Does This Carseat Make My Butt Look Fat?

In another flurry of milestones, we switched out car seats this week. Both kids had outgrown their current thrones. Sarek got a new, cush Britax and Booah got the orange hand-me-down. At least Deena washed the cover for her. They were well traveled in those seats, with trips to Ohio, NYC, CT, Boston, Ashland, New Orleans, Tahoe, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Redondo Beach, LA, Las Vegas, Zion and Bryce Canyons in Utah, Mojave Desert, and all the way to India. More travels to come!

A nod to trying to mark as many 'lasts' as we can:

Sarek's last ride in orange seat was to the beach for a play date with Aunty Jaretta. Nola's last ride in the infant seat was up to Cortland Street for food and the park, but this was just after taking her seat to JazzFest with mommy.

Jazzfest/Nola 2010

Heritage Stage

Mardi Gras Indian girls hula hooping after the show.

A Jazzfest natural!

Coming in for a closer look.

Mama, put down the camera and enjoy the band!

Nola at her first Jazzfest! She clapped, sang, danced, snacked, napped, and cruised her way through the day without a moment of fuss. She got her picture taken many times by admirers of her hair, a magnificent spectacle of tight ringlets in the humid heat.

The babes, Mississippi River.

Deena and Nola at the Pearly Gates of Jazzfest.

Anne and Nola on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Stella contemplates a Po-Boy sandwich while

her Mama lounges with a midday cocktail.

Blissfully exhausted after a day in the French Quarter.

The stroller brigade, French Quarter.

Disco ball on Decatur St., French Quarter.

Ready for a night out to see The Soul Rebels Brass Band.

Don't the moms look great for a 10 pm start to the night?!

We got home at 3 am and were up by 7 am for never ending Mama duty. Stella shows Nola how to stand and deliver. Playing in the kitchen. We stayed with Anne's parents on the

West Bank, in the house Anne was raised in. Spontaneous street music after a day at the Fest.

This was on our way back to the car. Nola and Anne with Mardi Gras Indians girls.

Hammer Time

Nola in NOLA

It's girls' weekend at Jazzfest! We are inside today because of a tornado watch, but it is panning out to be nothing on this last day of the festival. Nola's partner in crime in this picture is Stella, 10 months, and daughter to Deena's dear friend, Anne. It's Jazzfest #1 for the girls and certainly a different experience for their mommies. This weekend is evidence that you can take the mommies out of their daily lives, but you can't take the mommy out of the mommies, even at Jazzfest. However, I am thrilled to be here with the additions. The balmy weather is luscious, the music is unbelievable, and we even got out until 3 am last night. (We are paying for it bigtime this morning, though.) Hopefully, this is a tradition our children will continue on long after Anne and I are arthritis-ridden and sipping Maalox on the couch. I love this city and am so proud that it is my daughter's namesake! More pictures and stories to follow....don't have a way to upload my pictures yet. Miss you, Brett and Sarek!

Lookout

Inside the observation tower in the De Young Museum in GG Park looking
toward the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Heart Grows Fonder

Deena flew to Jazz Fest with Nola. Daddy made an airplane so Sarek and Mommy could fly together next time. Sarek was sad and wants to spend time with mommy when the airplane brings her back from New Orleans.

Hoop Dreams