So we lucked out big time this year with a great apartment only a block from the route. We all had a place to pee, and I made hot food for each day. Not that we needed hot food though. The weather was perfect--cool in the morning, a little warm during the day with sunny skies, and not a drop of rain for seven straight days. It took Aunt Carol, Aunt Debbie and I about 30 minutes to figure out how to reassemble the kids' platform, but once it was up, it was a great way to keep the kids all in one place. Aunt Carol bought me my favorite, a box of moon pies, just in case I didn't catch enough of them. Aimee and I had silly costumes, masks, and headbands for each day. The people were friendly. Jeremy had a great ride in Druids. I had fun marching and dancing with the Nawlins' Nymphs in Krewe d'Etat. Jim Caviezel smiled right at me as he threw me a doubloon in Bacchus. The boys caught so many toys, including plungers, toilet brushes, frogs, snakes, hats, swords, dinosaurs and more! I wore wigs for five straight days. We had more light-up stuff than we knew what to do with. So many family and friends met us out at our spot to enjoy each day with us. Some of my favorite moments were the simplest ones, like holding Sam while he napped, watching the floats go by and seeing everyone's hands up in the air waving and yelling. There is nothing like Mardi Gras with children. As hectic and chaotic as it was carrying ladders and chairs back and forth, changing diapers on the neutral ground (YES, he's still in diapers), the memories and photos we captured last week are priceless. I know I wouldn't trust my Mardi Gras to anyone else but Mom, Aunt Carol and Aunt Debbie. Thanks y'all for another amazing and delightful Mardi Gras! Sam is still singing Mardi Gras Mambo in the car.
Our first big parade of the season was Callie's parade, the Krewe of Barkus, and the theme was "Pirates of the Crescent City: Barkus tells tales of Jean LaFleabag." As always, Callie was the best looking pup in the parade, by far! And she made an adorable parrot! While my corset vest didn't fit quite as well as it did back in October, I think we all still fit the part as pirates very well. Aunt Debbie didn't even recognize us! Oh, and thanks to Jonathan, Micah and Logan for the potty break!
We're happy to report that the work on Napoleon was finally complete and the neutral ground has never looked better. New lights were installed, grass was laid down, and the giant hole was finally filled in. Napoleon and Prytania is THE place to be!
Despite being almost 16 weeks pregnant, I kept up with my girls, dancing and marching with the Nawlins' Nymphs. We saw so many friends on the route, and our light-up tutus were a big hit. So glad to have Tracey and Sara join us this year too!
We joined in Jessica's new tradition of brunching at Arnaud for Lundi Gras and it was fabulous. First off, we were BY FAR, THE BEST DRESSED in the entire restaurant. People started clapping. The food was delicious and the company was even better. Looking forward to keeping this new tradition alive!
Monday night was entertaining to say the least. Boys, remind me to tell you the story about Granny moving someone else's car that blocked our friends in, and parking it down the street--when you're older...
I sewed the last bead on our skirts sometime around midnight Mardi Gras morning. But the stress of all the Mardi Gras costumes was totally worth it. Aimee and I had a blast in our
And check out this lucky guy! Man, he had his hands full with us this year! I'm very thankful that he's always up for whatever crazy/silly costume ideas I have. Just wait til our little "girl" joins our krewe... Can't wait til next year!
