Happy Mardi Gras & The Krewe of Eve

For those of you who might not know, it's Mardi Gras season here in New Orleans. That means parades! Now, if you're really unfamiliar with all this then let me explain. For a few weeks leading up to Mardi Gras different clubs, or "Krewes" hold their parades. The parades are held in and around New Orleans. Last night we went to the Krewe of Eve parade in Mandeville, just a few miles down the road from where we live. And trust me, I know what your thinking, but that "kind" of Mardi Gras usually only happens in the French Quarter...these parades are a very family oriented affair.

Given that Jake was so little last year we didn't attend any so this was his first parade, and as you can see from the pictures, it was quite cold. Very cold in fact.


But not to worry...Jake had his "Michelin Man" jacket on with some very warm mittens. In fact, I think he may have been the warmest of us all.


These Krewes throw out all kinds of trinkets...beads, cups, doubloons, and toys. And of course, stuffed animals. Well, that's all Jake needed to hear.

As the night wore on I think Jake started to realize the benefit of being absurdly cute and the Krewe of Eve being made up entirely of women.

All in all, I think he had a blast. We cleaned up on beads (Want some? Let me know and I'll ship them to you...trust me, I have 4 or 5 HUGE Tupperware containers full of them.) Jake got tossed about 10 or 11 stuffed animals and I think, despite the cold, had a wonderful time. We're looking forward to Orpheus, and maybe going to one of the super-krewes (it's a HUGE parade) like Endymion next weekend.