Cherry blossoms, Etta James, and Randomness at the Park

At last my love spring has come along... [insert Etta James voice] ...my lonely days are oooover.... and life is like a song... 

Ah man, if only Simon Cowell could hear me... until that day I guess I'll stick to singing to the towel bar and shampoo bottle. Such is life I suppose. 

Okay, back to the point of this post: it's officially spring! I mean, like, sun shining, birds singing spring. At least today it is--the weather is so unpredictable over here that the general motto is just to take each day as it comes. 

Spring is hands-down the best season in the Paris area and I have been way too cooped up during this pregnancy to not take advantage of any ray of sunshine that I can get (trust me, it was between getting out of the house or throttling the cat). Thus I decided to go to the mall. Haha you thought I was going to say the park, right? Well, I did go to the park but only when seeing it as I exited the centre commercial...yeah, I know, judge all you want, I've become that girl...

After basking contentedly on a bench with book in hand I decided some exploring was in order (both the park and mall are relatively new). That's when I stumbled onto some rather odd park attractions that I just couldn't resist sharing...  

First there was this raised garden bed packed with lettuce and fresh herbs... Not so odd in the grand scheme of things, right? I mean, I'm from the Northwest--I can get down with a little urban gardening and whatnot. But then I stumbled onto this...

It's fake grass, but have you ever seen a grass covered basketball court? Does the ball even bounce? I mean, I'm not the best dribbler in the world but I still make an effort. Maybe the French don't dribble? (jk, they do, just maybe not on this court...) 

But oh, this was my favorite. I have literally never seen anything like it... 

Who needs LA Fitness when you've got your local park? Don't be fooled by the bright primary colors folks--this gym means business. All the equipment of a full time gym, right next to the playground.  

 I mean, can't you just picture it? "Have fun honey on the playground, Daddy's going to elliptical it up for a bit..." Please don't ask me what the blue equipment is in the background.... Tanning and abs combined, maybe?