Our Crazy Creole Weekend

Maliana ~

This past weekend we all headed to New Orleans so that I could attend a professional conference, and we could all hang out and spend some time together. Lao Lao, Uncles Flint and Forge, and Papaw Rick came down for a bit, and you finally got to meet your Great Uncle Mark, Aunt Cindy, and cousin Ben, who came over all the way from Austin! It was a crazy busy weekend, filled with new experiences and precious time with family. I am still trying to recover from it all (between getting up at 3am for our departing flight last Thursday, then getting home at 11:30pm on Sunday night and having to be at work by 6am on Monday ~ I am pooped!) I think this post will be more of a photo narrative...my brain needs just a bit more time to recuperate. So, here goes ~ hope you enjoy!

pilot Mali, at your service

so happy to finally be off the plane!

You did spectacular on the flights, and all of our exploring that first night, in spite of us all being so exhausted.

you can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose!

strolling through Pirates' Alley

dinner at Mona Lisa's

 

sitting next to your cousin Ben; you're twirling your spaghetti and Ben's looking for more food (your cousin is a GOOD eater!)

after dinner, we walked them back to their hotel room and you helped take Ben's shoes and socks off for bed

The next day was my first day of sessions at the conference, so you and Daddy hit the amazing children's museum in New Orleans. I wish I could have been there because the pictures Daddy took were awesome and looked like you both had a fantastic time!

the skeleton that pedaled as you pedaled

Mali's in a bubble!

Mali's in an eyeball!

optometrist Mali

grocery shopping in a mini kid-run grocery store

putting your items on the belt

thank you! have a nice day!

You are at such a great age for children’s museums!

After the museum, you went to lunch with Daddy, even ordering your own juice, and getting a compliment from the server about your great behavior. And speaking of compliments, with me dressing up for the conference, you have been full of them lately, telling me, “Mommy, I like your dress” or “I like your shoes” ~ you are so sweet!

When I came back to the hotel, we were off to Jackson Square for some more New Orleans fun!

cool tree in Jackson Square park

you loved this little path...kept going around and around and around

still going...

then you had to take me with you

of course, we had to stop for a "silly break"

and you and Daddy had to stop for a "cool break"

sharing a moment with Daddy

wait for me!! here you're running down Pirates' Alley, trying to catch up with Mark, Cindy, and Ben

just outside the bar where you told me, "I'm drinking a beer"

strolling the streets of the French Quarter

you were so excited to take a carriage ride through the quarter, you squealed uncontrollably as soon as we sat down

you LOVED the horses, no fear at all

our first taste of beignets at Cafe Du Monde (by the end, you were shoveling powdered sugar in your mouth by the handful. thank goodness you were wearing a white shirt!)

shoulder ride back to the car...bouncing and dancing with you the whole way

While we didn’t get to see Lao Lao and Co. very much due to scheduling conflicts with everyone…you did get to play “spa” with her one night…

serious concentration

so delicate, holding Lao Lao's toes, one at a time

and voila!!

Our last evening in New Orleans we spent exploring Riverwalk, eating dinner by the river at the Crazy Lobster, then sitting on the ground at La Plaza Espana, listening to a fun band, watching the sunset and the riverboats go by while talking, relaxing, and playing with Mark, Cindy, and Ben…basically just enjoying family.

typical scene in New Orleans this weekend...you and Ben, RUNNING!

karate?

 And as you can see from the photos below...you are getting really comfortable with your Great Uncle Mark and Aunt Cindy. It warms my heart to see you taking so well to them...

side-swiping Uncle Mark with some love

a ninjitsu (of course we told you it was karate) lesson from Aunt Cindy...after that, you were her best bud

taking it all in...while getting a hug from my favorite person in the world

too cool for school

dancing to a funky Louisiana band

thanks to all the nice bartenders in NOLA, you now LOVE maraschino cherries

I think Ben is mixing you both drinks

the whole gang...what a great night together

The final morning, we all had breakfast together in the French Quarter. As we meandered through the Vieux Carre heading back to the car, you decided to lift your shirt up (not even sure what sparked it), but I was dismayed not to have any beads for you. Ha ha.

Once at the airport, you surprised Daddy and I (as well as the TSA agents) by taking off your shoes and (all on your own) patiently standing in front of the metal detector, with your hands neatly folded behind your back, waiting for the agent to wave you to come through. I wish I could have gotten a picture of this, it was hysterical, and brightened everyone’s afternoon, (including the hard-nosed TSA).

Then, you made friends with a bunch of hung over college girls during a layover…

It was a long trip home, with an even longer layover in Atlanta. The slap-happiness had finally found you as I tried to get you changed into your jammies and your teeth brushed in the bathroom. You drew an audience as you giggled and wiggled, sticking your naked butt up in the air (right in front of everyone) so I could put your diaper on, and just generally being very silly.

You hung in there, not napping on that last leg like I was sure you were going to…and all weekend you have been a trooper, keeping up with all of our excursions with such a great attitude. You are the epitome of a “rock star”. After the last flight, you insisted on shaking the pilot’s hand after we touched down in Columbus, and said “Thank you for airplane”. It was really cute.

So overall, this weekend really had me reflecting on family. Some family we see all the time, and other family we only see now and then. Uncle Mark (and Uncle Matt, who you still have to meet!) has been like the older brother(s) I never had, and Aunt Cindy is more than I could have ever hoped for, for Mark. Among other things, this weekend has helped me strengthen my resolve to see this part of our family more…regardless of the distance from Columbus to Austin. I really want you to grow up knowing them. My hope for the future is to see a replay of the fond memories I have of visiting Mark and Matt at their farm in Ohio…except this time it will be you and Ben, exploring the outdoors of Austin, TX. No matter the distance or time spent apart...family is family...and there's nothing that can change that.

Love,
Mama