Easter Weekend

On Saturday, we went to the Easter Egg Hunt and celebration at Davant FEMA park, where Jana used to work. Nino Octavio participated in the egg hunt, stopping after he had one egg for each hand. He was excited to be around all the kids, clapped his hands to the music the band was playing and loved the freshly fried chicken. On Sunday, we just had to step out of our door for Easter fun. It was a gorgeous day and we had an egg hunt with our neighbors and friends. The kids and adults enjoyed breaking cascarones (confetti-filled eggs) on each other's heads. The bunny "NaNa" belongs to neighbors Claudia & Benecio...a convenient prop on Easter!

Uptown Super Sunday

Yesterday we went to an annual parade and festivities of Mardi Gras Indians, where all the tribes gather and show off their handmade suits. Tavo is being held by a young member of the Golden Eagle tribe. I'm not sure which tribe the guy in orange belongs to, but Tavo is impressed. We thought we'd share a short video of a small part of the parade, since it is something so interesting and so uniquely New Orleans.

The Mayor and two Ninos

Saturday we were babysitting Tiba and decided to go the Mayor's Easter Egg Hunt in Armstrong Park, a short walk from our house. Baby Nino wanted to take a photo with the New Orleans Hornets cheerleaders. He also wanted one with Mayor Nagin. Nino took advantage of the opportunity and gave the mayor some advice. He told him to do all he can to protect the Mexican workers that are rebuilding our city. Nagin said "we definitely need them, so we're doing what we can."

The final shot is Tavo and Tiba, chomping down on wrapped chocolate eggs. Since they aren't allowed to eat chocolate yet, mama and papa will sacrifice and eat their bucket full of chocolate goodies.

Two Babies in a Box: Tiba and Tavo

Monkey Boy

Here is a video of Tavo climbing the slide. The day before was warmer and he went up and down a slide at Washington park all afternoon, impressing all the kids around. "Look at that baby go up the slide!" But he found it a bit more difficult in the cold weather....we had to take his socks off for a short time so he could show his Papa his spiderman-like moves. He now also goes down slides (smaller ones than the one in the video) head first on his belly, by himself! This was entirely his idea...I was completely surprised. I'll have to get a video of that one to post soon.

Soul Fest

One of the things we love most about New Orleans is all the music festivals in the spring time. This past Saturday we went to Soul Fest at the zoo and we saw the Rebirth Brass Band along with the monkeys and a rhinosaurus. It is a pen that Ninito has in his mouth...that was his object for the day which he refused to let go of all day. Below, Nino and Ninito joined in the Cupid Shuffle, a very funky dance.