Fun in the Snow

Today was our first significant snow fall and Ben was chomping at the bit to go outside. So I bundled him up and sent him outside while I got myself and Nick put together. He started with his shoveling duties.

It was Nick's first time in the snow. I let him crawl and roll around for about 3 minutes and then made him sit in the stroller, out of the wind.

Yup, he was super excited about the cold and the snow.

These Kids, I'm Tell'n Ya...

I swear, these two are just ridiculous. Last night they were all over each other after dinner (thus why Nick has no clothes on because he gets stripped before leaving the high chair). They are constantly wrestling and playing rough. Note how Nick's head takes a hard hit against the floor, and he just keeps on going. I'm pretty much at the point of just letting them figure it out for themselves. I was hoping Nick could at least get 20 lbs on him before we got into the living room WWE, but he's usually the instigator, so every man for himself!

Standing Tall

Nick has started to stand by himself now. He is getting more and more daring by the hour. And he is definitely into EVERYTHING. He knocked a plant over onto himself yesterday, resulting in dirt in his ear, his mouth, all over the carpet. He has also become a connoisseur of dog food - constantly trying to snag some of Monster's food, while Monster tries to snatch his. He sees Ben playing with something and immediately goes straight for him and tries to play with whatever Ben is doing. Yes, he is quite the handful these days.

Note: Please excuse Ben's lack of pants in this video. He seems to be sans-pants a lot lately. Today his pants 'fell off during my nap,' as he explained it to me.

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