For weeks now, Daddy and Boyza talk about the two dogs we're going to have at the Farm, Blue and Moon. So tonight I was doing bedtime and wanted more information.

"Actually, momma, three dogs. Choker, Blue, and Moon. Choker is white, Blue is black, and Moon is fuzzy. Actually, momma, Moon is black with white spots - one looks like a half moon and one a full moon. Blue is white. And Choker has throwup all over him.. We'll paint him to look like throwup."

Poor dog. I seriously was tearing up, laughing.

Upon walking into a candy shop where fresh pralines were being made, "I want some of whatever smells so good".

Overall, excellent trip. The one thing I learned is that there is no, zero, benefit to using a travel agent. Our plane ride was much harder than it needed to be (flew from Boston through Philly to Nola, when our friend got same rate from Manchester direct to Nola), our room and car were no cheaper than I found online, and the hotel had some serious service issues. We requested a crib months ago. Pack and plays are like $40. Oh and I know we got one of the smallest rooms in the place. All 4 of us.

Anyhoo, great time was had by all. Much sun, swimming, eating, drinking. And a little volunteering by the husbands. Actually a lot.

When we got up and left the hotel at 4 am, sunday, the streets were as packed as they were at 10 when we went to bed. Everyone was just more drunk.

Tomorrah! Tomorrah! I love ya tomorrah! You're only a day away.

Because tomorrow, we are going to N'ohlins. With the parents, and the sister and the niece. Which means plenty of swimming with the kids, grandfolks wiht the kids, and cocktails.

The bag is packed, there is a little spot in there for the aquarium (thanks gals, I will be packing it and those D batteries ;o), clothes for tomorrow are all laid out, small toys and snacky things and empty sippy cups (thanks homeland security) are in the carry on. I am going to vacuum the carseats and the double stroller, and then we're airport bound at 7 am. The worst part is, 7 am is not excessively early. It actually shouldn't be that hard to be ready.

I have to find quarters for the car wash vacuum. Or drag the dyson outside. Hm.

When looking at this picture, she says "massi and ba!" Ba is her word for brother, it's his name.



Today I was informed that the dinosaurs came first, then fire breathing dragons, then pirates, then us. Of course.

Best purchase of the year so far, right here. A child proof water dispenser thingie. No more water all over the kitchen floor. No more "cup? milk? cup?"

Will it be awful if I need to bring the crib aquarium on vacation with us? Will it fit on a hotel crib? Will she sleep without it? She's become conditioned to use it to get to sleep. I have become conditioned to needing to pee when it comes on - it gets me out of sight for 2 minutes to let her settle down, while not leaving her alone.

Hm, it's been a while. The highlights of the past few days have included pinkeye, candy free egg hunt and easter baskets (all the while, still too much candy about), a developmental assessment of the girl, and ice cream in 40 degree weather. Altogether fun.

So the girl is only at 13 months in her gross motor skills (she's almost 18). But she's at 20+ months in terms of language and cognition. She sure is. ;o)

She will make you laugh right out loud. She's got her brother as a teacher.

Well the girl is now conditioned to fall asleep to the sights and sounds of her Fisher Price Aquarium. She settles down in about 3 minutes, which gives me time to go do bathroom things and make sure she's falling asleep. Apparently this has conditioned me as well, because now she turns on the music and I need to pee. Ah, the power of the mind.