New Orleans Vacay Part Deux...: The Big Easy's Charms.

As I have repeatedly stated, I seriously Heart New Orleans. I have never, visited another location in the United States, where I immediately wanted to return. If I had the means, I would have called a realtor yesterday and purchased a vacation place in the Quarter, site unseen. I love the colors, the energy, the iron railings with cascading flowers. I love the shutters with bright chipped paint, the food, the European history and it's lasting influence.
I find The Big Easy, extremely charming:



(A surprise Jazz performance on Frenchmen Street)















Now... The UnCharming.
(The Commitment to Keepin It Real)

It was Hot. Seriously Hot. I would definitely recommend a trip during the month of May. The phrase "Back Sweat" was repeated frequently and more often, than I have ever discussed any other sweat. There was also Face Sweat, Arm Sweat, Hair Sweat and somebody mentioned a little Butt Sweat.
The Heat, combined with a fairly large Cajun Festival, left a potent order wafting in the thick air. While many of our group loved much of the trip... I am pretty sure the Heat/Stank combo, lost Clark for good.

Otherwise, The Quarter is beautifully intoxicating.
So.... who's in for NOLA 2013????

New Orleans Vacay Part One...: The Colorful Cast.

Typically, you may not expect a group of siblings and their spouses, to vacation in what is easily the Rowdiest place in America. But as previously mentioned, this family is also friends.
(maybe by choice or maybe because no other people find us as hilarious, as we find ourselves.)
Disclaimer: The middle brother, knocked up his wife again... and they decided maybe, being very pregnant on Bourbon Street, did not sound like fun.

Therefore, our Cast included:

The Eldest (Self-declared First in line for the Throne)
Warhol and his girl Sweetbreads Bailey.
(He just keeps spiking her Kool-aide and she just keeps falling for him harder.)

(Above Pic taken pretty late into the evening!)

(Yes, they even hug in the pool... Puke.)

************************************
Next, Second to NO one, Doctor McBluEyes and
her beau, Clark (aka The Rally King)


Clark squeezes his wife up tight.
Cuz he still likes her as much as he loves her.



**********************************
Gramma's 'Third Times the Charm'...
Sparkly Flag Girl and her man,
Chili (I like to map stuff on my phone) Davis



(Not only is this couple cute as a button in matching Blue, they also seek out blue spotlights to enhance their magazine-like photographs.)

***********************************

Last (The Baby) Coach
(cuz they tried until they got it right)
and his wife... um... me.

(Night 3, we drew the short straws and matched.)

Actual moment, two hours following this picture....

Walking down the street, a random man shouts out:
"Hey....! Somebody marry that girl in the white dress, carrying the 24 oz!!!"

I'm about to smile from the surprise compliment,
but then Warhol shouts, while pointing at Coach:
"He already did... and it's not that great!"

The response: the electric hum of Bourbon Street and the thud of my battered ego, hitting the cobblestone.

***************************
(The Sisters and their Men)

(The Brothers and their girls)

Because I like to keep it real,
I will finish each New Orleans post, with a 'Negative Turned Positive' vacation moment.

The Flight:
Historically, Warhol has avoided flying, like the plague. Seriously. Terrified. We discussed this fear (repeatedly, until my ears were bored to sleep) over the past two months. But for the Tru Luv of his girl, Warhol (plus a Valium) hopped a plane south, with VERY little drama. Declaring: "I would definitely, do this again!"

Sweet Flag girl, also a non-lover of planes, MAY have mentioned, she would NEVER fly again.


Except...
Chili is already planning our next trip.

Stay Tuned.

New Orleans Part Two:
The Big Easy's Charms.

New Orleans Part Three:
Smiling is my Favorite.

Guess where we went....!!!?

8 people, went South for the weekend.
Guess where...
Ok... Here's a little hint:


There is a house.....
in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one

My mother was a tailor
She sewed my new bluejeans
My father was a gamblin' man
Down in New Orleans

Now the only thing a gambler needs
Is a suitcase and trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk

Oh mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun

Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain

Well, there is a house.....
in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one
- The Animals



MANY more posts to follow......

Overheard Yesterday....

My version, of our day at the pool...



Overheard #1:

Me: Are you taking Punkin to the bathroom AGAIN?

The Mrs: Yep. I swear... The girl swallows half as much water, as she is swimming in.



Overheard #2:

Me: Coco isn't wearing a swim diaper.

The Mrs: I noticed....

Me: Well, I figure those swim diapers really don't hold the pee anyway... and I feel like we've had some pretty solid talks about not pooping in her swimsuit.

