We Be Festin'


Today's lesson for the girls - the fine art of enjoying live music.  One of the many reasons that we put up with hurricane evacuations, ridiculously high homeowner's insurance, and the knowledge that we push to the back of our brain, that the possibility that next hurricane season our house may be under twenty feet of water is not very far-fetched.
While throughout most of the U.S., October means falling leaves, and picking apples, in New Orleans it means festival season.  That means lots of great live music and lots of delicious festival food.  A couple of weeks ago, we had the Gretna Fest, which has gotten pretty big in the last few years and it's great because it is within walking distance from our house.  One of our favorite performers was Trombone Shorty, a young trombone player from New Orleans, who had a rockin performance, complete with second line.
Another great happening is the free concerts at the river in Gretna.  On Friday evenings on the banks of the Mississippi, Gretna hosts a different performer each week.  It's a great place to hang out with the family and enjoy some good music.
Marley had a blast listening to Bag of Doughnuts and she looks forward to "dancing at the fest with papa" again soon!
Uncle Jessie joined us for some good food and so he could get in some good practice since he and Aunt Amanda are expecting their own little bundle of joy in June!  Congratulations you guys!

Things from all over


Mackenzie has been using her "I'm the baby" status as well as trickery to work her way into our bed occasionally - usually by begging for food at 5:30 in the am.  Usually after we have gotten up to help Mars to the potty at least twice.  I know it's terrible but you know you would like to wake up next to this little snugglebug too!  We have been working on breaking her of this bad habit that we have let her develop - she is not happy about this and is quite persistent - usually crying for at least an hour.  She is getting better though.  That tricky baby!
Marley is LOVING school, just this morning she was begging me to take her even though she doesn't have school today.  She must miss me desperately when she's there!  Last weekend the school had a Family Fun Day and the kids performed on stage some of the new things that they are learning.  They sang Jesus Loves Me and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and danced the Chicken Dance as well as several others.  Mars did great and we were so surprised that she wasn't nervous at all.  It really made us happy that we got her in the program.  It's amazing how proud you can be of the chicken dance - our little superstar!  Startin early!
Wednesday was Tre's little brother Wesley's 30th birthday.  Yes I said little brother, Tre' is getting up there! His wife, Heidi threw him a surprise party on Saturday complete with Dunk Tank.  I recommend the dunk tank for any occasion, birthdays, anniversary, weddings - whatever.  It was a blast!  They are internet shy so here's a pic of Tre' at the party - I just love this one.  Happy Birthday Wes - your youth is gone!  I hope you enjoyed it!!!
Finally, Mackenzie is getting old enough to really interact with Marley and since she has been training since the first day of her life, she can hold up pretty well to Marley's roughness.  Anyway, they are just starting to really play together and it is awesome to watch!  Marley has been doing really well with sharing and she usually makes sure that Macks has something to play with, especially when she takes her current toy and wants to stop the crying before she gets busted!  These girls make my heart super happy!  Muah!