Spring Break - NOLA Style

We decided to take a little vacation to New Orleans during Spring Break. We thought the kids would enjoy seeing the sites and sounds of the "Crescent City." They didn't really fall in love with NOLA. They said it was dirty and smelled bad!!! It sure didn't help that our hotel did not have pool! They were devastated!!! After waiting in line for about 30 minutes, we did finally enjoy fabulous shrimp poboys at our favorite - Acme!! Later that afternoon we learned a lot about some creepy crawlies at the Audubon Insectarium. We even got to touch a Madagascar Roach!! (It felt like a crawfish!) The kids really enjoyed seeing tons of different insects. Walker was fascinated with the millipede. He couldn't believe that it really had 100 legs!! Anna Grace really liked the movie that had bugs crawling under your seat!

Inside the car was a movie about "Love Bugs!" AG loved the car!

That night we boarded a trolley and ventured into the Garden District to try out a restaurant we had heard was wonderful - Jacques-Imos. We had another long wait, but it was totally worth it. The menu was extensive and our meals were fabulous!!! The decor reminded us a little of the Red Bar in Grayton Beach - funky!! They even had an old truck parked outside with a two-seater table in the bed - and they actually seated people there for dinner!!

The next morning we made it down to Jackson Square and Cafe Du Monde. The kids didn't think they would like beignets so they picked up some cereal from the hotel. We toted 4 boxes of cereal, 2 cups of milk, 2 bowls and 2 spoons all the way from the hotel (which was on the other side of Canal St.!!) Needless to say, Walker's cup was only half full by the time we got there, and his spoon bit the dust - literally!!) They kids ended up loving the beignets - after they ate their cereal!!

They enjoyed seeing all the craziness around Jackson Square - including the mechanical man. Their favorite was the magician but unfortunately I didn't get a picture of him. There were also lots of educational moments around Jackson Square - like explaining the palm readers and fortune tellers!!

After exploring the sites of Jackson Square, we headed to the French Market. They were fascinated by all the booths. As a souvenirs, Walker ended up with 2 sets of beads - one with crocodile heads on it and one with cheetahs! (Random!) Anna Grace picked out a pretty little silver ring with her birthstone in it.

Later that afternoon we headed toward the Audubon Aquarium. There was a steam boat on the river that was playing lots of organ music. They kids thought that it was so cool that we could hear it when it was so far away. They also thought these statues were pretty awesome. Anna Grace took her camera in the Aquarium and really enjoyed trying to get good pictures of all the fish. Walker really liked the sharks.

Some of Anna Grace's pictures:

AG is loving to pose!!

Even though the kids didn't really LOVE New Orleans, we really had a great time just hanging out and not being in a rush. It was nice to have few days to just relax and enjoy being together.