the pigeons.  As for our greatest memories: LOTS of people (holiday weekend), cool sites, stinky bathrooms, amazing architecture, very long lines, mediocre food. Overall, a tad disappointing for me b/c I was sure this would be my highlight trip, but it was just ok. I know for sure that I'm not a large city girl:) However, I'm still VERY glad we went b/c I loved seeing some of the amazing sites.

Here's a few highlights from the trip:

1. Neat hotel wth a GREAT location - right on Avenue Champ Elsyees, only 3 blocks from the Arch de Triomph!  There were amazing stores and restaurants all around us - but none we could really enjoy with the rediculous prices and the attachment of 2 kids:) However, we did enjoy a Starbucks each morning!!!!

2. Day 1 - Eiffle Tower and Trocadero Gardens (girls loved splashing in the large water pools) and Arch de Triomphe and girls enjoyed playing in a neighborhood playground we happened to walk by

3. Day 2 - Spent the day using the Boat Bus to hop on/off at various locations. We saw the Notre Dam Cathedral, tasted Berthillon Ice Cream, ate a great lunch while looking at the Cathedral, girls played in a large sandbox on the south side of the Cathedral (and were apparently great photo opps for many Asian tourists there), saw the Louvre and walked around Tuilleries Gardens where we also enjoyed a nice afteroon Cafe au Lait.

4. Day 3 - KID'S DAY - Educated ourselves at the Cite de Enfants (Children's Science Museum) and then meandered through and played in the Parc de al Villette.

So, we saw lots - went inside nothing (lines and kids) - ate only mediocre food (biggest shocker) - and didn't even find a Pandora charm for me!  But, we did see amazing sites, many fun people to watch, ate wonderful croissants and ice cream, and chased birds!

Craziest part was feeling "at home" when we crossed the border back into Germany. We realized that we could read or at least figure out the road signs and just felt more comfortable!  STRANGE!!!

Here's some pictures from the weekend:

Eiffel Tower



Arch de Triomphe





The Girls Posing with the Eiffel Tower







Racing to see Statures - and Birds!





Notre Dame Cathedral





The Family Shot with the Cathedral




Notre Dam from the Boat Bus





The Girl at The Louvre



Play time at the Kids Museum



Peek-a-Boo Chloe





Life is a Maze - but more fun with your sister at your side!