About Time to Buckle Down

School is just around the corner and registration is today. I can only hope that we have all the documentation necessary to prove who we are, where we live, and that we are in fact pretty darned smart kids. : ) Who knows! Registration earlier this week for soccer and gymnastics and scoping out swim teams rounds out last week's ballet find on the list of things to make mom crazy this fall. Everything is much more expensive here, so guess who's got to get serious and get to work. Looks like summer is almost over.

Our visit from our Bolin buddies made for a spectacular weekend of fun, food, sailing, and storms. We re-visited some of our favorite culinary sites both in Mandeville (Broken Egg Cafe and Rips) and New Orleans (Cafe Du Monde and Felix's Oyster Bar). We also discovered a new and spectacular restaurant, Jacques Imo's, in the city. The most common utterance as we stuffed ourselves with bbq shrimp, alligator sausage and shrimp cheesecake, fried grits, duck and andouille gumbo, and creme brulee was 'oh my gosh'! It just got better and better as the meal went on. We managed to burn a few of the calories off on Sunday as we rigged the boat and sailed between some wicked summer storms. Good thing the yacht club had cold margaritas to sip on while we watched the light show between sailing adventures. Needless to say, with more calories in than out, I have tried to take up running again this week (with Scout at my side early before the heat hits) and re-discovered how much I hate that sport. Kids and Paul love it, but I love my group fitness, friends and good music, so I'm out looking to sub classes at the local gyms. I hope they find me soon! I sure miss my buddies at Mass Appeal! Maybe I just need to get out on the slip 'n slide with the kids in the afternoon. Sounds like a good way for an old momma to break something, huh?

Lots of prayers have gone out over the past weeks to friends and family who have suffered loss, accidents, and are just dealing with rough times. Life comes at ya fast, and I am in constant reminder to be thankful for the blessings of today.

Ballet and boats

Thursday already! Last night's boat adventure wasn't on the big lake, but rather motoring up the swampy river to the new dockspace. It was beautiful. Almost sunset when we finally finished getting the boat tied in and prepped it for it's first Louisiana sail this weekend. Dark clouds overhead never got us wet, but it rained all around us. Kids have discovered that the wildlife really gets interesting after a hard rain and they love to go explore the neighborhood bogue looking for alligators, turtles, and huge frogs. There's usually a few new critter noises, too, which we're all enjoying.

Today brings our final ballet class for the week. No more ballet until after school starts on Aug. 8. Ellie now has the official 'red' leotard which designates her class and new 'split sole' canvas shoes which was new to me. Don't think they have that kind at Hammer's in Winchester!Anyway, as you can see, I was totally embarassing her by snapping this shot on my cell phone. I am enjoying so much embarassing the kids nowadays. It's what us moms do best. Ellie has a dentist appointment today with a local dentist whom I'm sure can't compete with our Winchester dentist, Dr. Hyde, but it's checkup time and we're here! Maybe some pool time and just enjoying summertime for these last few days before it's time to hit the books.

Using Cyberspace to Stay in Touch

Noah's Armada arrived safely on Sunday night carrying the TN critters to their new home. The house is pretty much unpacked, but we are still having trouble finding where we put things. Scout (the 115 lb Great Labeneese) has experience A/C for the first time in his life and I'm having a hard time convincing him to ever go outside. Henry (15 lb yellow tabby) was scared to death yesterday by some type of reptile, but today has become the kitty version of 'Crocodile Hunter' as he stalks lizards in the yard. Rocky (guinea pig) is just glad that there is a refrigerator here with a seemingly endless variety of salad scraps for him...just like TN! Ellie Grace is going to ballet this week at her new ballet school, Conservatory Ballet Aviv. Zeke and Jacob are sleeping, eating, and preparing for their first sail on Lake Pontchartrain tomorrow night. Paul has pretty much recovered from his bike wreck on July 4th, and we are hoping to sail the Beneteau on the big lake tomorrow night as well. I have just created a Facebook account and now my first blog...so I'm trying to assure we can all stay connected to our friends and family in this hectic but fun adventure. We are all missing our buddies and family back home, but hope to see many of you soon. Our first Louisiana houseguests, the Bolins from Tampa, are due to arrive Friday. Probably have to snag one of the alligators in the neighborhood Bogue to cook up in a stew or something to celebrate!