So on this Autumn day in October, the boys did what children are designed to do when let loose in a sprawling little city... they maneuvered through it like it was one giant obstacle course. Holding my breath as they weave through and around crowded boulevards and cobbled walkways (to the dismay of tourists, rollerbladers and strolling Parisians who'd prefer not to be sideswiped by a meter high torpedo), the boys are becoming more and more at ease within the streets of Paris, their scooters gliding through the city like crayons along a drawing, "feeling something deep and native within them expand and enlarge and illumine*..."
Some of their favorite spaces to ride their trottinette are pictured above - between the stone columns inside the arcades of the Palais Royal, the wide sidewalks on the perimeter of Jardin du Luxembourg and the southern end of the Place du Carrousel against the backdrop of the Louvre. I remind them what a great privilege it is to have such a playground, the former space of royals... and for now I skip certain details like when there was once a menacing guillotine on the very plaza they just ran through (I leave that to their teachers ;).
* a quote from Global Mom, the book I just finished reading and wanted to share. It is a wonderfully inspiring and thoughtfully engaging memoir by Melissa Dalton-Bradford about her experiences of settling in and being unsettled in various global locales (including Paris) with her large family. Despite the stumbles and struggles, she beautifully illustrates how to define home and thrive within a community. Melissa's writing is wise, warm and full of wit and humor.
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What lucky boys, to know Paris intimately, as "home". I like your title.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cynthia! It's an experience that continues to leave me in awe... and for which I'm extremely grateful.
DeleteThis just makes me smile. Oh the beauty that surrounds your boys on a daily basis. I hope that one day they look back upon your photos and SEE it. I'm sure at the moment, they are so busy being boys at play that they don't even notice the magnificence of the scenery that surrounds them. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kathy! Having this blog is very much tied to documenting moments that become living memories, especially of and for my boys. And you're so right, my earnest attempts to stop and make them SEE may not be working so well at the moment, but I hope one day they'll look back and GET it :) xo
DeleteI remember telling my kids on a fairly regular basis that people from "all over the world" save their whole lives to visit {whatever amazing spot we might have been in at the time} and spend a few days or weeks in Paris. My daughter (12 when we left) completely grasped int at the time...my son (9 when we left) just saw it as a place to run and play! He sure does get it now, though! Neither of them ever "scootered' around, but on their bikes, the obstacle course possibilites are endless!!
ReplyDeleteThat would explain why your daughter identifies with and misses Paris so much :) My older son is 10, and I hope like your daughter, he'll be able to fully grasp the significance of these experiences before we leave!
DeleteFor children, the world is their playground (as it should be). I love seeing these stately Parisian scenes with the boys zooming about in them. Scooters were the best toy investment we ever made for our grandchildren. They all have them (Sam just got one for his 3rd birthday). When we had the city house, they'd scoot them downtown to dinner with us and we'd "valet" them inside the foyer of the restaurant while we went in to eat.
ReplyDeleteValet the scooters, I love that Barb! The backdrop of your Colorado landscape would make for some gorgeous photos :)
DeleteWhat an awesome playground, indeed! These images have me shaking my head in wonder. I love all those black street lamps especially. Your boys may not realize fully where they are and all the history of these places, but they obviously are having a grand time!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing and beautiful playground!
ReplyDeleteThey do look so 'at home' and Paris is a great city for children. Your lovely photos make me long to go back!
ReplyDeleteI loved your photos of Paris from your recent trip Dotti! I suspect you're already making a list for your next visit ;)
DeleteWhat an fabulous playground indeed, a city of such history and beauty.
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
I always LOVE to visit your blog and see your wonderful pictures of Parisian life. When my grandies scooter along our suburban footpaths, I didn't even think that youngsters in Paris would do the same. But of course they do! Just on a far grander scale! What an amazing opportunity they have to live in Paris and become a part of this wonderful city. I do hope I will visit Paris again one day. Thank you Catherine for another enchanting blog post from Paris.
ReplyDeleteAw thank you so much Jill! It's an experience for my boys I definitely don't want them to take for granted. For my youngest particularly, his first real memories will be of Paris. Hope you get to visit the city again soon, with your grands and their scooters in tow ;) xo
Deletebeautiful captures Catherine! they are full of joy! and yes, it is wonderful to be surrounded by beauty but I suspect your boys are surrounded by even more love!
ReplyDeleteMwwwwahh! Thank you sweet Jandi!
DeleteYour images tell the story so well!
ReplyDeleteReally love all these shots! How fantastic! Haven't been to Paris in a while! I think it is calling my name!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your very kind comments :) xo
ReplyDeleteYeeHaaw!!!!! Good for them and you. Such joy in this experience.
ReplyDeleteOh the joy of being in a wonderfully old city and to explore it as your sons are doing. They may not yet be taking everything in to remember it years from now, but oh the experience. And, of course, you are going along to document their fun times and share with all of us, Catherine.
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.
ReplyDeleteI just love the city and it is the perfect playground. How awesome to ride scooters in this gorgeous spot. Makes me swoon.
ReplyDeleteCatherine & family, after reading the sorrowful news this weekend about the murderous events in a beautiful city, I hope that yiu and those you love are safe. Sad that such insane individuals are on the loose.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, I've come to your blog to find comfort, and sure enough, here it is: your sons going around the city, feeling at home and accustomed to its every turn and street. You take wonderful pictures of life and the French capital, just what is needed right now. Take care, my friend.
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