New Orleans Day Two

Thursday began with more workshops for TJ while the girls and I hit the pool. The pool area was very nice. I was a little worrisome about going there with the girls since there really were just a few other children. I figured the adults there were trying to enjoy the quiet of the day on the beautiful deck in the city of New Orleans. I'm sure they were not excited about children splashing about. But, of course we have a right to enjoy the day too! The pool was split into two separate pools. The deeper end and the shallow end. And, they were still being filled up so the shallow end was just like a giant children's pool. It was great. Even Leighton could reach the bottom as she floated in her ring. She could bounce up and down and have a great time. The tall hotel towers were also blocking the sun from scorching us, so it was perfect. And we pretty much had it to ourselves. So, it was a bit windy, but perfect.

We had a great time and got back in to get cleaned up for lunch with TJ. We walked around the French Quarter a bit (with nice advice from Jared about where to avoid). Of course there was a convenient Arby's next to the hotel, but we were in New Orleans! We had to keep trying some of the great food. So I had some Jimbalaya (Alligator Sausage and seasoned rice mix) and TJ had the Crawfish Etoufee for lunch. We ate at Cafe Pontalba right in Jackson Square. It was kind of an open cafe atmosphere with a nice view of the St. Louis Cathedral. The girls enjoyed a few street performers on our walk. Those guys that stand like statues are pretty amazing. How do they do that??? :-)

Then, more work for TJ while the girls and I hit a store across the street and then did some school stuff back at the hotel. More French Quarter walking for dinner time. We ended up eating some Chicken Gumbo at the “Gumbo Shop” for supper and met up with Jared again for some more French Quarter/Riverwalk exploring.

The girls in front of the St. Louis Cathedral and statue of General Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square.

Then of course, we had to hit Café DuMonde for some fabulous Beignets.

Jaylyn enjoyed hers

Can you tell how Adley did with hers? She preferred to just lick the powdered sugar off of hers. It is even better when it ends up on your nose!

Another interesting story from Jared came about here. Jared grabbed one of the servers that has been working there for 43 years. Jared got to know him when he coordinated a rehab of this man’s home. Actually a group from the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries where we all met)at Carbondale was the team that worked on this home. This man and his wife had actually stayed in their home when Katrina hit. When they realized they were in trouble they were able to get up out of their home before the waters rose too quickly in the house for them to get out. In that area, the water had even risen above the homes, so they were washed down the street above the houses and each caught a chimney next to one another and were soon rescued by the boats that came around. Amazing that they survived! So, this gentleman was our server this evening.

Here is our gang. The server in the background is the one I mentioned.

My arms were a bit tired from having the older girls holding on to each. They both were enjoying jumping from square to square on the sidewalks yanking me in opposite directions, so I should say my arms were ready for a rest. We headed home for some rest and the girls were ready to wake up and swim again. Another New Orleans day ahead!