france: day 6

How magical, waking up on our sixth day in France with the sun shinning and no sort of agenda. In Paris we were good to have a plan (flexible though) so that we could fit in the things we wanted to do. Here in Nice, we had no plan except that we had to get Adaline an Easter dress and a swimsuit. And we wanted to swim everyday. And we wanted to take a day trip somewhere. So, we started our day with the usual breakfast, croissant, baguette and orange juice/hot chocolate. Before that though, I looked out our window and what did I see? A big, beautiful, bright orange building looking at me.



Of course we stopped to get a snack after that light breakfast. Mmmmm.
We shopped and looked around all day. There was so much to see. Nice has a very different vibe than Paris. I think it must be the sea air. It has a much more relaxed atmosphere which is to be expected I guess. There were lots of families with kids in strollers wandering around. Ada was drawn to the store fronts with all of the chocolate displays. Go figure
I was fascinated by the huge earthenware pots filled with sugared (confit) fruits. They were so beautiful and there were such a variety of fruits, I loved it.

Pretty tile floors
I wish I had taken photos of Ada shopping for her dress. We stopped at Monoprix, my favorite store and found her a perfect rose colored toile dress. We also found her a cute swimsuit. I still cannot believe I forgot to pack our suits. I am the girl who brings her swimsuit everywhere just in case! Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb, that's what kept going through my head while we were shopping. It was easy to find something for Ada. I was the one who was hooped. There was no way I was going to waste my time in France looking for a swimsuit that fit my pregnant body. That's upsetting enough to do in the US. No way. I just swam in my clothes. We also found cute home stuff in Habitat and Maisons du Monde. Ada's favorite place was a little boutique that sold all sorts of brightly colored things. All sorts of cool things. I posted just a few of the pictures she took in this store. Have I mentioned that I love going through the pictures my girl took on our trip? She's got quite an artistic eye.



After looking around and eating lunch at our little pizzaria we hit the beach and spent the rest of the day playing and laying out. It was low to mid 60's. Not super warm but if I laid really still I could imagine the sun soaking into my bones and drying my clothes. Lovely feeling.
Adaline setting up her spot with her "beach"umbrella and towel.
I'm in before Adaline.


I love floating. I was just thinking what a heavenly experience this was. I am such a lucky girl!


Adaline started collecting beach glass immediately. There were no shells but this glass was fun to hunt for.
We tried to eat at this restaurant two different days for lunch but it closed from 1pm till 5pm and we kept missing it. Finally we made it for dinner! It was amazing! I had the gnocchi.
We were seated up stairs and had a view of this mouthwatering selection of who knows what! We just watched the waiters grab a plate and throw a little bit of everything on it and hurry away to some lucky diner. When we ordered we just pointed down there and said we want that. It was an antipasti platter. Unreal. I still don't even know what some of it was.

Ada digging into her pasta. Then she took a picture of it.


We passed this fountain all the time but it was especially pretty lit up at night.

Dance Party

Need I say more....

Jacob

france trip: day 5

Monday morning we caught an early train south, five hours to Nice. It was so cool to watch the countryside change from green and soft to dry and rocky. I loved seeing the villages all tight and compact then miles and miles of pasture all around. I remember my first glimpse of the Mediterranean. I could not believe I was really in the south of France! A true dream come true.
A sign we saw as we were walking to our hotel. That's my girl!!

This is the main street leading straight to the sea.
Pizza for lunch. Since Nice is so close to the border there are a lot of Italian influences around. Adaline and Jodie made me laugh. They loved this restaurant! We ate here for lunch two days in a row. Here is our picture menu.

Mmmmm. That green stuff is not guacamole. It is olive tapenade. Delicious.
Ada was obsessed with this chocolate mousse. She ate it so fast we couldn't get a picture of it.
It was my lucky day. Another antique market set up on one of the streets down town. Did I mention how much I love old things? Especially old French things sold on the street a block away from the Mediterranean Sea? Ada took many more photos while Jodie and I shopped. She was composing some pretty interesting pictures.


I really wish I had bought this clock.

Finally, the sea!!
The water was just a little chilly, just cold enough to think, I'm just going to get my toes wet. Then your feet are numb and you creep farther in. Pretty soon you're thinking, Why didn't I just bring a towel! I always end up getting in anyway!





The beach was all rock. It was very beautiful but not very comfortable.

On our way back to the hotel. I hated leaving the water but I was ready for some rest.
Another carousel, this one is two levels. Really interesting.
Tucked in for the night. Ada doing her homework. Jodie checking in with Jared. In Paris Jodie had her own room. It was much more fun having her stay with us at night.