The second night we were there, my sister had a get together at her house for friends and family to come visit. It was great to see everyone. It seems like my group of friends is having it's own little "baby boom" as most of us are all having kids at the same time. We had 9 or 10 kids from 3 months (William) to 3 years running around. It was really cute to watch them all interact. I really missed my friends and family so it was wonderful we could all get together.
The next day Chris' mom had a little party at her condo so all of her friends could come see the kids. She pretended it was so they could see Chris and me, but we know the truth. Nothing like showing off your grandkids, and we think it's really cute. My mom came too, so we had 2 proud grandmom's there.
Thank goodness Chris' aunt lives on the parade route because I don't know how people go out there with children and don't have a home base. I guess it's easier when they are still in diapers as they can just pee and you don't have to worry about finding a bathroom or getting arrested for letting your kid pee on a tree.
We had so much fun. Matthew was there last year but he was little and really didn't participate in it. This year he was dancing when the bands played and was raising his arm up and yelling "hey" in his precious little boy voice. A rider on a horse handed him a doubloon and he just held onto it like it was a piece of gold.
So cute.
William liked all the commotion too, but eventually fell asleep at the first parade in the baby sling. Skylar came with us for the first parade too and it was really good to see her. Matthew loves her so much.
We took our big old double stroller out to the Endymion parade route the Saturday before Mardi Gras and showed off our kids. Matthew had a meltdown and we left before the parade. We parked over a mile away so on our journey back to the car, we passed by all the floats and bands as they were lined up on their way to the route and we got to see the GoGo's up close and all the floats. Matthew really liked that.
Sunday was a big day. Chris rode in Bacchus that night so I was on my own with the kids (of course I had Chris' mom, aunt, cousin, and 2 of Chris' mom's friends to help me). Thank goodness too because it was hectic.
I am somewhat ashamed, but I put Matthew on a leash. They don't call it a leash to make you feel better about it. They call it a baby harness, but we all know what it is. He runs away from me and all I could envision was him getting kidnapped or run over by a horse or float. I leashed him. I actually don't feel nearly as bad about it anymore. It kept him safe and we had a better time. Everyone took turns "walking him" and he felt rather independent as he thought he was just leading the way. William slept in the stroller most of the time.
We got to see Chris ride on the float and he was able to stop long enough to give Matthew a teddy bear. I still don't think Matthew believes us that it was really Daddy on the float (he was wearing a mask and hat costume).
So it was a good vacation. Tiring as neither child slept well being out of their beds. The day after we got home we sent the kids to daycare and Chris and I slept and watched mindless TV all day. It was the best day of the vacation :)
