SOCKS AND BOO-BOOS

Not sure if Luke is trying to send me a message, or he's trying a new decorating technique. Socks on the wooden blinds... definitely haven't seen that before.

Grey got to try out the new "Cars" Band-aids I bought for Luke. I figured Luke would have an injury before Grey did... but I was wrong. He knocked the picture frame off the wall that hangs over his changing table, and the corner of it left a nice gash in is forehead. Maybe I should take down those frames.

NEW PLAYGROUND

As "Hump" day arrived this week, the weather turned sunny and warm, so me and the boys took full advantage. After breakfast, I loaded them up in the car and headed to a "nearby" playground (20 minutes away... nothing's near in BFE).

Luke immediately took charge and explained to Grey how the playground worked.

Luke tried everything out... the slides (or as he calls them "wees") were of course his favorite, especially the curly slide.

He also tackled the climbing rock. Going up the middle part was obviously too easy, so he quickly mastered the outer edges, which had a higher degree of difficulty.

Check out the video... he definitely has some Monkey blood in him.

Soon after arriving, it was made clear to me, that all Grey wanted to do was eat the Mulch, so he had to be banished to his stroller. He didn't seem to mind... there's always the strap to munch on.

They had two infant swings, so I put them both in and pushed... higher & higher.

The next picture seems cute, but in actuality, Luke is trying to push Grey out of the way.

Luke wasn't sure about this little bridge. In the beginning, he would hold on tightly as he went across it. By the time we left, I had him running across it... well, without holding on all the way across.

Going down the curly slide must have gotten boring, because climbing up it seemed to be much more of a challenge... again Monkey blood

The Betty Queen Center Playground was a huge hit. We will try to visit it every week.

Now that the weather is warm, Luke like any normal child, doesn't want to be inside. When we got home from the park, I got his old riding toys out of the shed and put them up on the deck. I put Grey on one, which he loved, and sat back and watched what unfolded... "crash-em-up" Derby anyone?

Luke instructing Grey on what all the buttons do.

Grey trying them out for himself.

I went inside and got my video camera to capture what happened next.

After dinner that night, we all hopped in the golf cart and headed down to the beach. Luke's Monkey blood was still evident has he easily climbed up the tires.

Friends of ours who have two boys a little older than ours, gave us this digger. Last year, Luke couldn't touch the ground on it, but this year is a different story. Marc sets about showing Luke how it works.

Marc's more interested in it than Luke. Marc keeps saying he wishes he would have one of these when he was a kid.

Eventually, Luke comes around, and they work as a team to fill this hole... Luke by hand, Marc on the digger.

If Wednesday is any indication as to how all sunny and warm days are going to be, this is going to be a busy and fun summer.

NEW ORLEANS FLASHBACK

I thought it was about time that I posted the rest of the pictures from our time in New Orleans.

We had such a HARD time getting Luke to go to sleep at night, that we tried to not let him nap during the day. One afternoon, we lost the battle. Comfort was obviously not a concern.

On Thursday, March 11th, Luke turned 2-1/2. That day we took the boys to the Children's Museum. They both are still just a little to young, to fully enjoy all the museum has to offer, but nonetheless, I think they both had fun.

Luke driving a Fire Truck.

Luke attempting to try the Hula Hoop. Two is always better than one.

Luke working on his City Planning.

Luke and Daddy building with magnetic metal rods.

Grey, like at the zoo, always content to chew on the stroller strap.

Luke at the bubble making station... shortly after I took this photo, he slipped and fell into the pool. His shirt got pretty wet, but other than that, he was no worse for wear.

Luke NOT looking at me for a photo Op.

Luke at the helm.

Luke and Daddy captaining a tug boat.

Luke fascinated by Mr. Roger's train.

Luke visiting a swamp cabin.

Luke creating a masterpiece at the Arts & Crafts center.

Finally, we found an area fit for both boys. On the second floor, there was an area just for little people under the age of three.

Grey on the slide... with Daddy's help.

Luke the Dare Devil.

Grey enjoying a riding toy.

Grey tackling a Wire Puzzle.

Luke and Grey at the Train Table... this would become a point of contention in about ten minutes.

Grey checking out some building blocks.

As we left the toddler area, Luke had his first public temper tantrum. He wanted to take one of the trains with him, and threw an absolute fit when he was told he could not. We eventually got him downstairs, and while Marc went to the gift shop to buy him his own train, he was briefly distracted at the face painting station. Once he was done getting an LSU Tiger Paw painted on his hand, the tantrum continued. He basically whined for the "Choo-Choo" (even though he was holding his very own brand new one) for about a half hour.

Despite the little temper tantrum, the trip was a big success, and a fun day for everyone.

On Saturday, Marc's Uncle Ray and Aunt Heather offered to watch the boys so that Marc and I could have a "Date Day". We were very excited to have some time alone, but we were also glad that the boys would also get to spend the day with their PaPa Faucheux, who was staying at Ray and Heather's. We dropped the boys off in the morning and headed down to the French Quarter. We arrived late in the morning so we decided to have an early lunch. We walked to the Hilton and had lunch at Drago's Seafood. They're known for the Charbroiled Oysters, so of course we had to have some. We only ordered one dozen... we definitely should have ordered more. I'm not a huge oyster fan, but this dish was INCREDIBLE. Anything smothered in Garlic, Butter, and Parmesean Cheese can't not be delicious.

Charbroiled Oysters... YUMMMMMMMMMY!!!!!!!!!!

For other pictures I took that day, check out my Flikr account.

We ended the day with more Yummy food at one of Marc's favorite restaurants, Jacques-Imo's.

We started with an appetizer... Deep Fried Roast Beef Po'Boy... yes, I said deep fried. Then for dinner, I had Blackened Red Fish with an absolute incredibly delicious Cajun Chile Hollandaise sauce. I can definitely see why this place is Marc's favorite.

When we left the restaurant, they had set up a table for two in the back of this pick-up... So Romantic. If it hadn't been so chilly, I so would have wanted that to be our table.

On Sunday, we went to Uncle Ray and Aunt Heather's for a Barbeque. On our way there, we went to pick up Uncle Jimmy, who's actually a cousin. The boys got to swing on his swing and he showed us his garden. His tomatoes are so delicious and so wanted, that this year that's all he's growing and he's selling them. Hard to believe this man has a full wooden leg and is almost 80 years old.

The night before we left, we spent the evening with Granny, Uncle Doug, Aunt Tracy and Uncle John. It was a long and sad two weeks, but it was so nice for me and the boys to get to meet all of Marc's family.

The trip home is a whole other story all together. These last two pictures were taken shortly before the night from "HELL" began.

Lets just say, that we won't be traveling and staying in a hotel anytime soon... at least with the boys in tow.