Mardi Gras 2009

This past weekend, Chad and I enjoyed an incredible weekend in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. We started out in the French Quarter on Saturday. Chad and I walked around for most of the day taking in the different sites and people watching. . .it was awesome. We eventually found ourselves at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. We then continued walking around stopping at bars here and there. . .just enjoying our time together. We haven't had a weekend together in quite awhile, so it was nice to hang out with my hubby.

Here was one particular site that Chad enjoyed--it was a bunch of girls walking around with airbushed tops on! It was crazy--and COLD!!

Here we are at another 'bar-stop' I believe it was at this point that things started to get a little rowdy for us--we decided to start taking shots together.

Here I am back at the hotel after SEVERAL more stops and shots---it seems I made friends with the doormen. . . . .

as well as the security guard.
The next night was the Bacchus Ball. Terri's father was nice enought to get us tickets for Sunday night's party. Neither one of us had been to a Mardi Gras Ball before, so we were pretty pumped. Here we are at the hotel two hours before the ball.
We met up with my sister Lindsey and her boyfriend, Butsie for a little while at the Bacchus Bash around the corner.Later, the Fosters met up with us so we could walk to the Convention Center and start the festivities. (Even though Chad had officially started his own festivities a few hours earlier with Lindsey and Butsie)

The entrance to the Ball at the Convention Center.

Terri and I getting ready to start the fun.
Around 8:30 pm the NOPD started the parade in the Convention Center. They were soon followed by The Marine Corps and St. Aug's bands--they were so good.
Val Kilmer (Top Gun) was the King of Bacchus. We didn't see or hear too much from him that night. He seemed to enjoy himself throughout the parade route a little too much and couldn't even stand or give a speech by the time he rolled into the Convention Center.
One of the many floats of Bacchus--it was so loud and crazy. Drinks and food were flying off the tables while the riders threw to their family and friends.
After the parade, the music and dancing began. We heard performances from the TopKats, Three Dog Night, and Cowboy Mouth. The bands played until 4 am. Here's the guys shaking it on the dance floor.
Brandon and Chad decided to show off more of their moves.
And Oh Yes, they are BOTH biting their lips.
And it gets even better. . . As you can see we had a blast. We are still recuperating . . .the 6 hour drive home SUCKED.
Special thanks to Mom and Dad for watching the kids for us. It meant so much to us that we could go and enjoy ourselves--sorry Callie ran a fever all weekend.

Another thanks to Terri and Brandon for arranging such a great weekend. We had an amazing time and are already planning next year's weekend---but next time, we're FLYING!

Science Projects

This week, the boys' science class is discussing the life cycle. They each had to create a unique way to present the information learned. The project was created at home--this is actually the first school project that they did NOT want my help. (I know, they're getting so big--I hate it.)

Anyway, Jake made a mobile---he drew individual pictures demonstrating each stage of the life cycle--it was really cute. (Sorry, but I forgot to take a picture of it before he turned it in.)

Mason went another route---he created an interview between himself and "Bob the Caterpillar." He made up all the questions and answers.

Here's the final product:

Interviewer Mason: How was it being in the first stage? An egg?
Bob the Caterpillar: It was ok. A lot of transforming going on.

Interviewer Mason: What was the first thing you saw when you came out your egg?
Bob the Caterpillar: I saw a big juicy leaf and I dove into it.

Interviewer Mason: Have your eating habits changed?
Bob the Caterpillar: Yes they have. I’m now eating 5 leaves a day.

Interviewer Mason: What would you think it would be like in a pupa?
Bob the Caterpillar: It’s going to be hard because I won’t have anyone to comfort me.

Interviewer Mason: What do you think you would do inside your pupa?
Bob the Caterpillar: I might bring a comic book with me.

Interviewer Mason: What is the first thing you will do as a butterfly?
Bob the Caterpillar: I will find something to eat and brag to my friends.

Interviewer Mason: What do you think it would be like to fly in an open area?
Bob the Caterpillar: I think it would be good to fly wherever I want.

Interviewer Mason: What color do you want to be?
Bob the Caterpillar: I want to be red, white, and blue. The colors of America.

Interviewer Mason: What is your favorite food now and do you know what would be your favorite food as a butterfly?
Bob the Caterpillar: I like leaves now and I might like nectar from a daisy.

Interviewer Mason: So do you plan on having kids?
Bob the Caterpillar: WOW! When did kids come into this?

Why I Need a Vacation . . . .

Being a working Mom is certainly a tough job, especially when I am surrounded by kids 24/7.
I guess I have been a little grumpy lately because when I walked down the hall of our 5th graders, this is what I found posted on a locker:

"Beware. . Mrs. Straughan. .Beware"


I realized they misspelled my last name, but that is to be expected---it is pretty tough.
Yet, I am convinced that my spelling lessons just aren't getting the point across:

Busy Days

Things around the Straughan house have been busy lately. . . sorry for not posting.
Here's an update.

Mason just finished a great season of basketball. He learned a lot and improved greatly. By his last game, he was finally getting some fouls and taking shots. We really had to work hard to get Mace to be more aggressive--he's just so POLITE!!

Then bad luck struck---Mace spent three days at home this past week battling the flu! Thankfully, the doctor prescribed inhalers for all the kids to take as a precaution. So far, no one else has any symptoms--we're keeping our fingers crossed! The flu is hitting our area pretty bad---we had over 21 kids absent in our hallway at school last Friday!!

Jake decided to sign up for another season of Flag Football; he's having a great time. He plays every Saturday morning. He is one of the best offensive players on the team; I wish everyone could see him---he's pretty fast!

Here's a shot of Callie--she was banished to the lightpole during Jake's game because she was aggravating the living crap out of me. As you can tell, it doesn't seem to bother her much.
Here's Callie after school---every day it's a new outfit to play in. Of course she is NOT allowed to wear this to school. But as soon as she comes home, she throws some randomly ridiculous outfit on, and sings opera. She's so weird--or really creative--we haven't decided yet.
On Saturday, we went to the neighbor's to celebrate DeeDee's birthday.
Congrats to Mrs. Becky! She and Trevor are expecting their first baby in July.
So yes, she is COMPLETELY sober in this picture--she just likes wearing the tiara. Now you can see why Mrs. Becky is Callie's favorite person!