Keep 'Em Busy!

We all know you have to keep those toddlers busy busy busy! I'm ALWAYS looking for new simple ways to keep mine entertained during the day (without leaving the house). Recently, I read a blog post about just that and came away with some great ideas. I tried one this morning and it was a big hit. I simply gave O a bowl of chocolate pudding in the empty bathtub and gave him two paintbrushes. He went to town for about 30 minutes. Woohoo! Heaven for this momma! I unloaded groceries and picked up the kitchen. Success :)

A few weeks ago while I was trying to pack I poured some flour in a pan for him to play with. He got some mini Tonka trucks and pushed them around in the pan for a good while. He actually barely made a mess. Another good way to entertain our little ones!

Here are several other things I've heard are good. Some we've tried, some we haven't.

1. Putting ice and some water in two separate pots and giving your child a big spoon to transfer the ice cubes back and forth. Sounds simple but apparently they love it! Be sure to put a towel underneath the pots. 

2. Pull out several different sizes of tupperware and fill them with uncooked beans. Give your little one a spoon and let him or her move the beans around. I know O would love this one.

3. Play dough! Give them trucks, cookie cutters, and other small objects that may be fun to use with play dough. I'll sit Orien in the highchair and he will play and play with it. 

Adios Winter

I guess winter is over. We had several weeks of chilly weather and then BAM! now it's in the 70s and 80s. Texas has no in between. I had to rush to buy Orien some shorts the other day as I packed for New Orleans because I realized he only had a few pairs from last year. On our trip we got him his first pair of Crocs and he LOVES them! We bought little footballs to go on the shoes, which of course only makes him love them more. The shoes are perfect for the warmer weather we've been having. 

Here he is strutting his new shorts and shoes. 

I wonder how many photos like this I have?

I'm so glad I had my phone in my hand to capture these sweet moment with Teton and Orien. This was right when we returned from Louisiana. Let me tell you that Orien GREATLY missed his puppies. He had a ball in New Orleans, but he asked about his dogs 1001 times. 

This one is the best. I caught the tounge!

Can you see HAPPINESS written all over his face?

I love both of their expressions in this one, haha.

I couldn't leave our first-born pup out. 

We love our sweet Leah. She's still Orien's favorite puppy and best bud.

This was yesterday morning after picking up some Shipley's for Orien. We were on our way to church. Mommy had bible study and Orien was off to childcare. He LOVES it at our church, as do I! It truly has become our second home. There's nothing better than having a warm community of loving, Christian people just down the road from us always welcoming us with open arms! I think every time Brett and I do a bible study or couple's event we meet new people. River Pointe has been an enormous blessing to us. Orien is extremely blessed to have our church to grow up in and be surrounded by such a caring and supportive community at such an important time in his life!

Sorry I went off on a tanget there...

Anyway, this last photo was yesterday after lunch. My mom, O and I had lunch at Cafe Express and then hit Town Square for a bit to let Orien run around. Maqui was showing him how to touch the water and splash. The weather was absolutely PERFECT! Mid 70s, a cool breeze, sunny! I loved it.

This weekend we have NOTHING planned and we are excited :) We plan to hang out with my Nan and Parrain at some point, will attend church and have Home Team on Sunday night. Other than that, we will relax!!! 

Happy early Friday and here's to a great weekend!

"Let The Good Times Roll"

...And the good times did roll!! Visiting all of my family in Louisiana was a total blast as usual. Every minute was packed full with action, laughs and parades. Somehow I found the trip quite relaxing! I didn't have to drive, I barely had to watch O as all of my fam obsessed over him, and Orien slept SO well this trip. Also, a BIG thanks to B! He got up with O twice over the weekend so I could actually sleep in :) Heaven!

I'm going to leave this post mostly to the photos, as I've got LOTS of cleaning to do before picking Orien up from preschool.

Enjoy!!!!

Zoo with Grace!

Laughs with Daddy

Carousel

First Mardi Gras parade - Brett, O, Aunt Brenda

Dog Parade & Mona Lisa Moon Pie

FAVORITE PIC of the weekend!!! Three cousins!

Bad lighting...but that's Bri in the parade behind the mask. Can you see O's very scared face?

Michel and Orien touring the floats.

They were awesome.

Silly :) I LOVE HER!

My girl!

Qui Qui is finally here! At Caeser in town.

Orien's got a hot date in a hot ride.

Aunt Wanda & wiggly O at another parade.

Catching beads in the truck!

Float in Slidell.

Parade #5!

Chillin

SOOOOO worn out.

Last day...in the Quarter.

Checkin out the river.

O loved the boats, of course.

Daddy and his boy!

Watching the bands play in Jackson Square! My favorite part of the Quarter.

Brett's first visit.

Love this city.

Artwork.

Yum yum.

Cafe du Monde. A must-see.

O and Dad dug in...

while Mom drooled.

WHAT A GREAT TRIP!!! I think we need to start a yearly tradition :)