Langston Family Blog: February 2007

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Sip and See....

Gavin II is making a rice baby in his class. They make "babies" that are stockings filled with rice to the exact weight that they were when they were born. they decorate their cribs, make nunus, etc for their babies.

Yesterday, Gavin said "Mommy, did you have a baby shower when I was in your tummy?" I told him yes wondering why he was asking that question. Then he says "we have a lot to do - we have to send out invitations". I was really confused now. He then went on to tell me that they were going to have a baby shower for their rice babies - a little "sip and see". He actually used the words "it's going to be a little sip and see". I think that was the funniest thing I have ever heard him say! :)

He then told me that the "parents" were not invited - only "mommies and daddies". Obviously, hre is unsure about the definition of parents. So, I think that we will be receiving invites soon to rice baby's sip and see. Too cute!!!

J-E-L-L-O

With Gavin in the track of trying new things, Daddy made him JELLO last night. It took overnight to get jello-like. He could not wait to try it - or just touch it. He decided that he just likes touching it because it's so wiggly.

Notice his first love on the table, too - his McAlister's sweet tea. Daddy has class on Tuesady nights so we did McAlister's take-out. He ate an entire chicken breast and a McAlister's size baked potato, a chocolate sucker for dessert and then moved on to the jello. The boy can eat :)

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Picky Eater No Longer?

Last night, I made beef stew. I searched for a recipe that Gavin II would be able to eat as well as us. I can't use McCormick seasoing or anything because they usually contain wheat, soy, etc. So, I found a recipe that I could use beef broth. It came out good but the gravy was thin. It tasted a lot like Chinese food Beef ad Broccoli.

Anyway, I never thought that Gavin II would eat it. He is extremely picky and usually won't try anything new. He also will not eat food on top of food - like ketchup with tater tots or jelly on toast. We even have margarine that he can use but he won't hear of it. Well, he tried the stew and loved it - even asked for seconds. He also did not even put up a fight when it was time to sit down to eat. He actually met me at the table. Then, this morning, he ate a strawberry dipped in chocolate. Then, tonight he asked for macaroni and cheese (I have a box similar to Kraft but it's dairy, soy free with wheat free pasta - yum!). He also asked for pancakes with SYRUP! These are huge leaps for him. Maybe the pickiness has come to an end. I hope so! He is so excited to try new things, which is definitely new and a welcomed change!

As a bonus, he asked for the beef stew again tonight and requested it for lunch tomorrow - YAY!

Mommy Cut The Long Hair

I am way late in posting this. I made a stop at the spa we were staying at in Orlando and had my hair chopped off!! I love it! Keep in mind in this picture that the hairdresser REALLY straightened my hair - I don't usually have it as flat as it is in the picture. I am really enjoying it short. It is so much easier to deal with :)

Mardi Gras 2007

I know I am bit late with this - sorry, busy week. You were probably really tired of seeing Wendy! :)

For Mardi Gras this year, we stayed in Metairie. We heard really bad stories from a lot of people who were uptown for parades this year. We went to Dave's place in Metairie and had a pretty good spot. They were only letting "tenants" use the parking lot - we said we were tenants I mean Dave and Meg are practically family :) Nana and Papa met us there. Shaun and his girlfriend, Jesscica, met us too about 1 hour before the whole day ended. We had popeyes, family and Mardi Gras - no better combination!

The float above is the float that Good Charlotte was on. Kidd Kraddick was noton the float this year. Gavin II was diappointed - we listen to their show every morning and he really was excited thinking that he would get to see them. No such luck!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Wendy's Back

Wendy used to be a manager at McAlister's in Kenner. She moved to Jackson right before Katrina. We befriended her when Gavin was about a year old. She has always loved Gavin II and he loved her! She always took care of him with his special dietary needs and made sure that everyone else did as well. She's the best! We have really missed her since she has moved away but the other managers have kept us up to date about her.

She is in town right now visiting and we happened to go to McAlister's tonight and she was there! She has since had a little baby boy named Ayden. He is now 6 months old and we cannot wait to meet him! We were so glad that we got to visit with her and Gavin was really excited to be reunited with his friend! :)

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Airplane Germs?

Maybe it was the nasty circulating germs on the plane? Not sure. He has fever and has a fierce cough. He was again able to eat in mommy and daddy's bed this morning for breakfast. He requested the table again and his Gavin glass. As I was setting up the table, he says "Water" (like, "where is it?"). Again, he's not spoiled at all!

Friday, February 16, 2007

Made It Home!

