New Orleans

So we finally decided that it was time for a trip to New Orleans. We have been planning it in our heads for years, just had never gotten around to setting a date and making the plans. We had nothing really planned for this fall so figured that now was as good a time as any since New Orleans weather is so nice once Hurricane season is over. We were excited, the kids were excited.

This was their first experience with beignets and hot chocolate. We wanted to start them off easy so our first Cafe du Monde visit was the one in Metairie where we could sit outside without all of the crowds.

Not wanting to get messy.

Ainsley eventually gave up on the idea that she could avoid getting powdered sugar all over her and just accepted the fact that we could wash her clothes once she got home.

Sunday was a big day- it was game day. We had tickets for the Saints vs. the Bucaneers at the Superdome. We were so excited that we got there early. The game was at 1 pm and we got there at about 12:15 so that we would have plenty of time for photos and to look through the shops. Well, we though that the game started at 1 pm. .

It did start at 1 pm, Eastern time that is. New Orleans is Central Standard Time. So we were there 45 minutes early and 15 minutes late. That would normally not have been a big deal but when you have two small children and you have to climb almost 90 degrees straight up into the upper decks of the Superdome (whose stairs, by the way, do not meet any normal standard for height code), it takes a little bit longer. We finally found our seats (in front of some Bucaneer fans) and enjoyed the game.

New Orleans fans treat everything as a party and this football game was no different. "Stand Up and Get Crunk" was played repeatedly and every time the fans would all stand up and yell the song at the top of their lungs. After a couple of rounds, Jack and Ainsley started dancing around too, yelling and clapping like the rest of the intoxicated fans. I think that they rather enjoyed themselves. Jack's approval of his hot dog sealed the deal.

The night after the game we went back to Reginelli's in Kenner and had a typical New Orleans evening. We had some pizza, salad and Diet Coke and then went to Krispy Kreme for dessert.

We were lucky to hit them at just the right time (aka Hot Doughnuts Now) and got some freshly glazed warm doughnuts. We also got a dozen mixed for later. We were glad to see that this Krispy Kreme was still standing as all of the ones around us have closed. We missed Ben and Jodi though!

Monday and Tuesday were lazy days, shopping downtown, going to Magazine Street, taking a trip to Tulane.

Alligator andouille gumbo smile.

More beignets and hot chocolate- this time downtown.

Tuesday night we took the kids on a streetcar ride down St. Charles Street through the Garden District to North Carrollton. At North Carrollton, we got off of the streetcar and walked to Camilla's for a very healthy dinner. Jack drank an entire milkshake and Ainsley ate over half of my pancakes.

New Orleans was a lot of fun- so much so that we wished that we can come back sooner. We promised Jack that we would be down again next fall.