My Faith and Joy… and Boys!

You know you’re in the presence of greatness when guests show up in your home with not one but two inventive activities that your kids adore!  We’re so thankful that our friends Chris and Sarah spent time with us this weekend – they came armed with amazing food as well as crafts for the kids, including the wonderful idea of a paper-airplane target!  We were so blessed by their entire visit!  

I had the privilege of chaperoning Becky’s class trip around our town so the kids could learn more about communities.  It was such a treat!  I’m so glad I got to know her wonderful classmates and teacher better (it’s still so strange to me that my kids spend so much time with people that I hardly know!).  I thought it was a great idea for the kids to learn a bit about the behind-the-scenes details that go into running a small town.  We visited all the offices in the town hall, talking to the town clerk, the parks and recreation department, the board of education department, etc, and we also visited the library and the fire department and finished the day off with a romp at the town park.  It was the perfect mix of fun and education, and I’m so thankful I was able to join them!

We were so thankful that my mom was able to join us here in Connecticut for almost a week after attending our family reunion in Louisiana.  It was such a treat for all of us!  When I asked Becky tonight to name her favorite recent activity, she sighed happily and said, “Everything with Grammie.”  My sentiments exactly!

We couldn’t finish our New Orleans trip without a visit to the historic French Quarter!  My mom’s cousin Trish graciously offered to be the tour guide for my mom, sister and me, and so the four of us spent a leisurely afternoon wandering around the quarter.  We had our very first mufuletta (a quintessential New Orleans sandwich) at the Central Grocery, as well as famous beignets at Café du Monde, and more than a few samples of the pecan pralines at Aunt Sally’s.  As my sister said, we had no idea this trip would revolve around eating so much delicious food!  It was a trip to remember – I know my waistline will!   

The street performers and sidewalk artists were very impressive:

Here we are at Jackson Square:

I can still taste that good salty meat:

A glimpse of the great Mississippi!

In case our beignets were lacking in powdered sugar, there were also huge shakers of sugar on the tables.  We were covered in it by the time we were done licking the plate clean!

Farewell, New Orleans!  We had so much fun!