Solo Trip to NOLA

It has been several weeks since I've posted. Sorry about that. Two weeks ago, I traveled with the kids, all by myself. They were *amazing* the whole time. Anders was easy going and Ellis extremely helpful.  And thanks to the iPad, we could travel with one bag and yet have books (plural), puzzles, movies, reading games and coloring books all in one thin electronic device.  Me lovey.  I have absolutely no clue how my mother traveled with all three of us as kids, alone and with no iPad...at night.  That was just crazy.

The trip was to New Orleans for work as part of the White House's new Strong Cities initiative.  I was put on the New Orleans team, for obvious reasons, and my parents watched the kids while I worked.  We also got the chance to see Scott, Hollee, Allison and Baylee and go to an LSU game with Hank (tickets thanks to Jason).  I did a terrible job taking pictures at Scott and Hollee's place.  I am relying on Scott to send the pics and videos he took (hint, hint).

Ellis had her first snowball (blueberry), which remained on her face for several hours, and her second (strawberry) on this trip. 

We visited with relatives.  Here Ellis is showing Aunt Linda her new toy from Kackie and Pops, a magnetic take on a paper doll from Melissa and Doug.  Like all Melissa and Doug toys, it is beautifully designed, made in the US and was a smashing success with Ellis.

There was much hugging and snuggling.  And let me say this: Ellis stopped having nightmares for the first time in 6 months.  Kackie and Pops magic.  Thank you so much Kackie and Pops!

 

Also, while we were in New Orleans, Ellis took a shot at writing her last name.  After a couple tries, this is what we got.  Pretty damn good, if you ask me.  Mike said it looked like an adult trying to write like a child because it was a little too good for a 3-year old.  As of now, she can write all but 6 letters.  The ones she is still working on are G, J, K, U, W and Y.  She told me tonight that she wants to write numbers but that she can already write 1 and 3. 

As for the LSU game, it was a gorgeous night and LSU clobbered Northwestern LA, 49-3. This fun would not have been possible without Kackie and Aunt Hollee, who watched, bathed and got 4 kids under 4 in bed while Scott, Pops and I went to watch football.  They are amazing.  Thank you Kackie and Hollee!

 

But the transportation analyst in me couldn't help but notice the unbelievable proliferation of bicycles on campus.  I have it on good authority (Sen. Vitter's transportation aid) that people in Louisiana just will NOT ride their bikes or walk.  Turns out when they don't have to ride or walk in fast moving traffic, they might just -- by the hundreds.  There were  racks spilling over with bikes like this all over campus.