McFs Holiday Visit, Plus One

The four McFs came into town a few days after Christmas for their customary holiday visit. Only this time there was one more person tagging along with them, Margaret’s boyfriend Daniel.

We of course did a lot while they were in town. We had 5 Happiness at QP’s the first night, and the three teenagers went to the Saints game the next day. Then we had lunch at Company Burger on Monday (Aunt Lizzie joined us too!), after which we took our streetcar ride. So Riley and I had some company. :)

 

Our most fun outing was when we went to a quintessential New Orleans dinner at Mr. B’s on Monday night. We had a wonderful time there: Popo was pleasantly surprised with our restaurant choice, Daniel is now in love with New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp, and Jenn and I made a new friend in our waiter Kevin. He was fabulous. So much fun.

  

The three teenagers slept at our house that night, Margaret and Daniel spent NYE in the Quarter, and we gathered on New Year’s Day at Nola and Nopsi’s to watch LSU beat Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

 

The McFs were having such a good time that they actually extended their trip an extra day. We had one last meal together at Liuzza’s on Thursday for lunch and then said our reluctant goodbyes. They left super early the next morning and arrived back home late that evening.

Miss y’all. Please come back soon!

Streetcar Symphony

I took Riley on his very first streetcar ride last week. Our plan was to catch it on Carrollton and ride the loop all the way down St. Charles, into downtown, and back again.

It was pretty cold out (although not as cold as the past couple of days….wow) so Riley was bundled up in his peacoat and looking so incredibly cute and grown-up.

We had to wait a bit for the car to arrive at our stop (Riley amused himself by finding some sticks); we actually weren’t quite sure it was ever going to get there. But it eventually did, so we climbed on and luckily found an empty seat.

 

I put Riley next to the window so he could look out at everything we passed. He kept a firm grip on those sticks the whole time.

  

The tracks are being worked on some ways down St. Charles, so we actually had to get off the car, catch a free bus ride past the construction, and get on a different car to go the rest of the way. A bit of a pain, but Riley loved the adventure.

He chose a bench seat right up front on the second car, so that’s where we were as we crossed under the interstate and entered Lee Circle. It was just before this that I realized he was out like a light.

And snoring. Rather loudly. But still holding onto his precious sticks.

I have no idea how he slept in that crazy position with all of the noise going on around us, the driver announcing stops, people getting on and off, cell phones chiming, a bit of wind from the open window behind us, and the car itself going clackety-clack over the tracks.

But he did. He slept until we had to get back off and take the bus again to get back to the car, even when I had to scoop him up onto my lap so other people could sit down.

He woke up a little disoriented and cranky but later told me he really liked riding the streetcar and could we do it again soon?

Absolutely, my Riley-bean. Absolutely.

A Boy and His Balls, Part Two

I wasn’t quite sure what the little one would think of Santa’s gift to him for his first Christmas…..

…..but it seems to be well received.

I’ve put Rory in his makeshift ball pit a number of times, and he seems to enjoy laying down the most.

That way he can kick, kick, kick the balls all around him.

Oh, and try to eat some of the ones near his face. Naturally.

The only problem is when big brother wants to get in there with him.

I have to say no since the “ball pit” isn’t rated for that much weight.

Then again, we are D-U-N done having kids, so we could just throw the wonk potatoes in there and see what happens.

If it breaks, at least we will have gotten plenty of good use out of it!

Video Monday: Bonk

Just a little video of the wonk potatoes being the wonk potatoes, swinging his brother’s swing into himself on purpose.

And then asking if it would hit him in the face.

Happy Monday!

Happy 2014!

Nola and Nopsi graciously offered to watch the little one on New Year’s Eve, so it was just Kenny, Riley, and me at Brian and Bridget’s annual house party on Tuesday night.

Riley basically wanted nothing to do with being outside, preferring to stay inside with Hayden’s trucks. Shocking.

We convinced him to go out with us for a couple of very short spurts, including when the other kids were doing sparklers, but he quickly whined to go back in. I wished he would have wanted to hang with them more, but it was actually okay since the weather was really crappy that night.

So, it’s the start of a new year. Rory will turn one; Riley will turn four. I’m sure we’ll do a lot of really fun things, and I’m also sure there will be some low points to the year. Nothing’s ever perfect and that’s okay.

 

I have resolved to live more in the moment this year. For me that means putting down my camera sometimes and just being present in what’s happening around me. I was lamenting to my friend Karen recently about the blogging I was behind on (but by gosh I did finish it!), all of the pictures I still needed to post on this digital scrapbook of mine. And she said something like, “You know you don’t have to do it.”

At the time, I completely disagreed. But, thinking on it a bit more, I realized she’s totally right. I am glad that I capture so many little moments in my kids’ lives, but will I really remember the story behind every random photograph? I’m much more likely to remember the occasions I’m actually a part of, and that’s what I’m going to strive for this year.

However, I’ll probably fail miserably because I just can’t freaking help myself. I love to take pictures.

But I’m going to try.

Happy New Year to everyone!