Open for business...

As I posted earlier, I've been learning to sew, embroider, and monogram, and I'm loving it. I have spent hours reading, practicing, and hovering over my sewing machine. I'm happy to say that I'm now open for business! You can check out what I've been working on at www.thread serious.blogspot.com

I'd love it if you stopped by!

Crescent City Clothing Crisis…

Last weekend Anthony and I loaded Sam up and drove down to one of my favorite cities—New Orleans.  It was our first official trip with just the 3 of us.  Every other time we’ve gone on a trip, we’ve had grandparents as back up. 

We got up early, packed up the car, grabbed some coffee, and got on the road.  At least we thought we had packed up the car…

When we stopped for gas in McComb, I discovered that my sweet, sweet, husband had not put Sam’s bag in the car.  The child had nothing but the clothes on his back.  I can tell you one thing, I will never leave the house again without insisting that I see all of our bags in the trunk.  Geez…

We got to the zoo around 10:30, and spent about 3 hours walking around.  Sam had a blast.  It’s truly a gorgeous zoo, right smack in the middle of the garden district. 

I will own up to the fact that we did buy one of those backpack/leash things that I SWORE I would never use.  I must admit, it was a smart purchase.  He never would have stayed in a stroller, (nor would I have expected him to,) and I knew he wouldn’t want to hold our hands all day long, either.  He was happy with his independence, and I was happy knowing that he couldn’t get very far.  Make fun of us all you want, but after seeing miserable parents pleading with their children to stay close and hold hands, we felt justified with our decision. 

One of Sambo’s favorite things that day? The map of the zoo.  Seriously.  He walked around with it as if he really understood it, and referred to it all afternoon long.  Loved it. 

“I think we should go this way.”

A very rare picture of the two of us. I know I look tired. I was. And I need a tan. 

Post zoo, we went to a FABULOUS po'boy place in Mid-City called Parkway Bakery.  A dear friend who is from Nola suggested it, and she was right on the money.  The debris po'boy was to-die-for as were the sweet potato fries.  Sam was a big fan of the outdoor seating. 

After Parkway we headed to another suggested joint, Angelo Brocato’s Italian Ice Cream Parlor.  Oh. My. God.  I don’t think I can ever go to New Orleans again without stopping by.  It’s been open since the early 1900’s, and they know what they’re doing.  2 words—Tiramisu gelato. 
Sam was a big fan, too.  No surprise there. 

We spent the rest of the day strolling around the French Quarter and enjoying the gorgeous weather. 


A trip to NO wouldn’t be complete without beignets, so we hit up Café Du Monde the next morning.  Another big hit. 

Pre-beignets.  Nice and clean.
  Notice Sam’s brand new clothing courtesy of The Children’s Place on Canal.  Never bought anything from there until last weekend, but I was thankful for their presence due to our lack of supplies. 

We hit up the aquarium Sunday morning, which he loved, and then rode a streetcar, which he really loved.  I’m pretty sure we could have just ridden the streetcar all day long, and he would have been perfectly happy.


After a lunch at Slim Goodies on Magazine, we loaded up and headed home.  We truly couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. 

Shopping with Sam...

The other day I had a few errands to run, so Sam had to tag along.  I only had a few things to pick up at Walgreens, so I thought I'd chance it and not make him ride in the buggy.  I gave him a handheld basket and told him that his job was to hold the basket for me.  He happily obliged.

As I was checking out the children's vitamins, Sam stood a few feet away with the basket.  He then began picking up several boxes from a display and throwing 3 or 4 into our basket.  I told him that we only needed the vitamins and that we would have to put those boxes back.  Then I looked down and saw what my child had put in our basket.

Condoms.

3 boxes of them.

Yep.

Apparently Sam doesn't want brothers or sisters.  

A smattering...

I am woefully behind on my blogging.  Shocker.  I've been completely consumed by my new hobby, so my blog has suffered.  I'll try to do better--pinky swear.

What has Sam been up to lately? Hmmmmm....he is an extremely ACTIVE almost-3-year-old.  Emphasis on "active."  He has become a complete parrot--he repeats anything and everything he hears, so we've really had to start watching what we say.  And probably the thing that makes me happiest--he is officially pottty-trained.  Thank. You. God.  Some days I thought I would have a nervous breakdown trying to get that kid to go in the potty.  We've had the minor stuff under control for a long time now, but the major deed was posing a problem.  No longer. 

The following is TMI--you have been warned. 

He will sit on the toilet and ask "is it coming?"  I don't know how to explain to him that I have no idea what's going on in his digestive system.  After finishing his business, his daddy has taught him to say, "I own this potty,"  which is pretty hysterical. 

********

In other news, Sam's great-grandmother sent him some grass seeds to plant and watch grow. He really enjoyed checking on his "plants" every day. 

He looks so old.  He's really lost all of his baby fat, which makes me sad.