Gardening with Grandma

Ben and Grandma did some gardening at the community butterfly garden yesterday and then went to the park to play for a bit. While at the butterfly garden, they released Grandma's other butterfly, put new food out for the butterflies and watered the plants.

Then they went over to the playground next door to the butterfly garden. I guess I know why people put hoods on their lenses - I got a surprise rainbow in my pictures. Oh well, it gives it kind of a cool effect.

Christmas in the French Quarter

Tuesday we went down to the French Quarter to walk around and check out some of the Christmas decorations in the hotels. Our first stop was the Ritz. They had a really cool gingerbread city, complete with the Superdome, Cathedral and French Market. They also had a huge Christmas tree in the courtyard.

Then we went over to the Roosevelt. They had their walkway set up like a winter wonderland. It was very pretty with the giant chandeliers and light trees.

Is That Where You Belong?

Mr Nicholas sure does get around in his little walker. He and Sadie spent some quality time together under the kitchen table.

The Louisiana Children's Museum

Yesterday we took the boys to the Children's Museum in New Orleans. It was a rainy day, so we figured the aquarium and insectarium would be packed so we went with the museum instead. And it was an excellent choice! We practically had the place to ourselves and the boys loved it! It's kind of similar to Imagination Station, but it's not quite so science oriented, more learning through play oriented. Most of their exhibits were unique to New Orleans, so it was pretty cool.

Here the boys are playing with a motion screen. Nick is in the lower right corner, sitting in the stroller.

Ben checking out the kaleidoscope

Playing in the 'Safety' area with Aunt Sarah

Making a giant bubble around themselves

An alligator pull (the angle of the gators was different, so you learned which one was easier to pull)

A shadow wall

Ben driving the cargo ship

The museum had a whole area dedicated to the Mississippi River, including a river boat, barge and push boat, cargo ship and cruise ship. It was pretty cool!

There was a working crane to move 'freight' from the cargo ship to the semi truck

There was a baby play area that was perfect for Nick.

And perfect for Aunt Sarah to take a little rest...

Nick working hard in the barge

There was even a street car!

A Green Christmas

Things you can do on Christmas day in New Orleans that you cannot do in Toledo on Christmas:
Ride Power wheels without a coat on
Release a butterfly into the wild

Opening Presents is Exhausting

Merry Christmas!

As expected, Christmas day started at 6:15. But, it was Nick that woke up first. Ben slept in until about 6:30. Then the fun began! I have a video of Ben coming down the steps, but I need to resize it before I can upload it.

Santa brought a big haul to New Orleans

Ben got a Thomas chair thing. When Ben woke up, he found the old school phone upstairs. He used it to call Santa before we went downstairs and the phone had to come with us.

Suuupppeerrr Baby!

The awesome new easel complete with all sorts of coloring materials

A cool new wooden train

Nick's new wooden dump truck

Daddy's Kindle Fire (which he hasn't put down much since opening - and I was afraid he wouldn't like it and want to return it)

This is a SWEET bike helmet - it looks like a hat. You can get fedoras and sun hats and all sorts of cool covers. It's totally awesome