Andy Turns Nine!

Andy turned nine a little over a week ago, and we had his party a little early, as his birthday fell on a Tuesday. He's not a huge cake fan, so we went the giant cookie-cake route. We have no All-American Cookie Companies here (go figure), or anyone else that I know of that make cookie cakes, so we did it ourselves.


The boys played, ate pizza, and watched one of favorite all-time movies, The Sandlot.


On his actual birthday, we had pulled-pork sandwiches and some cake. Which he happily ate. Maybe he's coming around to cake. He even lit his own birthday candles. I instinctively reached to take the lighter from him, and he objected with, "But I light the candles at church when I alter serve!" Um, yeah, sometimes you do. Um, okay. I guess.


He thoroughly enjoyed his candle-lighting.

Happy Birthday, Andy!! We love you! :o)

Last of the Latest Trip Down South

Earlier in the trip, Mom and I and the boys were driving around, and decided to go by the Board of Trade to show the boys where the big party was for Mommy and Papi's wedding. It was a little tricky to get in. The wrought-iron gates were locked to the courtyard, but we found a hotel down the street that had a door that led to the alley, and voila! I had forgotten just how HUGE the doors were to this place. Massive.


On this Sunday morning the boys and I went with Dad over to the garden/landscaping show that was going on at the Botanical Gardens in City Park. Dad is displaying his purchase of two crepe myrtles. It was such a pretty, WARM day! After this we walked across the street and swung in the giant double-sided swings for a while.

The next day I was able to sneak away for a quick visit with Rebecca, Edward, and the newest addition to the family, Henry (via Sam and Abbie)!

He's a cutie!

How could I NOT take a picture of that rear-end?

I returned back to Mom's house to find kite-fliers.






A little later we headed to Metairie and visited Dad at work. He's looking very official here as he describes what the State of Louisiana is investigating at the moment. If you're collecting unemployment and you are currently employed, consider yourself warned.

We then headed over to Clearview mall for our second visit to the bouncy place where they harness you up and you can jump and flip yourself silly. I don't have a picture, but Mom posted some video here.

And a last shot of Mom and Bill from dinner that evening. Say cheese!

Latest trip down South - Part 2

Before we start with round two, here's a shot that Mom took the evening we arrived. Dad picked us up from the airport and brought us to Mom's house, where she had set the table so prettily, and made a nice meal for us, Auntie Claire, Bill, and Dad. I love all the green in this picture! We're a bit color-deprived up here at the moment. The snow is almost gone, and there is brown everywhere. Anxiously awaiting green!


So where were we? ZOO! Auntie Claire, the boys and I and my friend Heidi headed to the Audubon Zoo one beautifully sunny day.


Tortoise eating banana.

White tiger glaring.


Bear perched atop log. LOOK at the claws.


Snake!

Iguana, and....

baby and mama orangutan. Coincidentally, one of my favorite songs by The Iguanas is Orangutan!


Chillaxin' on the komodo dragon.


Auntie Claire, Andy, Sam, and Heidi by a statue.

CRAWFISH!!


More to come....

Latest trip South - Part 1

Andy, Sam, and I went to New Orleans for their Spring Break a couple weeks ago. As in past trips, I neglected to take out my camera to commemorate each visit, getting carried away by the visit itself. In some instances, Mom was with us and would think to take a picture. So the images that follow are a good representation of our visit, but there are gaps.

On this warm, sunny day the boys and I were hangin' at Audubon Park. Many egrets were enjoying this oak tree.



We played at the playground, then walked over to Tulane. I pointed out the Lindy Boggs building, where Otto and I spent 80% of our time as engineering students. And, Holy Pedestrian Walkway, Batman - this used to be a road for cars!


As we walked back to the car, I took a picture of the movie set that they were filming in the park. Title: Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer. Yes, really. This scene seemed very unvampirish.



We ended this day with Nicole and her family at Juan's Flying Burrito, which is conveniently located a block from their house. I'd never been there before - excellent food. And margaritas. And the company was outstanding! I wish I could show you a picture.

On this day we walked around the Quarter a bit.

And ate some beignets with Mom and Bill.

Later that day I took my sister and the boys downtown to see The Radiators. Good music, good food, and Abita beer!


And another day....


This day we went to the Insectarium and found out all about bugs, creepy crawlies, termites, and there was even an alligator in the swamp exhibit.


In the butterfly garden...


And Mom snapped this one of me and the boys with Ellen, Georgia, and Jack (who graciously waited for us, as we were running quite late that afternoon), after consuming our Plum Street snowballs.


Yay for family, friends, and snowballs! :o)

Andy's prints

Andy made these at school. The original image was drawn with toothpicks into a rectangular styrofoam plate.There is another redder one that's hanging on the wall of his classroom. He presented these to us at his parent/teacher conference last night. :o)

From Andy, to whoever is reading this:
I hope you like them a LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cross-country skiing

Andy, Sam, and I have also tried cross country skiing this winter. Downhill skis scare me. Cross-country skis I can handle.

There were some FAT snowflakes falling on this particular day. Golf courses transition nicely to cross-country ski areas in the winter up here.



These were taken on the last day of Jackrabbits, which is a cross-country ski program for kids that meets for about 8 weeks. Parents are encouraged to attend as well.

Andy going through a hoop set up on a bumpy course that some of the parents had built.


Sam strikes a pose, as he so often does.


Sam getting his certificate of completion at the end with his group.



With as much snow as we've gotten the last few days, hopefully we'll head out again later this week!

Next sport on tap to try - Lacrosse: The National Sport of Canada.