NOLA Trip!!!

Chilling on the trolley.  And no I couldn't resist signing the Zataran's song about 52 times (this was post-several adult beverages).

Paul is channeling his inner Taylor Swift here. 

I'm just keeping it real on the screets of Nawlins.  When in Rome is what I always say.  Sitting on a screet corner enjoying a tasty beverage.  That's the only way to really be one with the city you are visiting.

Nice free back pack Paul.  Very Sporty.  If you turn it around you can see the awesome Kone logo.

Watching some live Jazz music at an outdoor bar.  Very New Orleans-esque if I do say so myself.

Paul and I took our first ever kid-free trip this Memorial Day weekend.  Thanks to Meema for watching the boys!!!  We went to New Orleans, it was my first time there, and about Paul's 12th!  I didn't really know what to expect.  But it isn't as sleepy of a southern town as I thought it would be. It's actually a pretty big place, and anything but sleepy.  Let's just say we had a blast and I gained about 12 lbs.  We ate until we couldn't eat anymore and we couldn't see our toes.  From charbroiled and raw oysters, to fried lobster tail and scalibut (hallibut pressed into scallops), we most certainly dined liked royalty.  The city had some really beautiful architecture and southern homes.  Our hotel was pretty sweet too.  But let's just say I won't miss the smell.  The smell of urine, stale beer and garbage that penetrates almost every square inch of the french quarter.  The city planning there is a bit terrible. There are no back alleys, so every store front has cans and cans of garbage that just bake out in that hot sun. And there are no public restrooms any where unless you buy something at a store, hence the homeless and drunk people peeing everywhere. I also won't miss the constant fear of being thrown up on after 8pm every night.  I will however miss being able to drink adult beverages on the street, that was pretty awesome. And I like to be able to run in Walgreens for some deoderant and also pick up a bottle of rum if I want. Pretty much every store there sells liquor.  Paul won't miss being propositioned by prostitutes and drug dealers, but that's a whole other story probably not appropriate for my family blog!!!!  I'm so rated G, no?  It's an amazing place to visit at least once in your life, if you haven't been go!  But there is no way I could ever live there.  Unless I become a homeless alcoholic, then I'm totally living there.  Again, you can't beat being able to drink on the streets.  Awesome!!!

Soccer Sidelines

I almost forgot to post these pictures of Drew from the sidelines of Evan's soccer game last week.  He's wearing his usual expression, the catching flies, mouth open, confused look that he wears so well!  I found out later it was my week to bring snacks for the team.  I have taken slackerness to a whole new level these days! I brought snacks for my own kids?  Drew was gnawing on some french toast from that morning's breakfast? I could have diced it up into 10 tiny pieces...???  Next time I will be ON IT!!!! 

Animal Kingdom

On Tuesday I took both boys to Disney's Animal Kingdom with our friends the Neville's!  I was nervous to go on my own, as Evan can be a tad...let's say..."difficult" at times.  But I think it went very smoothly.  As long as Evan get's his ice cream sandwich, he's fairly happy.  And Drew was easy going as always.  I love the safari ride, and this time it was especially cool because the lion was out and was roaring like you wouldn't believe.   We probably won't be venturing out to Disney again until the winter because 100 degree weather and long lines are pretty much my least favorite thing EVER!!! 

Cars Obsessed

Never in a million years would I think I would ever be dragging my sleepy butt out of bed early on a Sunday morning to wait in line in the heat at Disney too see some painted Cars modeled after a cartoon.  BUT when you have two little Cars-Obsessed boys....you will do just about anything to make them smile!  And so we did....We got to meet Mater, Lightening McQueen, and Finley (who will be making his debut in Cars II this summer).  Yipee!

Sprinkle for Jennifer

Last Night I attended a Sprinkle for my friend Jennifer who is welcoming her second baby, a boy, to her family in July.  Of course a few martini's later, and it seemed like a good idea to crash my girlfriends date at the restaurant next door....so crashed we did!  I LOVE my girl's night outs!!!!!!

SLACKER Soccer Mama

OK...First of all... A BIG thanks to my friend....well, you know who you are....for making me feel like a big slacker for never attending a single one of Evan's soccer games this season.  I was blaming it on Drew's morning nap... But really?  Soccer for 3 year olds?  They don't keep score? There is no goalie?  They huddle up and say "HUGS AND KISSES" and sing ring around the Rosie to get pumped before a game.  That's a person like Me's worst nightmare! I have a very hard time sitting still, let alone sitting there for an hour watching Evan almost fall asleep on the field!  But I did it!!!!  YOU HAPPY??!!  I'm just kidding. I wouldn't miss seeing Evan play his first sport for anything, other then a really important toddler nap!  I am really just happy that Evan stays out on the field without crying!  He used to be so shy.  He's a trooper, I just wish he would put some of that ENERGY he shows me every other minute of the day and kick the ball once in a while.  He almost looks sedated out there, No?  And how cute is his Buddy, B?  I can't get enough of the two of them!!!!  So I am officially a soccer Mom now.  And loving every minute of it!!!