Our Day Off

Abeona's power outage meant that we, or at least me, were going to be doing some rescheduling today. My lit review progress fell yet-another day behind (but this is OKAY, I assure myself) and Paul joined in when he could to enjoy the beautiful day. A winter storm meant that the DC area was moving slowly, so he was able to have a bit more of a relaxed workday.
Will and I planted seeds (basil, chives, parsley, zinnia, verbena) to germinate in little greenhouses. He is watching seeds grow ("beanstalks!") at school so I thought we'd do a similar side project at home. We planted the extra seeds in the backyard -- hopefully, they'll do okay there as well!
Paul rocked our Babycakes to sleep. She is struggling with tooth number #2, which has been trying to break through for the past 3 days.
After our gardening, Will and I found an interesting bug to observe. Little man needed his 'noculars to get in close.
The weather was in the low 80s, but with low humidity (unheard of in these parts!) and the day was exquisite. It felt very funny to bring those little greenhouses inside tonight to prepare for our chilly night (possible frost?) and cold tomorrow (the high may not reach 50!)

Thanks, Nana!

We had a great visit with Nana Nancy. Before she left, we tried to take photos on the porch swing to compare to older porch-swing-with-kids photos... have I mentioned that group photography is a challenge?
See the full set (with all the kids' collective crazies) on the updated Shutterfly page.

We're not in Kansas

Tornadoes, three in current estimates, roared through New Orleans last night. We slept through the storm (or at least I did) but neighbors tell us the wind and rain were fierce. The kind of night where the kids climb into Mom and Dad's bed to feel safe. We are fine. Huge portions of the city are without power -- including the Carrollton area, which was heavily hit by tornadoes. Abeona House is in Carrollton on the Riverbend. Although tornadoes touched down all around it, the school is fine. But they took out the area power grid, the school is closed, and we have no idea when power will be restored and kids will be back in school.

It's sort of a snow day?

And a tragic one. Family and neighbors pulled a body of an 86-year old woman from the destroyed remains of her FEMA trailer. Over a year and a half later and an 86-year old woman is still living in a FEMA trailer.

Throw me somethin' Mister!

Happy Mardi Gras! Nana Nancy joined us for our first Mardi Gras parades of the year: Pontchartrain and Shangri-la. Paul and Will walked over to the barber shop Saturday morning to get cleaned up -- and stopped at Clement Hardware on their way home to pick up a viewing ladder (ladder with special box for kids to sit above the crowds for the parades). The ladders have wheels so that they can be rolled like wheelbarrows; Will "rode" the ladder for their walk home.


We got there a little earlier and set up in one of our favorite spots... towards the start of the parade on Napoleon where the crowds are more spread out. Families were snacking out of coolers, kids playing football and riding scooters in the street, folks buying cotton candy and peanuts, lots of people in costume, hats, and funky accessories. Complete fun!


The "pre-parade" included the local Goldwings group, a Vespa club, a mini-VW association and a riding club. I fell in love with a baby blue Vespa -- the rider wore a matching outfit and had throws that coordinated with her ensemble.

The official parades were the standard variety, although with many more families (including children) than the more well-known Krewes that roll right around MG.

Tons of marching bands and dancing groups. We did wish that more of the music was of the local variety -- there are many more of those in the big parades (from our experience).





Will caught a sword from Shangri-La... and much to may dismay... he LOVES it. From the moment he caught it, it has been the center of his world. We have pretty strict rules about not pointing it at anyone (or he looses it for the rest of the day) which has kept things in check, but I still hate that he loves it. He couldn't wait to show it to Kate once he opened it.
Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

Seriously? Seriously.

A jump in visits lead to me check out The Daily Kos, where someone posted a link to my blog (see the comments section). There are many gifted NOLA bloggers who write eloquently of our rebuilding. I often start to write about them myself, only to save the draft and never get back to it. Then I think that in the interest of not boring the couple of readers who follow this blog (e.g.: relatives who check to see pictures of my kids) I should just keep writing on the details of our family life instead and let the pros at it. The link from the 'Kos made me feel like I should revisit some serious blogging, versus adding myself in with the multitudes of Mommy-bloggers trying to be as cool as dooce.

Newsflash!

In the middle of our kitchen floor, Kate stood, slowly shifted her weight to the left, lifted the right, swung it in front, and placed it down. She waited to steady herself, stood another moment, then sat back down. A step. A full step. Her first.

Kate turned 9 months old TODAY. AND took her FIRST STEP.

Another, related, milestone: I have instantly sprouted my first gray hair.

KREWE of ABEONA

The First Ever
KREWE OF ABEONA PARADE
ROLLS
Friday, FEBRUARY 16 at 10AM!!

Our Reigning King and Queen (chosen by Nana, who picked the names out of a hat) will lead our parade and greet onlookers to the Krewe of Abeona parade. All children (infants, too!) will participate.

OUR ROUTE:
Led by a brass band, our wagon-float parade will roll down Oak Street, across Carrollton, pass St. Andrew's Episcopal to the Carrollton United Methodist Church and back down Oak to Abeona House.