We are finally home. Our flight was delayed about 1/2 hour in Orlando. We were supposed to take off at 2:50 and we finally took off at 3:30 pm. It was really nice getting home. Gavin II slept the entire flight home until about 20 minutes prior to landing. The only problem we encountered was that Gavin II was a little gassy and kept letting vapors escape while sleeping during the flight. The poor people behind us were laughing - at one point, the lady behind him opened up a perfume sample in a magazine to cover the smell. It was really funny! :)

Anyway, great trip but we are glad to be home!

Orlando Model Train Exhibit

We checked out of our resort at 10am. Our flight was no until 2:50pm EST. So, we had some time to kill. We went over to the model train exhibit - we knew that Gavin would enjoy it - both of them!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

The Noodle

This is Gavin's picture from Discovery Cove. He discovered the "Noodle" while we were there and loved it. He did a really great job with it and "swam" well. We got one complimentary picture of all of us and then daddy got suckered into buying this one too!! It's cute, though! I am so glad that we bought it!!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Back to SeaWorld

After recovering from Discovery Cove, we showered and went back to SeaWorld. When you buy tickets to Discovery Cove, you get a 7-day pass to one of the other Anheuser-Busch parks. So, we have 7 days free at SeaWorld. It is only open, though, until 6pm. So, we went 2 days for 2 hours each. Gavin II really enjoyed it. It is safe to say, I have had enough Shamu!

Discovery Cove

Wednesday, we spent our Valentine's Day at Discovery Cove. We had to lock up our stuff so I only took one picture. It is such an unbelievable place. It has beaches, a lazy river that has warm water, a lagoon that you can wade with sting rays, dolphin swims, etc. It is so nice!! It is all-inclusive. It includes breakfast, lunch and all your snacks and drinks.

Gavin II looked ADORABLE in his little wet suit. Gavin and I only wore the vests. Gavin and I got sunburned - badly. We actually got burns like my brother, Scott - SPLOTCHY. Gavin II wore the wet suit so he only got a little red on his face. He had a great time - so much so that he ended up falling asleep on the beach chair with a towel over him!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Back To The Lego Store

I promised Gavin that we could go to the Lego store tonight since we were cooped up all day. He was so excited. After we picked up Gavin at the conference, we went to Downtown Disney and went back to the Lego Store. Yes, he came away with that Thomas lego set. He knew exactly whet he was going for - trust me! He told me all day that he was getting Thomas AND James - he only got Thomas.

We also had to get a picture of Gavin with the lego dogs again. We took a picture of him with the lego people and the dogs when we were there in November. His favorite is the dalmation. This time, only the dogs were there - the people were MIA.

We also had to get a picture with Gavin and Gavin II with the lego dinosaur. He is a "Dino" at school - it was only fitting to take the picture :)

The Arcade

While it POURED, we made our way down to the arcade. It was really small but it kept him entertained for about 45 minutes. I took him on in air hockey - he's REALLY very good. He surprised me! He was hitting it back and forth well.

I took some pics of the funky weather but you can also see the resort. It's so nice! I love it - and it's ANT FREE - always a plus!

Rainy Tuesday

Gavin was at the conference all day today 8-5:30. So, Gavin II and I laid low and just hung out. It rained for several hours and we were under a "severe weather" watch. All in all, by 4pm, it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon and evening. During the day, Gavin II requested to eat lunch outside on our screened in balcony. Nice!

Monday, February 12, 2007

Seaworld

After Gavin's conference, we hit Seaworld for a couple of hours (4pm-6pm). It's a nice park - Gavin II LOVES animals and fish so it's the perfect place for him. He was really psyched about seeing Shamu. It's an Anheuser-Busch park, so daddy was psyched about the hospitality building with the free ber. Plus, there are billboards for Shamu and Seaworld everywhere. The dolphins had to be the neatest part. They just came right up to you and you could pet them. Gavin II loved it.

The Shamu show "Believe" was really beautiful. For being so big, those whales sure are graceful.

We also enjoyed the penguin exhibit!

Hot Rod

This is our rental car. It's a different kind of car - it is a Chevy HHR. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying that I would never have chosen this car!!! Gavin II seems to like it....

I know, Scott, nice parking job. Save yourself the comment :)

Ants

Gavin enjoying his fruit in the lobby while we waited for our room to be ready

While Gavin was at the conference, Gavin II and I played miniature golf. We made it to hole #12 before the attention span ran out. He told me that golf takes too long :)

So, Sunday night, we discovered ants in the bathroom at the hotel. We were staying at a Comfort Suites. So, I complained and we changed rooms to an ant-free room Sunday night. Then, Monday morning, there they were again - those tiny little sugar ants that get everywhere. That was it - I had it! I called the HUGE resort and spa next door and made reservations. I then went and complained again - this time explaining that we were checking out. The guy at the front desk actually asked if we would consider changing rooms - again. The answer was a polite NO.

