Taste of Home

I typically do not enjoy Mardi Gras parades. I don't like crowds, especially when the majority of the people in the crowds are smoking and drinking. I don't like the traffic during Mardi Gras. I don't like being attacked by Mardi Gras Indians! And I have never understood the excitement of catching plastic beaded necklaces, most of which stink because they were scooped up off the nasty streets the year before to be reused. However, I think my opinion of parades might have been different had Shelby been older when we lived in New Orleans.

After an early morning of touring houses with the realtor, Jeremy, Shelby, and I came home and took some much needed naps. After we got up and took dinner over to a member in the Ward, we made a last minute decision to head down to THE (and I say "THE" because there is only one parade here) Mardi Gras parade downtown. Had we been in New Orleans, there is no way we could have made such a last minute decision. You have to have a plan- leave early, find parking, stake out a spot (and try to hold it), etc. But, we made it downtown, found a parking lot right on the parade route, and had enough time to grab a quick sandwich at Whichwich.

Then it began. If you want beads at a parade, bring a child. We were amazed at the amount of times people on the floats would specifically point to Shelby and throw her beads. Not only that, but anytime someone walked by, they had to stop and give her beads- not just people in the parade, but people watching the parade as well. At one point, two firemen stopped the firetruck they were driving in the parade and threw some beads to Shelby. She thanked them by blowing them kisses, and I guess they thought it was cute, because they then got their cameras out and took her picture.

We were skeptical about how authentic the parade would be. The website boasted "it would feel just like you were in New Orleans". Well, the "floats" were not real Mardi Gras floats, and the parade was a little less than an hour long. So I would say it didn't live up to New Orleans standards. However, we had a great time nonetheless. It was really fun watching Shelby get excited and wave to everyone. I have a new outlook on Mardi Gras parades, and it gave us a little taste of home.





This was Grambling's Band:

The Wheels On The Bus

Shelby loves this Care Bear that sings. She didn't always. When she was younger, I think it kind of freaked her out. But now that she is older, she loves "boose" (bears), especially this one. I especially love when Love A Lot sings "The Wheels on the Bus" because I think Shelby looks so darn cute doing the motions. (Ignore that her hair is a hot mess. Yes, this was one of those days where neither Shelby NOR I took baths until Jeremy got home from work.)

BE MINE

Cookies for Daddy



Shelby's presents (AKA stuff to keep her occupied while Mommy and Daddy go on a date)

As I Lay Me Down To Sleep...

Here's how Shelby's prayer went tonight:

Me: Dear
Shelby: Dear
Me: Heavenly
Shelby: Heavenly
Me: Father
Shelby: Father...

...

Me: in
Shelby: in
Me: the
Shelby: the
Me: name
Shelby: name
Me: of
Shelby: of
Me: Jesus
Shelby: Jesus
Me: Christ
Shelby: MICKEY MOUSE!

Super Feast for a Super Bowl

I know I take forever to post things. It's who I am. As my dad says, "Move-on.com". He cracks me up.

Last Sunday the Majoues came over for the Superbowl. Does anyone really watch that anymore? It was really just an excuse to have friends over and eat good food. And food we had. I don't know what we were thinking making so much food for 4 adults and 2 toddlers. We had turkey roll-ups, cucumber sandwiches, lil' smokies, meatballs, chicken quesadillas, boneless chicken wings, 7 layer dip, guacamole, chips, king cake, and an awesome Super Bowl cake. Yep. Gluttony.





Peyton was a perfect angel and went right to bed as soon as Troy and Lexi laid him in the pack and play. Shelby on the other hand, didn't want to miss out on the party. I know it is my own fault, but that girl needs to learn to go to bed. I have done better the past three days, and she has slept in her own bed (most of the night, anyway).

Today, however, was another shocking setback. We had a friend over for dinner, and Shelby was still asleep when he got here (thanks to our less than desirable Church time). So I went to open the bedroom door so that when she got up she could just walk out, but the stupid creaky door woke her up. So, we had to deal with Not-Long-Enough-Nap-Shelby. Yay! She was so whiny. Then she INSISTED I give her a bottle. Not wanting to draw out the crying any longer with company present, I caved and gave her one with a little water. Not good enough. She wanted a second with milk. So I gave her one with about 1/4 cup of milk in it. The girl hasn't had a bottle in like 8 months! Luckily, she didn't really want them to drink out of. Just hold. I really need to put those in storage so she can't see them at all.