OUR SIGNATURE THROWS:
- The coveted Golden Nunu will be thrown to a select few parade goers
- Hand-threaded beads
- Seed packets with our logo ("Abeona House: Watch our seeds grow")

WE NEED:
- Decorated wagons/strollers.
- Food for the Mardi Gras Ball that follows
- Friends and family members along the parade route to support our event

FORWARD WIDELY!
Join us in our first ever parade!
HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

Abeona and the mini-parade

After picking Nana Nancy (Paul's Mom) up from the airport on Wednesday, we headed over to Abeona to help with a special activity: bringing the kids to the Good Shepherd Senior Center to join in on their yearly mini-parade and Jazz event put on by the Krewe of Thoth.
Thoth (think "toe" with a "th" on the end, like saying "most" with a lisp) rolls through our neighborhood and on the Sunday before Mardi Gras and stops to visit the local Senior Centers and Children's hospital along the way. Before MG, they visit these locales to crown the King and Queen who will reign over the Carnival festivities.
So, the kids (just 2s and 3s... Nancy and I were the only volunteers on hand to help out so the toddlers stayed at the house with the babies) piled into wagons or strollers and the rest grabbed hold of loop in the walking rope. We headed down Oak Street to Carrollton over to Good Shepherd... about a 6 or 7 block walk.
The kids stopped briefly to listen to Charlie at the piano at Oak Street Cafe.
And said "hi" to Miss Norma, who owns the "Queen of the Ball" Snowball shop.

But finally, we got to the Center. We assembled together... kids to seniors and all in between... to wait for Thoth to show. An activities director got everyone singing and dancing -- first songs that everyone knew (This Little Light of Mine, If You're Happy and You Know It). Then they passed out song sheets with Mardi Gras themed lyrics based on Christmas carol melodies. Several of our kids got into the beat!
Abeona teachers brought corsages which the boys handed out to different women in the crowd, giving them hugs and sometimes kisses in the process.
No Anne Geddes picture could top how cute the kids were as they shyly handed out those flowers.
Everyone loved it -- kids and seniors!
Thoth arrived with a Brass Band parading in...! Everyone sang Our Song (When the Saints Go Marching In) -- even the kids knew when to cue in with the appropriate "Who Dat!"
While the music played, members of Thoth rolled through and handed out beads, doubloons, stuffed toys, and medallions.
The kids went in and out of being in complete shock over all the cool free stuff and throwing their hands up for the next round of beads.
Will, although he was in a bit of shock during the procession, has done nothing but talk about it since.
Everyone got thoroughly canvased with beads.
Finally, the procession receded and the King of Thoth stepped forward to announce this year's King and Queen of the Good Shepherd. Last year's court was recognized with applause.
Then this year's court was announced and given the floor to promenade to their special thrones to watch the rest of the event.
The King and Queen were toasted by Thoth to bless their reign. Then more music, another procession of Thoth members passing beads and small throws, even more music (and very special solo performance of "Bill Bailey Don't You Come Back Home" -- a twist on an old standard -- from one of the Center residents) and Thoth paraded out.
We had a fabulous time sharing this special event! For two Abeona teachers, it was their first ever Mardi Gras experience. It made me so happy to hear Emmy explain that THAT was what Mardi Gras was all about. Absolutely. Happy Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras Rock
Mardi Gras swing and Mardi Gras ring.
Goin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
now that Mardi Gras has begun!
Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras Rock
Mardi Gras chime in Mardi Gras time.
Dancin' and prancin' in old Jackson Square
In the festive air!
What a bright time, it's the right time
to rock the night away!
Mardi Gras time is a swell time
to go paradin' every single day.
Get along people, pick up your feet,
Dancin' around the clock!
Mix and mingle in a swingin' beat,
That's the Mardi Gras,
That's the Mardi Gras,
That's the Mardi Gras Rock!

Just like coming out of a salon

Busy time tonight! Freecycling, putting on new linens (mini splurge on clearance Overstock duvet and PB duvet cover/quilt from ebay), prepping pot roast, cleaning house, planning for Mardi Gras activities, gathering stuff for meetings, outreach phone calls, and more. Paul's Mom arrives tomorrow... a day earlier than put on our family calendar. Not that it's a big deal, we have a full open door policy. It is just a very busy week.

We've got so many balls in the air that we decided to let Kate feed herself tonight. Kate's first table food! It's potatoes from our Mexicali Stew (a wonderful recipe with beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and corn and seasoned with cocoa and chili). However, her bananas, plums, and rice made the biggest mess. I particularly liked how she used her food as a hair styling agent. Genius.

Why delaying potty training is a good idea

"Daddy, I put my finger in my hole and there was poop up there."

Kate at 8 months.

"I don't remember Will eating this much at 8 months."

"He didn't. He also hadn't determined that world domination was his life's course."

"Good point."

