New Orleans

The first part of our trip was in New Orleans at Gramps and Nana's house. Jack had so much fun playing with them, Blake, and Emmie (the puppy dog). There were for sure a few things that were his favorites...but he had fun the whole time we were there...even at 12:30 in the morning when he wouldn't sleep!

The microwave stand was a perfect fit for him to crawl into and watch everyone in the kitchen.
He loved his Tupperware cabinet. Sorting, Stacking, and carrying it around...what fun!
Jack knew he wasn't supposed to climb up the stairs so whenever someone would go upstairs he would walk over, wave to them, and wait for you to tell him to sit...then he expected (like always) some positive reinforcement claps. Gramps made a barrier for the stairs that worked great...not sure next time if it will keep him off...might need to start brainstorming a stronger big boy barricade.
A good old classic provided Jack with lots of entertainment...Big Mouth Billy Bass. He loved to push the button, dance away to the tunes (Take Me To The River & Don't Worry-Be Happy), and it was fun too trying to put his finger in the Billy's mouth while he was singing. Good Times!
Jack spent a lot of time outside. He had a path he would walk over and over from the patio to the back apartment. Nana had gotten him a pool so when he was tired he would cool off in the water.
Jack's favorite activity this trip was sitting on Gramps's lap to do some business. He would read the Amortizations Book, push the buttons on the calculator, and color on paper. Even with all the other fun things to do....he kept going back to the office waiting for Gramps to sit with him so he could get some work done.
Tuesday after lunch Nana, Nick, Jack, and I headed downtown to the Children's Museum to check it out. Jack enjoyed all the exhibits. Here he is with Nana investigating the sand table. He was a little short but knew what to do...up on those tippy toes.
The little Cafe was fun...Jack enjoyed making all the meals that Nana ordered from him. The museum had a few unique exhibits that the others we have visited didn't have...a cajun cottage, a pier, a St. Charles trolley (rather streetcar as my unsolicited editor/critic has informed me) car, and the grocery store had a shelf full of Zatarain's to buy. Not the cleanest establishment...but Jack didn't seem to mind.That night we got dressed up for the family Bar B Que so that everyone could see Jack. Most of them hadn't seen him since Christmas (the others saw him at his birthday party in March).
Jack dove right into the crowd. Normally you would think a child would be intimidated to be around 30 plus family members that he doesn't really remember...not Jack...he was everywhere having a great time. The food was tasty too!



The next morning we had lunch and then headed to our second destination...Baton Rouge

Gabriella Marie's Christening

The Relle Clan drove into New Orleans on Saturday the 12th of July so we could be there on Sunday to see little Miss. Gabriella Marie get Christened and of course to help celebrate afterwards.

The ceremony was nice and Gabriella did wonderful even with it being during her lunch time.
Jack did great too...would we expect anything less? Of course not!
It was Papa who spilt the whole bag of Cheerios on the Church floor...oops!
After the Christening we headed back to their house for some good food and fun.
Every time I saw Nick awake that afternoon he was playing with Gabriella....guess there is hope that he'll eventually want another baby. Her smiles are infectious so I think that helps even more...Thanks Gabriella....hopefully one day you'll have another cousin to play with and by then you'll be big enough to push back :)

Congrats Gabriella, Betsy, & Reid!

Swimming Practice

OMG-I'm glad I don't have to drive tomorrow....It's so late but I have so many pictures back logged that I want to post.

After Jack's "under water adventure" earlier this Summer we thought it would be a good idea, even with adults all around him, that he have a flotation device on when in the water. We bought this and in preparation for our trip to Louisiana tomorrow- which will no doubt have pool time at Papa and Bebe's -we had swimming practice around the house. This way Jack is used to the floatation vest so it isn't new and scary.

He wore it the whole day. Isn't he precious?!?!?

A Boy Has Got To Earn His Keep...

Last year I bought this Cleaning Trolley at the huge consignment sale...It was total impulse and my childhood memories of playing maid, restaurant, etc. -minus cool tools such as these got the best of me... Recently if we are sweeping Jack desperately wants the broom so....out to the garage (you know our hot junk box) Nick went and back in came the Cleaning Trolley. Jack loves it...he even vacuumed...pretty impressive for someone who runs with the real vacuum is going and this one...really works too!!
He was so cute to turn it off before moving on to another cleaning task.
In the kitchen Nick and Jack had hand broom and dust pan training. I'm thinking more and more what a great buy this was!
And how cute is this...when it is time for bath/pjs, as soon as you take off Jack's clothes for the day he runs over and puts it in his laundry hamper. He will even bring Nick and I's clothes if we leave them on the floor to our hamper...you just have to watch it when loading the washer because he doesn't have the color sorting down yet.