TWO

Theodore screams and flails his entire body whenever we pass the lawn mowers outside of Lowes. This photo captures the culmination of his heart's deepest desire.

2017 week two

When we went to visit great grandma this week, she was in her exercise class, so we joined in. The ladies got a real kick out of Vera pumping her 1-pound weight.

Matt went to New Orleans for the weekend for a business trip. After lunch on Friday I thought, "I don't have any plans this weekend. I've never been to New Orleans! Let's go!" 8 hours later we were there. 

On Saturday we walked all around the French Quarter, but first we stopped in Lafayette Square to get some wiggles out. 

Then we waited in an hour long line to get beignets at Cafe du Monde. V was so excited to eat the special Tiana donuts. 

Powdered sugar everywhere was actually a little bit magical. They were worth the wait, but maybe just because they were iconic and it was New Orleans! 

Then we wandered through St Louis cathedral. 

It was gorgeous. 

Saturday is a busy day in the French Quarter. We walked all around the quarter singing "Down in New Orleans" from Princess and the Frog.

"Mama, is this a real magic shop for real witches?" One of the "witches" in the store was really nice to us, the other one made it clear that we were in her way. 

Leg stretching in Jackson Square.

After a long day of walking and a good nap, we met with Matt and his dad on Bourbon street for dinner. We fit right in with Theodore missing his shoes. That little Cinderella kept kicking them off all over the city, so I confiscated them.

Dinner on Bourbon street.

Theodore almost threw a knife off the balcony. Vera did drop a toy car. Thankfully it didn't hit anyone.

Sunday morning carriage ride.

She was much more excited about it than she looks. She just thinks it's funny to make faces like this for photos. 

Sunday brass band brunch on a balcony. The whole quarter was just dreamy on Sunday morning.

Early lunch at The Gumbo shop. We got "The Best Gumbo in Town", alligator sausages, and a blacked chicken po' boy. Everything was perfect. I was tempted to order a crawfish remoulade to go, but decided I probably actually couldn't eat it. :)

Matt snuck us into the Halloween and Party Expo after lunch.

It is a strictly 18 and over show, and one step inside showed why. Many a scantly clad woman... and very scary masks and props.

After nap we got a chocolate perfect. King Cake slice in a tiny bakery. 

Then we got a muffuletta sandwich from Central Grocery and ate it under the statue of Joan of Arc. Some things are iconic for a reason. That sandwich was deserving of its reputation. I'm so sad that we immediately dropped half of it on the ground. It was one of those food experiences where you want to grab someone and gush about it and maybe tear up a bit... for a sandwich. New Orleans I loved your food. 

Channing Tatum's "bordello"-style restaurant Saints and Sinners. (Notice the classy pole in the background.) I finished a day of fantastic food with absolutely lovely shrimp and grits. It was also on Bourbon street, and upon exiting, Vera yells at me, "Mama I have to ask you something! Why is that woman naked?" I didn't see her, but apparently a topless woman walked past us on the street. Haha. 

Look at these beauties.

Alligator oven mitts. :)

We walked through the French Market flea market and Vera got a little mardi gras mask. She immediately ripped the whiskers off but she loved it anyway.

Giant Bubble Fairy street performer. Vera got to give her a dollar. She was so excited. 

On our way out of the city we stopped at a couple bakeries looking for King Cakes but they only sold them in giant rings. I just wanted a slice! But then we stopped at the loveliest little store called "The French Library." The women were so kind and welcoming (they also were actually French and they patiently and kindly endured my attempts to speak french. ) We got a copy of Goodnight Moon in French and left the city floating on a high note driving through the gorgeous Garden District.

New Orleans was absolutely worth the 8 hour drive both ways. Hopefully we'll be back. 

Uncle Sam and Larissa brought Vera a bar of soap from Magnolia Market when they came to babysit so I could get groceries last night. Vera slept with it clutched in her hand. In the morning their room smelled much better than usual. 

Quotes:

V- "I would like to fly to the sun and catch it!"
Me- "It would burn you up!"
V- "But I'll just catch it in a plastic bag and zip it up."

V- "I gave you all of these presents when I got married."
Me- "Who did you get married to?"
V- "I can't remember. Maybe it was Papa? Maybe it was Ryker?"

"Look at my sweet little burrito. I'm going to name him gassy." That's a good name.

Walking around the city Vera kept rattling off different numbers and letters.
Me- "What are you saying?"
V- "I'M DOING MATH!"
Me- "Sorry for interrupting."