Laissez les bons temps rouler

Last week we met Jean's mom in N'awlins, then hung around for a few days, taking in the sights and sounds and smells of the Big Easy. Adam enjoyed himself immensely, as the trolley train was an important transportation option for us. He loves trains. He loves trolleys. So New Orleans trolley trains are like the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of public transportation for him.

We went to the zoo, the aquarium, rode the ferry boat across the river and back, drove to a wildlife refuge and saw gators, snakes, ducks, and other wildlife, and Jean and I even walked Bourbon Street one evening while Beth supervised a sleeping Adam. While it's fun on some level to simply people-watch, it only reinforced for us our belief that Bourbon Street is just spring break for old people, and that is a thing best left to others.

On to the pictures:

Our hotel had a pool. Adam likes pools:

For some reason, Adam decided this statue of a gorilla needed a hug. That boy ain't right:

Videos to come.

"This Business Will Get Out Of Control. It Will Get Out Of Control And We'll Be Lucky To Live Through It"

Observation One: Recorded high temperatures (in Fahrenheit, you wacky Canucks!) in West Monroe, LA:

April 1: 81

April 2: 82

April 3: 82

April 4: 84

April 5: 84

April 6: 84

April 7: 82

April 8: 69

April 9: 76

April 10: 77

April 11: 80

April 12: 82

April 13: 83

Today: 83

Observation Two: Average high temperatures for West Monroe, LA for the following months:

June: 91

July: 94

August: 94

September: 89

Conclusion: West Monroe, LA is about to become a brain-melting hellscape.

Consolation Prizes

They may not be on the level of Craig Ferguson, but here are two of my favorite recent Adam videos. In the first, Adam, wearing the oversized boots Jean the Easter Bunny brought him, finds his Easter eggs and places them in the basket with all the delicacy and care one expects from a two year-old:

Here, Adam plays with his Easter puppy, while taking care of business:

And for maximum embarassment, the Saddest Dog In The World:

She wandered too close to the bathroom during bathtime. She hasn't made that mistake again since.

The Greatest Thing In...

EVER:


Whatever you kids say these days when something is... uh, good, you kids, say it now.

Bouncing in the "Bouncy Tottington Hall" - by Jean

The Easter Egg Hunt at our gym included a bouncer - one of Adam's favorite activities, which is funny, since he has only done it one other time.

"Bouncy Tottington Hall" - If you haven't seen "Wallace and Gromit: Revenge of the WereRabbit," you must.

Happy Easter (and day before, also!) - by Jean

Ah, Easter! This year was much more exciting than last year - Adam was interested in picking up eggs, getting baskets of goodies, and just generally had a good time, until he was so tired noone had a good time!

We started with pictures to get into the mood. Notice eggs, flowers, rabbits, etc on the fridge. And a creepy picture outline from the museum.... Then on Saturday morning it was off to our gym (the Monroe Athletic Club) for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. All I can say to the parents is, GET THERE EARLY. Adam ended up with 9 eggs, and that is because he cheated and picked up 3 before it really got started (how am I going to argue with a 2 year old over waiting 2 minutes to pick up eggs that are right in front of his feet?)! The older kids were all muttering to themselves over his "cheating" but they all got LOTS more eggs.

Then Adam bounced in what we like to call the "Bouncy Tottington Hall" bouncer (anyone who has ever inserted their child into one so they can bounce for "2 minutes", and then had to extract them 50 minutes later, kicking and screaming, knows what I am talking about).

Adam was SO TIRED after bouncing (see separate video) that he was happy to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap and get his picture. In fact, he just about pitched a fit when he was told his turn was over - he just wanted to sit and hug the poor Easter Bunny all day! I thought 2 year olds were supposed to fear and loathe large animal-like people, but not him!

Here is our effort to make Easter Eggs on Saturday evening. I don't know if you can see the cracks and indentations in these eggs - they had some pretty rough treatment in the coloring process.

Adam had a great time - I figured he didn't need to get dye on his clothes, so he was diapers and sandals only. And it's a good thing, as he had dye from head to toe by the time he was done. It may have had to do with his technique - toss the eggs into the cups from about shoulder height, at full force. The splashes went several feet in all directions!

Most of the eggs spent time in each color, and we had a hard time putting them in the egg carton - it was too much fun to keep dipping them!

We don't have a picture of the Easter Basket, but it came with "robot dog" that barks and walks, rubber boots for splashing in the rain, multiple dinosaurs, and 1 package of blue rabbit marshmallow candies, which he has yet to eat (probably best to wait on those for a while!).

Notice the new boots on his feet as he finds eggs in the back yard - it's a good thing he had them, as it was humid and wet out there this morning!

SUCCESS! Also notice the grass down his arm - he took one or two tumbles in his new boots, which may be a size (or 3) too big. Maybe he was better off without them!

And "robot dog" was a HUGE success, so much so that his presence was requested in the bathroom later that day while Adam took care of some business.

After all the excitement, we had egg salad sandwiches for lunch (brightly colored egg salad, I must say), and then went over to Restoration Park for a hike to tire out the overstimulated boy (Easter is exhausting, but SO EXCITING!) so he would nap. Except that I needed a nap by the time we were done!

It will be hard to get back to the regular schedule after all this fun - I told Ted that Adam will expect the Easter Bunny to be at the gym every day now!

Things small boys do in Louisiana in March (by Jean)

Actually, this is Texas, but not too far over the border! Caddo Lake State Park is great for camping, and eating s'mores. Camping is a good opportunity to drive those tractors places they haven't been before.

Riding in the canoe is so much fun - splashing the water and trying to "fall" in is even better.

Hiking turns out to be a lot of work (for the people who are with Adam). Lots of stops for snacks, rest breaks, and the occasional ride on shoulders to make it around the trails.

So many sticks to pick up, rocks to find, dirt to dig in.... and so little time!

Back home in Louisiana, so much to see and do. Driving tractors at the local dealership - Yahoo! Good thing Jean had to work at this open house event so Adam could come and try out all the tractors!

Adam helps out with the composting, or at least tries out the new setup before we put anything in it (other than him).

Gardening is always better wearing a cowboy hat - even if he can't see what he is doing! We planted snap peas, swiss chard, lettuce, and squash. We will see how they grow, given Adam's fondness for "weeding."

Off roading in the back yard. Lots of tree roots and other fun bumps to go over! In short, we are having a ball in LA. Weather now in the 80s, humidity on the rise, work is busy.... what is not to like!

Jean