The Mrs: (disapproving silence)



Overheard #3:

Me: Coco, don't drop your cracker in the pool.

Me: Coco, don't eat that wet cracker.

Me: Coco, don't lick that boy's noodle. That's gross. (actually referring to a pool toy, though after the reprimand, I realized that last line is sound advice for several decades into the future.)

Not Exactly Overheard #4:

Me taking a chip, using said chip to scrap the extra nacho cheese off Coco's chin and then feeding her the same 'dipped' chip.

Final Assessment: Lovely day. Not relaxing, refreshing or calming but still a nice start to our summer.

***Footnote: Pictures stolen from Mrs's blog. If you desire a sweet, well written, more detailed version of our day, please stop by Life and Times....

Fi...NA...Leeee!

we actually experienced a nice evening at the ball field. This baseball season has been less than jolly for the parents, The Coach and the players. Fields one year later continue to be wrecked from tornadoes, concession stand still not rebuilt, game days plagued by below freezing temps or typhoon-like rain... and lets not get started on our 'new league drafting policy'.
Top that with a nephew pelted by SEVERAL wild pitches and our son in a 5 game hitting slump.... leaving the spectators (Me) slightly unpleasant.
But last night!! The boys were actively fielding, The Kid got a solid hit, Six got on base and scored, DW pitched very well, the weather was pleasant. AND. We. Won!!

Warhol got an arm work-out, repeatedly lifting Coco.

Dirty cousins, digging for dinosaur bones.

Kayla, delighted the crowd, by checking the tip of her nose. That is funny stuff.

The Kid, had a positive attitude EVEN after a morning at Basketball camp. It's super great he can read 3 grade levels up but really we Heart when he is athletic.

Our boys.
Below: A Flashback....


Uhhhh....
is Coach shrinking or are the boys growing like little bratty weeds?? Who just won't stop getting older.



Nothing better than a good game of baseball.

Hey.. Coco??!

Yep??
Would you like to take a little evening swim?
Yep!
It will be very refreshing. Just you, your sista, the evening breeze... oh... AND



... about 437 mosquito bites!
Summer in the Midwest, Good Times.
And it's not even July yet...

A Conversation:

Between Coach and I.

Me: How about when Tree said "Giddy-Up" the other night?! That was funny.

Coach: Tree is hilarious.

Me: He delivered it perfectly.
I love me, a good "Giddy-Up".

Coach: He was really on that night. At one point I looked over at Warhol and said,
"Man! You have the coolest Father-in-law."

Me (suddenly looking sorta hurt and confused): Ouch.

Coach: Oh... sorry.

Me: My Dad's got a pony tail.
What's cooler than a pony tail?

Coach: You're right.
Not much is cooler than a pony tail.

Thank-You, Grammy.

Coco: Thank-you, for being her Oreo cookie. Her need for a firm outside, ready to pick her up when she falls, her reminder that eating gravel is not a good idea and to wash her dirty little face. You are also her sweet cream filling. Her cuddle when she is tired, her open arms for running in too and her easily convinced shoe buyer when she demands new flip-flops for her chubby little feet... like RIGHT NOW!

Tink: Thank-you, for being her real-life Rubbing Stick. Her lap full of love. Her spot to feel comfort and safety. As any proper rubbing stick should... you respond to her bossy little grunts, by quickly making her life even more comfy, even more agreeable and even more beautiful with a new sparkly pink outfit.

The Kid: Thank-you, for being his library on a rainy day. For being his Go-To place, full of knowledge. You are his favorite book... two beautifully written characters, with engaging conversation and stead-fast devotion. Giving my son, the ability to feel snug, secure and forever welcomed, within your warm walls.

My Brother: Thank-you, for being his life-long Pokey (his childhood blankie). For keeping him safe. For wrapping him up in an unwavering love and support, while promising to never leave him cold or afraid.

And for Me: Thank-you, for being my 'First'. For always being my first and only "Yes! I would like to bring a Guest to Oprah with Me!!"... For being my first phone call, with good news or bad. For being my first friend. My first hug in life (even if they drive me crazy now!) or my first hug or last kiss on the cheek, before I leave on a trip.

You have helped create our five lives. We are your tiny imprint in this world. True... all five of us are flawed, a little bit of a mess and undoubtedly a needy bunch of attention-seeking 'Drama for your Mamas'... but we ARE pretty cute, we can deliver a hilarious sarcastic quip and we have a killer eye-roll.

Most importantly, we are all very loved.
Thank-you Grammy and Happy Birthday!
Well lobe you, two.
Lobe you three.
Lobe you four.
Lobe you more.
(though 'more' is probably impossible.)