So, we checked in to the luxurious Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa. It is gorgeous. 7 pools, miniature golf, arcade, spa, a marina - you get the idea. It's great, We are in a studio "villa". Every time we pass the Comfort Suites, Gavin II says "That's the hotel with the ants - we're not staying there anymore!"

Sunday, February 11, 2007

UNO

Gavin II exhausted but still eating!

Once we finally got settled, we were all starving. We drove around and around. I really had a pizza craving. We decided on UNO. It's a Chicago style pizzaria. I felt ok about the place because they had a whole Kiosk set up for food allergies, etc. You could see all the ingredients in all of their food. They were more than helpful. Gavin I only wanted Broccoli - he always gets broccoli at restaurants. Well, we realized after he ate 2 pieces that they had butter on the broccoli. My heart sank! The manager came and confirmed that it was indeed butter. We immediately scan him without trying to alarm him that something was wrong. The manager brought out the label and, thankfully, it was a margarine substitute that was made with soybean oil and soy lecithin (which he still can't have but it's better than having MILK in it!!) Anyway, he was fine and they gladly exchanged it for a new fresh batch of steamed broccoli!

My flatbread pizza and Gavin's deep dish was yummy, too!

Tommorrow, Gavin has to start attending his conferences all day Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, it's only half a day of conferences. Gavin II and I are hoping that it will be warm enough to hang out by the pool. We are also planning on going to Sea World Wednesday. Thursday, we have tickets to Discovery Cove. Check it out if you have never been there - www.discoverycove.com - really cool place if you are ever in Orlando.

The Flight

This morning at 10:40 am, we left for Orlando. We arrived here about 1:30 pm EST.It was a very smooth flight. This was Gavin II's second time flying but he does not remember the first time - he was only 1 1/2. He did WONDERFUL on the flight. He was really excited about taking off. Then, he watched his Thomas DVDsfor about 1/2 hour ith his headphones on a big laptop. Then, he fell asleep for about 20 minutes and woke up right before we landed. He told me right before we landed (when it got a little bumpy), "I'm getting just a little nervous about this jet". All in all, he enjoyed it and did great. His ears did not bother him one bit.

Check out that plane. In New Orleans, you board like usual in the airport. In Orlando, you actually exit the plane OUTSIDE. It's a crazy, small little plane that you can barely stand up in without hitting your head!!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Caesar 2007

Saturday night, we met Nana and Papa in Metairie to watch the Caesar parade - it's one of the nicest in Metairie. It was also VERY long but very cool. It was a cartoonish theme and was relly pretty. Gavin II enjoyed the Imagination Movers float. They started out as a very local band. Now, they have their own spot on Playhouse Disney in the mornings. We are proud of our New Orleans made success stories!

Tie A Yellow Ribbon....

During the parade last night, there was this Plaza Festival event over by Lakeside Mall that had a lot of acts that your parents liked - The Platters, etc. Tony Orlando was also there. My dad was asked to come to the show and went.

I called my mom during the parade and she said "Tony Orlando called me". I had just been saying that I had just seen Mt. Carmel and I reply with "Did he ask you to march with the girls?" She said "TONY ORLANDO, Sher". I had not a clue.

She goes on to tell me that my dad got him to sing a part of a song that he sings to her over the phone. The song he sang was one that they danced to in the living room of their house....the night they fell in love....how sweet!!

Krewe of Excalibur 2007

After the elements got to him...

Before the elements got to him....

The King's Float

The Mount Carmel Cheerleaders (Yay!!!!)

The Carmelettes (Who are the 2007 National Champs. At regionals, my mm told me that they took home every award!!!)

Last night, after a very bad day at work, we met Nana and Papa and went out to the Krewe of Excalibur in Metairie. This was the first night parade and it really kicks off Mardi Gras. As for the weather, I was totally unprepared because it was about 75 degrees during the day and felt great. Last night at the parade, it got into the 50s. I was freezing - I had on was thin scrubs!!! Gavin II came to me 3 times and said "I'm cold". Nana and Papa were with us at the parade and gave Gavin II a blanket to keep him warm. Thank goodness they were there! :)

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Little Rascals 2007

It was a little cold but a great parade. It was really cute because, of course, it's all children. Gavin II even spotted a kid in his class that was riding. Juju and Pappy met us there. It was a nice afternoon! Gavin II actually waved at the riders this year and was actually trying to catch beads...last year he was a bit shy and wouldn't raelly wave. He's all about Mardi Gras this year :)

Congrats, Dave!

our friend Dave has started his chiropractic clinic in Metairie. It's a great clinic and he and Meg and their families have done a fantastic job getting it all pulled together.

Today for the parade, we stood near his office on Veterans and we realized that his sign went up! We are so proud!! Congratulations, Dave!