We all got up late, had breakfast and hit the streets. Did the horse and buggy tour which was great to see and get the history all at once. Any pirate Jean Laffiette fans? That was good but Hennie couldn't hear so he missed a bit. Then we made it onto the Steamboat Missippissi River cruise. It was interesting for all of us. But only for about 10 minutes for the kids. So Dene and I spent the time heading checking out the paddles, (kids were facinated), Engine room etc to keep the kids in check.
'Steam boat' 'Rewarding the Mule, too hot for horses, (they aren't allowed to work!!)
By now everyone was tired so we headed back to the hotel (lots of walking!). The kids had a sleep and I booked tickets to Disney on Ice! I have always wanted to see it and it was in town for the weekend. As was the New Orleans Jazz Festival, which to all you single people and music lovers horror, we didn't go. Just too hard and too bigger crowds with the kids. But it is a huge event in New Orleans.
Anyway we were heading outside to get the car from the parking and Sharni ran straight into a ledge on a bench and split the skin just above her lip! So with her screaming, Nait crying as he just woke up to this, the valet parking guys running around and blood pouring everywhere we knew there was no way we were going to make it to the show on time. We then debated whether to take her to hospital or not. The worry of of sick kids with fever and swine flu panic all in one waiting room was a senario thought that didn't thrill any of us. So when things calmed down and we had a look the cut looked pretty deep and wide so we decided perhaps we had better take her. By now she was ok and not crying all anything, so we rescheduled the tickets for that evening and drove to the hospital. The Pediatric ER ward & waiting room was DESERTED!! Never have I been so happy about emergency being empty. The hospital staff were wonderful. By the time she got through the wound had closed shut and after cleaning it up they decided it wasn't worth stiching or gluing as these would probably cause more scarring than just leaving it. We had to answer all questions and one was if we had been to a city in the last 7 days that had reported cases of Swine Flu. We answered yes! fully expecting the alarms to sound and men in suits to come in and quarinteen us....... Nothing, but we were the first people to answer yes! They haven't had Swine Flu there yet.
By now everyone was tired so we headed back to the hotel (lots of walking!). The kids had a sleep and I booked tickets to Disney on Ice! I have always wanted to see it and it was in town for the weekend. As was the New Orleans Jazz Festival, which to all you single people and music lovers horror, we didn't go. Just too hard and too bigger crowds with the kids. But it is a huge event in New Orleans.
Anyway we were heading outside to get the car from the parking and Sharni ran straight into a ledge on a bench and split the skin just above her lip! So with her screaming, Nait crying as he just woke up to this, the valet parking guys running around and blood pouring everywhere we knew there was no way we were going to make it to the show on time. We then debated whether to take her to hospital or not. The worry of of sick kids with fever and swine flu panic all in one waiting room was a senario thought that didn't thrill any of us. So when things calmed down and we had a look the cut looked pretty deep and wide so we decided perhaps we had better take her. By now she was ok and not crying all anything, so we rescheduled the tickets for that evening and drove to the hospital. The Pediatric ER ward & waiting room was DESERTED!! Never have I been so happy about emergency being empty. The hospital staff were wonderful. By the time she got through the wound had closed shut and after cleaning it up they decided it wasn't worth stiching or gluing as these would probably cause more scarring than just leaving it. We had to answer all questions and one was if we had been to a city in the last 7 days that had reported cases of Swine Flu. We answered yes! fully expecting the alarms to sound and men in suits to come in and quarinteen us....... Nothing, but we were the first people to answer yes! They haven't had Swine Flu there yet.
'The Lip'
So then it was a quick drive out to the area where the town was underwater during Katrina. The houses are still all standing there, derelict and with the stickers and markings (apparently including number of bodies found inside) on the front where they had been inspected after Katrina. Many have been knocked down and just slabs are left, many have been rebuilt but there was so many still there and it was about 4 years ago now.
Now we had the rush home, got changed and tried take two to head to Disney on Ice. (Making certain Sharni did not run anywhere!) We made it and were only a few minutes late. Margaret joined the kids and I while Dene and Hennie headed to the French Quarter for a bite to eat. The kids, Margaret and I all enjoyed the show. The skaters are amazing and of course the costumes were beautiful. It was worth the whole day just to see Sharni's face, she was just dazzled. Nait was suprisingly intrigued and just as it would seem he was losing interest, something would catch his attention and he was into it again.
The men met us back at the hotel and Hennie was stoked he finally got a juicy steak and potatoe so we were all happy. Hennie likes his steaks med/rare and everytime he has had one the whole time in America they haven't had any meat juice (sorry for any vegetarians I hope I am not grossing you out too much bear with me for a minute). But it makes you wonder what the hell do they do to it over here? Perhaps people don't like the juice, but how do they not have it in a steak? Bizare
Dene and I had thought we would head into the French Quarter that night since we had the in-laws and all to babysit. Also to go and see it all late at night would be much more interesting. With the Jazz Fest on the town was very busy and it had that carnival feeling. But with the day we had we just fell asleep instead. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh parenthood, wouldn't change it for the world!
After another sleep in from everyone. You had to expect it after the day we had. We headed out for breaky and a look at the markets before checking out and driving home. All in all I thought New Orleans was great, just not a vacation destination for people with kids. I don't think we would go back during our US stay, but you should never say never!
Had to add this van we saw.... I think the photo speaks for itself!!!! I just wonder what magic is offered????? ( I know small things amuse me)
We had planned on going to Disney World, Florida in a couple of weeks while we had extra help with the kids. However with the whole Swine Flu hysteria here and of course Houston having the only USA death we have decided to cancel the trip. Which was a shame as it was really the only chance to go before the baby is due. In the next couple of weeks school holidays start (3 months of summer!! ) in which Disneyworld is ridiculously busy and too hot for this pregnant mamma.
Nait is going well, although he has started stuttering (not that you could probably tell yet, but I have been listening for it, and have a trained ear after Sharni) Thankfully I had been forewarned because of Sharni stuttering around the same time and with it being hereditary that the chance of Nait doing it, especially being a boy were about 100%. At least Dene and I are aware and we have immediately started doing exactly what we did with Sharni. This should nip it in the bud and sorted very, very quickly. I can't say enough how grateful I was to Janet Beilby with Sharni's stutter and getting it fixed so quickly and easily.
Will add some pics soon.
We had planned on going to Disney World, Florida in a couple of weeks while we had extra help with the kids. However with the whole Swine Flu hysteria here and of course Houston having the only USA death we have decided to cancel the trip. Which was a shame as it was really the only chance to go before the baby is due. In the next couple of weeks school holidays start (3 months of summer!! ) in which Disneyworld is ridiculously busy and too hot for this pregnant mamma.
Nait is going well, although he has started stuttering (not that you could probably tell yet, but I have been listening for it, and have a trained ear after Sharni) Thankfully I had been forewarned because of Sharni stuttering around the same time and with it being hereditary that the chance of Nait doing it, especially being a boy were about 100%. At least Dene and I are aware and we have immediately started doing exactly what we did with Sharni. This should nip it in the bud and sorted very, very quickly. I can't say enough how grateful I was to Janet Beilby with Sharni's stutter and getting it fixed so quickly and easily.
Will add some pics soon.
