Highland Mardi Gras Parade 2011

March 6, 2011

Aidan and Andrew's first Mardi Gras Parade Ever!


Grammy, Nanny, Daddy and I decided to load up the car and take y'all to your first ever Mardi Gras Parade!  The Krewe of Highland parade rolls @ 2pm on the Sunday of Mardi Gras and is supposed to be very family oriented so I thought it would be just perfect!  We didn't know exactly where to go or park but we just decided to wing it!  Daddy asked a police officer at the Circle K for more info and then we found  a place to park, loaded up the sit n stand stroller and our backs and made our way!  We found a great little spot in front of a church and set up camp!  Here's the day in pictures:

Grammy wanted to buy her grandboys a prize!

Shopping!  Grammy liked this hat, but oh no, that's not what y'all chose . . .

Daddy blowing bubbles for Andrew while waiting on the parade . . .

He loved it!

Aidan made a tent out of blankets on the stroller- I think to eat his skittles without his brother begging for some . . .

Grammy and Nanny waiting on the parade . . .

Andrew snacking . . .

Aidan still snacking . . .

And there it is in all it's glory- your prize!  The TRUMPET!  That was your prize you chose for Grammy to buy for you!  Thankfully the people around us weren't too concerned or annoyed with all of the loud trumpeting . . .

Andrew still eating!

Watching the parade start with Grammy, with Cheeto in hand!

Aidan on Ryan's shoulders . . .I think you were a little nervous- Look at that grip on your daddy's neck!

Andrew just taking it all in

Grammy, Daddy, Aidan and Andrew

All smiles!  Mardi Gras is fun!

Grammy showed us all how it's done and probably caught the most out of all of us!  

Nanny manning the chairs and bags!

Beads!  Andrew loved the beads!  He would put them on then take them off and put them back on again! He would even dance and swing the beads to the music!

Aidan would catch a piece of candy and then go sit down and eat it immediately!

Momma's turn!

Mommy, Daddy and Andrew

2nd half= Aidan standing on sit n stand with Grammy helping!  He loved this part!

Mother and Daughter . . .

Did I mention Grammy was an expert at this?

Overall, a very successful first Mardi Gras parade.  Mommy didn't even bust out the hand sanitizer too many times!  We survived and had fun!  Perfect intro into Mardi Gras!

Visit from Grammy and Nanny

The weekend before Mardi Gras, Grammy and Nanny came up to visit!  What a special treat!  It had been so long since Nanny was in Shreveport!  When they arrived on Saturday, they said their hellos and then the three women went to Lewis' for lunch then ran errands together and went shopping!  I really enjoyed spending girl time with my sister and mother!

When we got back, there was plenty of fun time for reading our Eric Carle books, playing in the playroom and building Aidan's Mardi Gras Float!

Iphone pic of Nanny & Aidan!

The beginnings of Bronco . . .

Grammy being a HUGE help cutting up pieces of paper to pomp Bronco

Daddy was very into making this float super cool for his favorite K4 student!

On Sunday, we went to the Highland Mardi Gras Parade (pics to follow on next post) then later that night, we had a great dinner @ Shogun!  Family time is so good for the soul!!

Tornado Warning!

On February 24, 2011, I left work in the wind and rain to pick y'all up from school as usual.  When I got to after school care and picked up Aidan it was really pouring down.  After getting him in the car as dry as possible- He asked me, "Mom, what's the safest place in the house when there is a tornado?" I said, " the bathtub".  He said, "Man, how did you know that?  You are so smart!"  LOL- I'm glad I can be so knowledgeable in your sweet little eyes, Aidan!  I love you!

When we got home, you came out dressed like this:

You said it was your tornado outfit!  What a creative little boy!

Valentine's from my boys . . .

Here's some of the special Valentines y'all made at school and home for us!  I love them!

Andrew's foot prints . . .love <3

Aidan's 5 yr old handprint . . .

Little Andrew flowerpot . . .

These little sweethearts were on your classroom door. . .I laugh at your refusal to smile in any picture . . .

Aidan's sweet card he made for me

He made one for Andrew too!  I especially love the thoughtful touch of Mickey Mouse affectionately called "mouse" by Andrew!

Aidan's sweet Valentine from school

So much love!  So thankful!

Valentine's Dinner 2011

Menu: Homemade Heart Shaped pizzas

Andrew's turn

Time for the pizza sauce!

Aidan was very meticulous, needed it to look like a  heart so he's removing the extras!

see?

Little bit of pepperoni help . . .

cheese

more cheese . . .can't ever have too much!

The finished product with special strawberry milk for Valentine's Day!

So- it's been way overdue . . .but here's our fun family Valentine's Dinner that we all prepared together!

I am certainly not a huge fan of the highly commercialized Valentine's Day but I love the opportunity for our family to show love to one another!  I love having my boys work on projects with me!  I LOVE the chance to play together!  I love you little boys!  Love, Mommy