Mardi Gra 2011

This weekend we took Lily to her (and consequently my) first Mardi Gra parade.  I don't recall being to a parade since I was a wee one myself and I have to say, that is a shame.  There was cotton candy, brass bands, king cake, as well as beads and all sorts of goodies flying through the air.  It was fun.  Better yet, it was free fun.  Gotta love that.

While we waited for the party to begin, we found a grassy knoll where Lily could play ball.  It was a life saver, as we arrived an hour before the parade began.  Not by any great time management skills of ours, I assure you.  We thought it began at noon.  We arrived at 12:15, only to discover it didn't start until 1:00.  Just lucky happenstance.

After buying her a Sponge Bob Mardi Gra hat and balloon she insisted she would cherish forever and ever (which she promptly abandoned...$20 well wasted), Lily got the best spot in the house to watch the parade.

It didn't take Lily long to notice that the floats, while bright and colorful, were also full of goodies. She was soon begging for favors right along with the rest of the crowd.

And she definitely got her fair share of mardi gra beads.  Though, thankfully, not by the traditional method. We now have a large bucket filled to brim with the shiny, colorful things.

Her favorite parts of the parade, however, were the marching bands.  Once she saw them, she was in heaven, beating "drums" everywhere she went.  Of course, now she keeps begging me for a drum set.

Those manning the floats looked like they were having a grand time as well.

I can't imagine why...



It was a great kick-off to our Mardi Gra celebrations, and we were late to the game.  These parades and parties have been going on for over a month now.  This weekend we get to go to the family Mardi Gra.  I'm told that is where the real fun is to be had.

Can't wait.

A good laugh and a long sleep

The only thing I hate more than being sick, is being sick on such a beautiful day. 

Ernie has been sick all week, and I've been determined to not catch what he has.  Apparently, my determination is not enough.  So instead of enjoying this gorgeous day with the bug, I am drinking tea and languishing with a sore throat and sinus headache.  I find myself irrationally angry at Ernie in particular and germs in general for getting me sick.  I still have hope that it will be a short lived illness.  Because tomorrow, we are getting out of here.

Lily has been entertaining herself rather well, I think.

Here's hoping for good health.

When a tree falls in the woods

The other day Lily and I were in the parking lot of the grocery store waiting behind about five other cars to turn onto the street.  Suddenly Lily starts yelling, "Get out of my way you stupid, redneck drivers!"

....um

I swear, she didn't get it from me. 

Okay, so there is a very small, remote possibility that she got it from me. 

FINE!  I say it *all* the time, so it is almost assured that she picked it up from me.  I have a problem with road rage.  Apparently, I am passing it on to my daughter.  I think there are better things I could pass on to her.  I really need to be more careful with what I say around my little sponge.

Because seriously?  A little girl this cute and sweet should not be saying such ugly things.  Consider me properly reprimanded.  Or rather, I was...after I stopped laughing, that is.

ps: Do you like the tutu I made?  I feel so crafty.  Thanks, Jenny, for the inspiration.

You really must listen to this.  It will change your opinion of the cello forever.  I loved it so much that I bought one of the musicians albums on itunes (though this particular song was not available.  I was very sad)

A hundred acorns sown in silence

This past weekend was a rather relaxed one.  We didn't do much, but we did have fun.

Like digging for clams at Lake Pontchartrain.

Really, anything involving water is an instant hit with the bug.

Especially when her Daddy teaches her how to throw rocks into it.

It is quite a task to get a picture of Lily looking at the camera.  She usually smiles, but her eyes are always on whatever it is she is doing at the time.  So this time I told her to look right into the camera.  So of course, she came right up as close as she could get and stuck her face in the camera.  She's still not looking at it, though.  *sigh*

We also took her to Borders in New Orleans for a Silverlicious Celebration.  It was adorable and I was too busy enjoying it with Lily to take many pictures.  They had Pinkalicious drinks, along with brownies and cookies as snacks. And Lily left with a ton of great swag.  Pink bouncy balls, pink pencils, Pinkalicious stickers, a tiara and a Fancy Nancy coin purse.  There were games and crafts and, of course, a reading of Silverlicious.  She was in heaven.  It made me wish I had waited to get her the book so she could have bought it there.  Ah well.  She got a new Skippyjon Jones book, so she was happy (if you haven't read them, you should definitely check them out.  Lily can't get enough of that silly Siamese cat who thinks he's a chihuahua).