Our Night with a Legend

Paul and I enjoyed a wonderful night out, just the two of us, where we actually did something memorable! We enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime event: seeing the incredible BB King live for New Orleans House of Blue's 13th Anniversary party. Paul had seen BB once (by generous invitation of our friends Millard and Violet, who had an extra ticket) in Detroit's beautiful Fox Theatre. Paul has raved about that night ever since and swore that if given the opportunity, we had to see him again. I noticed the performance about a month ago, called my parents who agreed to come to town for babysitting, and... Happy early Valentine's Day, Paul!

We left early to have dinner at House of Blues before the performance -- do this and you get special entrance before general admission into the standing room only hall. Dinner was excellent, even by New Orleans standards, which is seriously saying something. We ordered directly from the recommendations of the staff, splitting each dish, and could not have been more impressed... shrimp in a BBQ beer sauce, smothered chicken served with wet naps, and bread pudding. Even with our attempts to draw out dinner as long as possible, we still nabbed a decent spot in the "early entrance" line... freezing for an hour in the 40-degree weather. (Yes, we would have considered this a heat wave in Ann Arbor.) We made it a point to get the scoop on the hall and had a plan -- get directly upstairs to the balcony and nab a rail spot to look down on the performance rather than look up from the standing room floor. (Extra plus of upstairs: the a second bar -- open, for this show -- directly behind.) We did all of this and even with the special roped off VIP seating in the front row a step below us, felt like we were going to have a decent vantage.

UNTIL THEY SHOWED UP.

Four Royal Assholes From Chicago came with the three dancers they'd picked up at one of the clubs. Flashing pimp-wads thicker than their necks, they rolled out 100s to buy assorted memorabilia and dozens upon dozens of drinks. And EVERY TIME THEY STOOD UP, MOVED, OR LEANED -- WHICH WAS THE WHOLE SHOW -- THEY BLOCKED OR OBSTRUCTED OUR VIEW. AND THEY SHOUTED AT EACH OTHER THE WHOLE DAMN TIME. Their obnoxiousness put a seriously dense cloud over the wonderful time we were trying to have. Although my mother scolded me about it later and I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, I stuck my chewing gum onto the jacket of the most obnoxious guy before we left. What I really wanted to do was spill a drink on them, but I was concerned about the trouble it might cause. (Paul sensed that I might do something and excused me early on in the night for any trouble I might get us into. I told him if he needed to act like he didn't know me for his own protection that this would be okay.)

Still, despite the obstructions and interruptions, the performance was amazing. BB was full of energy... danced, spoke back and forth with Lucille, played off his wonderful band, and gave an enthusiastic show. The band primarily provided back-up (Paul had said that in Detroit, the band was much more of the "show") -- this was almost all just BB himself. He played much of what one would expect (Rock Me Baby, Just Like a Woman, Been Downhearted, The Thrill is Gone) with other little things thrown in (I especially liked his take on "Summertime"). We hope to catch him again at Mobile's Saenger Theatre in June.

Water Break

Thank goodness for breaks. Paul gave us his morning today after over a month of 7-day a week 10-12 hour days. We went to the Aquarium.
Will saw his third IMAX movie (all movies he's seen have been IMAX) -- this one was in 3-D. We were a little concerned that the film would have gratuitous shots of sharks in a feeding frenzy... it didn't. If things got a little too close for Will, we lifted up his glasses and blurred the effect. He did great and enjoyed it -- he told us afterwards that the sharks weren't scary but "the music was scary!"
Kate woke up about 30 minutes into the 50 minute movie. I picked her up to find she was, as friend and uber-babysitter Michelle would say, primiada. So we missed a portion of the movie while I changed Kate's diaper outside.
Will fell asleep on the way home and remained out cold as we carried him in and laid him down on his bed for nap. Unfortunately, we forgot to put on a pull-up... and the little guy had a naptime accident. So much for my attempts at getting all fresh clean linens on the bed that morning in preparation for my parents arrival later in the day!

Bread Sticks

Kate has the pincher grasp down.
We figured it was happening based on observation, but knew for sure she had it when we quickly rushed to baby-hemlich a piece of food (which had rolled under the pocket door out of sight) from her throat. Maybe it was a sign she wanted some food to chew?

Then later the same day, she ripped part of a sandwich from my hand and stuffed it into her mouth. Point taken, Kate.So at some point in the past few days (what a blur of a week) I gave Kate a piece of Zwieback toast to gnaw on in her high chair. (Thank goodness she is finally big enough to really sit in her high chair... the Bumbo, wonderful little plastic mold that it is, has become completely unhelpful in feeding. As a gymnastic tool, it's wonderful though!)Will asked for a piece of toast, too. I gave one to him. And I spread cream cheese on one and ate it. Then Paul came in:
"Where did you find this?"
"We had it leftover from someone."
"Did you check the expiration?"
"Of course. It expires at the end of the month; we've got some time."
"Holly. It expired the end of February... LAST YEAR."
Apparently I didn't drink enough coffee that day. The bottom line was that everything was sealed, unopened, and tasted fine. No one was sick. Will asked for seconds. And Kate enjoyed her first bread!