More Nina painting. And Kai climbing.
What a weekend. We closed Bogue Falaya on Friday night. Fridays are fun - we know quite a few people now who congregate then, Elias comes with his dad and brother, Merrick (who Nina follows around all starry-eyed). I've met awesome moms and dad there. Bogue Fayala is all sand and wood and nestled in the trees by the river. It's Kai's favorite because there are always older boys there to run around with. So Friday night we were there 2.5 hours and the kids were wiped. Got dvds on the way home: Kai watched Despicable Me, and I made the kids watch Charlie Brown Christmas. I LOVED IT. It's been so long, I'd forgotten what it's all about and how hilarious it is.
Saturday Kai rocked his piano lesson even though he hadn't played in weeks. Then the kids frolicked at Franco's school while I worked on the computer. I got some Kai time while Nina napped, and the night ended at the lake with a parade, music, decorated boats on the water. My bold, brave, extrovert, never wavering, never doubting Kai just jumped right in with a group of older kids playing football. He just ran and ran and ran with them until they started paying attention to him. Smile never left his face. The older kids are so nice to him! It always amazes me. He's never been belittled or bullied by older boys.
I took the kids out to eat, and they were again wiped at bedtime.
Sunday we hiked to New Orleans - a blustery day, and the lake looked like a pot of gumbo. We spent time at Katy and Hector's house (Hector is the Katrina baby, just 2 weeks younger than Kai, a beautiful creole kid, with energy almost equaling Kai). Then we spent a wee bit of time at the Treme Gumbo Festival but kids were tired and music too loud. Drove through a CRAZY Saints tailgating neighborhood to get to Sara and Matt's house, had pizza with Tibo. Ran the kids at the park and then we made the long trip home. Worked beautifully - kids were pooped and asleep by 7:45!!!!!
Can't wait for Nate to come home. I yelled at the kids this weekend and felt like the worst mom in the world. Single parenting really sucks. I felt like I cleaned and cooked the entire time and never played with either kid, hardly took time to cuddle or tickle or even gaze. Single parents, you humble me. It's a tough job. I can't wait to hear about Nate's weekend in Sacramento, he saw our great friends and had a fantastic time.