As a bonus, her Valentine from Grandma and Aunt Jenny came just before we left the house, so Lily got to wear this lovely tutu Aunt Jenny made just for her.  I love having crafty family members.  It makes up for my complete lack of creativity.

On a different note, Mardi Gras is next weekend.  I am so excited to experience it for the first time.  Lily and I are going to the family Mardi Gras, since the actual one is not suitable for children.  I'm still thrilled.  They'll have several big musicians performing and all sorts of food and crafty booths and parades.  Fun will be had by all, I am sure.  I hope our camera is fixed by then, because I really want to take some good pictures while we're there.

Happy Love Day

The lens on our good camera broke.  I'm very sad.  But I know I should feel grateful that we still have our point-and-shoot camera.  It isn't as good as our D60, but it doesn't suck either.  Still, I'm bummed.  Now we have to wait until it is fixed.

Waking up to this beautiful bouquet went far to making me feel better, though.  I love my honey.  He is so thoughtful.

And of course, he would never forget a valentine for his best girl.  Lily came running into my room this morning clutching her beauuuuuutiful balloon from Daddy. (she insisted I take the picture with the valentine she made for Daddy, too)

Then she got sugar for breakfast.  A true treat, since she doesn't get sugar anymore. 

Happy Love Day, everyone.  Forget the commercialism of the day and focus on those who own your heart.

Do Not Feed the Alligators

To the person who inspired the installation of this sign at Fontainebleau State Park, you deserve a big, fat stupid sign.  I mean, really?  Who needs to be warned against feeding the enormous and frightening progeny of deinosuchus?

I have decided to enjoy my time in Louisiana as much as possible and find things I love, rather than enumerating all the things I can't stand about the place.  We only have a few weeks left to enjoy it, after all.  And how many people get the opportunity to live in so many different places? 

To further that goal, I've decided to partake of the breathtaking and diverse natural beauties of this state.  And there truly is quite a bit natural beauty here.  So yesterday, Lily and I packed up our gear and headed to Fontainebleau State Park for a brisk, winter hike.

We had a great time and, once I got over my somewhat (but not entirely, as you can see from the picture below) irrational fear of Lily getting eaten by an alligator, basked in the surprising loveliness of the area.

We saw everything from cottonmouths (yes, one of the most venomous snakes and we had the privilege of running into it...lucky us)

...to cardinals 

...to alligators

.
..to white-tailed deer

      

And many, many more. 

It was a gorgeous day, despite being 48 degrees. Lily collected lots of new and beautiful treasures for her collection, and we hiked for about two miles (I use the term "hike" lightly.  It was more like a meandering nature walk), at the end of which was the aptly-named Alligator Boardwalk.

Once we ran all over the marsh and saw many new and exciting creatures, Lily decided she was tired and I got the distinct privilege of carrying my 38 pound toddler back two miles to the trail head.  Let me tell you, it was fun.  But on the plus side, it was a great workout.  Next time, however, I will bring our backpack carrier, just in case.

  

It was a serene, peaceful day.  I love taking Lily to new, fun-filled places each week, but I love days like these even more.  It makes us step back from excitement and seemingly-constant stimulation and enjoy some peace and tranquility.  It also gives me a chance really talk with Lily and spend some time getting to know her.  She is so very bright and energetic and eager to learn everything.  She amazes me every single day.  Days like these, I think, are important to maintain a connection with her.  I want her to always trust me and know she can talk to me about anything, no matter what.  I believe that starts now, with moments like these.