GIRLS TRIP!!!

Well, this get this party started right. Shall we? 

Tonight is our last sleep before our trip to New Orleans. It is just my mom, Ryan, and myself going. Girls trip...three generations of girls at that. This is very exciting for me, and of coarse my mom and Ry. 

My hubs and I have been to Nola five times in the last year. We went once, and fell in sweet, sweet love with the place. However, my mom and Ry have never been. So we started planning our trip two months ago. Yes trip, because there will be NO time for vacation. More on that later. The thing my daughter wants more than ANYTHING is to hold a baby alligator. Every day for two months she has told me and showed me how she is going to hold it. She practices with our cats (God bless them. If they weren't so old they would have eaten her by now.) We watch shows about alligators and swamps. We are on alligator overload. She is even dreaming about them. I woke her up the other morning and she was pissed because she was about to get to hold one. Oy! So I called the swamp place to make damn sure they would have an alligator for her. Everyone can let out a deep sigh of relief...they do. Here's the little guy I got to hold. Hmmm, wonder where she got the idea? 

So, what is the difference between a trip and a vacation? Maybe you can tell by our itinerary. 

Thursday- Mardi Gras World, St. James Cheese Company (Thanks ODNT), and a tour of a friends new studio at Elephant Quilt Production. Ry is super excited about this because when I spoke to my friend Sunday he said she could play the drums when she got there. Later she let me know that she would like a microphone while she's there so she could sing too. Help me. 

Friday- Our friends are picking us up, and heading to LA Children's Museum. Later we're off to see a Fire Station (She thinks Smitty might be there. Probably not child, but there is a really funny guy named Mike there, and he's  t-r-o-u-b-l-e. He had my hubs and I rolling. We were trying to get him to do a little version of the White Snake Video on the truck, or was he trying to get me to do it? Whatever...move on.) Then, off to see dead people the Cemeteries, shopping, Jackson Square, and dinner at the Evangeline. Then, I get to take two tired worn out girls back to the hotel, and hit the town with friends! (See you soon Jackie and Brandy.) We are going to see Rotary Downs play, finally. Yay! 

Saturday- Sleep in a little please dear baby Jesus! Then, Cafe Du Monde with friends. After we're hopped up on beignets and coffee it's off to the Zoo, Aquarium, Insectarium, Butterfly Garden, and IMAX. We'll take a walk down to the Mississippi River to watch the big ships, and French Market. Then, dinner with our friends again! We get to meet our friends little boy that is already two. Ryan has already claimed the right to sit next to her Jason, and his little boy. 

Sunday- SWAMP TOUR!!! Did I mention Ryan wants to hold an alligator? Finally, the moment she's been waiting for. My sole job will be to make sure she doesn't end up as alligator food. Frankly, I'm a wee bit nervous about taking her. I fully expect her to tell me I'm invading her personal space, but hey kid you are ALWAYS in mine. So we're even. We are also excited to be meeting a different set of friends that live ten minutes from the tour, but have never been. Should be interesting with two little girls out on the swamps. Say a prayer for me, please! Then, back to the hotel for a quick break, and off to New Orleans City Park. We're going to catch up with friends, and let the kids play at the amusement park and ride the carousel. We might even try and squeeze in the Museum if possible...

Monday- Sleep in!!! Breath. Then go do anything we could have possible forgot. Then, off to the airport. 

As you can see, this is no vacation. This is not for the wary. This is a destination trip. Yes, destination trip in the since that we have so many damn destinations to go to. I think when we get back I'll take a vacation. 

Since we packed Sunday (can you tell someone is excited?) I'll have to remember to toss in a little extra patience, remember this itenery is not set in stone, and to sit back and enjoy our special trip together...just us three generations of girls. Did I mention their having a Daiquiri Festival? Everything will be just fine.