Feeding the Ducks

Before heading to the airport on Friday, we stopped at City Park to feed the ducks. Ben enjoyed it, but didn't like it when the ducks got too close (like a foot away, but can you blame him?).

Jazz Fest

Last Thursday the boys stayed at home with Grandma while Grandpa, Aunt Sarah and I went to Jazz Fest. It was a perfect day - 75 degrees, 40% humidity, sunny with a good breeze and moderate crowds.

Mardi Gras Indians in full costume

Our set up at the Gentilly stage

The New Orleans Bingo Show

A WWII fighter buzzed the show. The air show was in town this past weekend

Amanda Shaw - very good fiddle player!

Cyndi Lauper

The crowd for Cyndi Lauper

The Zoo

Last Wednesday we took a trip to the zoo in New Orleans. We saw some new animals, like a peacock and sea lions and flamingos. And of course there were more alligators.

Alligators, Alligators!!

Today we went out to Jean Lafitte park to see the alligators. And the alligators did not dissappoint. We got to see several in the water and on logs sunning themselve. No big ones, mostly babies and some 2-4 year olds. Ben enjoyed seeing the alligators in the wild. It was funny when he would actually spot them he would yell out "I found it! I found it!".

After the park we went across the intercostal to a swamp tour place that has some alligators in their building, including two albinos. Well according to Ben it is all well and good to see alligators in the wild, but he was having none of the captive ones! He clutched onto Grandma and yelled ' I don't like it! I don't like it' when we showed him the gators inside the pen. I thought it was funny.

We did it!

Sunday morning I took on the great challenge of flying by myself with both boys. I spent several weeks metally preparing, running through various situations and creating an action plan on how to tackle the daunting task. And I am happy to report that with the help of children's Benadryl and the awesome Baby Jogger stroller, I was victorious! Everything went perfectly. We took about 15-20 minutes to get through security, but I just took my time and Ben was very good and stayed by my side when he had to be out of the stroller. Ben enjoyed watching the planes and was starting to go into comotose mode by the time we had to give Nick one of his breathing treatments before getting on the plane. We had an entire row of seats to ourselves which was awesome. Once on the plane, Nick slept the whole time and Ben sat quietly in his seat and even dosed for a bit. We all had some ear pain on the decent due to the pressure changes and all having colds. I was almost crying my ear hurt so bad. Ben took it better than I did. Below are pictures of both kids sleeping on me. Now I can only hope it goes as well on the flight back - we'll see!

Two Months Old!

Two Special New Friends

Nick also received these adorable, cuddly stuffed animals from Aunt Gwen! She knitted them herself!! The penguin and bear are soooo cute!! And Nick likes to look at them when he does tummy time

A Special Quilt

Nick got a special gift this weekend from Great Grandma Yuskales, delivered from Connecticut by Grandpa Stan. Great Grandma made Nick this beautiful quilt! Ben received one when he was born, too. Nick's quilt has all sorts of animals on it that are based on a really cool book that Great Grandma found. It is super cute!!

Special Delivery for Monster

Monster now has special delivery food service, courtesy of Ben.

Sticker Man

Ben loves his Thomas stickers that the Easter Bunny brought. He can't go anywhere without them - even the shower. They all ended up in a giant pile and stuck to each other, but Ben doesn't care. They are his favorite thing right now.

Filler' Up!

Easter Candy

Although he loves chocolate, sometimes playing with your candy is more fun.

Stylish

The Easter Bunny brought Nick his very own pair of sunglasses (what a smart bunny). Nick wasn't so thrilled at first, but he warmed up to them later in the day. He's going to need them next week in New Orleans