Spring Break, LITERALLY!

Not just a week, but 5 weeks! Sorry about that. I just kind of hit a point where the blog seemed like a chore and I felt nothing around here was very interesting to write about. I am trying to get back at it!

Now about Spring Break...check out this post to learn a little about Kris' Spring Break. After we saw him off, we headed to my hometown for a few days. We had a great visit with my family, got to see my brother and sister-in-law, and do a couple of things that needed to be done (like Bankston Hays' pottery hand and footprints)! I also got to sneak in a trip to the Flea Market. It almost never works out that it is in town the same weekend I am, so that was a treat! I can usually find pretty good deals on smocked clothes, hairbows, kids' books, and homemade FUDGE (we can't forget that!). After a few days of fun stuff, we kicked it up a notch! My sister and her boys, my mom, and I all headed to New Orleans. We spent the day visiting the Zoo. It could not have been a more beautiful day! Highs in the mid 70's with abundant sunshine and a nice breeze! We did it all - flamingos, elephants, gorillas, the carousel, and the new Dinosaur exhibit! It was a great day.

But our fun had just begun! We said bye to my mom (she was going to spend the night with her brother and his family) and my sister and I started our adventure. Holly and I had booked a room at a hotel downtown. So, we loaded up and headed that way. We picked up some pizzas and then checked into our hotel. I am sure we were a sight! Two women, 5 kids (ages 1-6), a stroller, a double stroller, an air mattress, a pack-n-play, duffle bags for everyone, and cardboard pizza boxes all walking through a parking garage to the hotel lobby! Once we got our room key and settled in, we ate our supper and put on our swimsuits! Indoor pool - we're there! The pool was a blast. The kids could not have had more fun getting to swim around! There was no doubt they would pass out once we got back to the room. With the darkness of the room, everyone slept until 8:40 am when Kris called to check-in! That got the ball rolling. We got everyone bathed and dressed and everything packed up. We were ready to start our second day in the Big Easy. All of us and our garb successfully get out of our room and to the elevators. Once the tiny elevator doors open, Wes and Ann Elise step inside. (Let me remind you we have two strollers, 7 duffle bags, 5 children, two adults, an air mattress, and a pack-n-play to load in a super tiny elevator) As we were trying to steer the double stroller in first, the doors start to close. With my two oldest inside! Up they go. Terrifying!!! To say.the.least. Holly was crying and I was praying. Thankfully, before we had had time to think through the scenario, the elevator was back on our floor and we could hear Wes saying "I hope they're here!". God answered my prayers by returning them to us unharmed and provided a very nice, German lady that helped steer the children back to the right floor. With that event behind us and a renewed sense of security with my children, we checked out and started walking. We took the Riverwalk to Cafe Du Monde and enjoyed some beignets. Holly craves them regulary and her boys had never tried them so it was special!

Then we made our way back down to the Aquarium. We got to see lots of great sea animals. I think our favorite exhibits this time were the penguins and the sea otters! Ann Elise is our bravest when it comes to creatures! She touched a baby shark and a stingray. After the Aquarium we decided to call it a day and head back to our house. When we got home the kids enjoyed playing outside while Holly and I sat back and watched. We woke up super excited because Kris would be home around lunch! We could not wait to have him home!!!