Joel's First Mardi Gras

Okay, for some of you guys that might not sound like such a big deal. But for me? I can't even remember my first Mardi Gras (and not because I was too hungover either! Ha!) I can't even imagine life without Mardi Gras! My goodness, what in the world do you do with your time between New Year's and Easter?

Here in Fairhope we have Mardi Gras.

For the Yank friends out there, here is a mini-history lesson for you! Mardi Gras did not originate in New Orleans, but in Mobile, Alabama! Really! (Read more here!) And our little town of Fairhope is just across the Bay from Mobile, so we have Mardi Gras too - a bit safer and more family friendly than either Mobile or New Orleans, thank goodness.

Well, we tried to explain to Joel what Mardi Gras would be like. And he was skeptical - what? People are throwing stuff at us? This is fun? But he went along with it because he knew the girls would like it.

It didn't take very long for Joel to have a complete blast with Mardi Gras and really get into it! And man, did our girls rack up an amazing haul! I don't know what it was - a combination of the right street corner, cute little girls, their pleading puppy dog eyes, or what. But all of the sudden, we were getting pelted with stuff - cups, bead necklaces, little footballs, and stuffed animals. Tons of stuff. And some of those stuffed animals were HUGE!

Oh, and the MOONPIES. Last year, we didn't even get moonpies. I had to go buy some in the store. This year we got a nice little stash of them! Oh, and I tested a few. They passed the "yummy" test, LOL.

We had a massively HUGE garbage filled with stuff that I bagged up to donate (to someone going to be on a float next weekend!) and yet the girls still had a good-size mountain of things they apparently can't bear to live without. I hope it all fits in the car!

So Joel is now converted to a full believer in Mardi Gras fun. It sure is a shame that we are leaving before we can get to any more parades! At least in Spain we can check out Carnival!

Pictures of Christmas, Mendez style

Here is the Mendez Christmas in pictures.

First, we went to Fairhope's annual tree lighting ceremony.

Then, the girls rode on the preschool float in the Daphne Christmas parade.

Yes, I bribed my child to behave with candy.

Then we picked our Christmas tree from the Christmas tree farm,

and decorated "Mommy's" tree,

and the girls' tree. (In their Halloween costumes.)

We hung out at Nana and Papa Joe's house and enjoyed their decorations

And talked Papa Joe into giving us a snack.

Once Daddy got home, we went carolling at a rest home with our Bible Study group.

 

We made Christmas treats.

And we finally put together the gingerbread house.

Christmas Eve, after Santa delivered the presents

And finally, Christmas morning madness.

Special Delivery from Santa

Here is the story of Santa's Special Delivery to the Mendez house.

One Saturday afternoon in December (December 10th to be exact), the Mendez family had a special visitor stop by. Apparently he needed to see if we were being naughty or nice.

Lily, as usual, took her own sweet time warming up to Santa. This was about as close as she got to him for the first 15 minutes or so.

And of course anyone who walks in the front door is Abby's instant new best friend, so the fact he just happened to also be Santa made it extra special exciting.

Abby is whispering what she wants for Christmas

While Lily was trying to decide if she trusted that man in red, Abby took him around the living room and showed off all our decorations - including telling him the whole story about Jesus' birthday.

Lily finally decided Santa must be okay because she remembered we had pictures of Santa when Abby was a baby.

Then, Santa sat down with girls to read "Twas the Night before Christmas.The story is much more interesting when he reads it instead of Mommy.



"Laying his finger on the side of his nose. . ."

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Santa remembered that he had a special gift in the sleigh! His elves dropped it off at our front door . . .

Apparently Santa had seen Daddy waiting at the airport "at work" in Afghanistan, and gave him a lift so Daddy could come home earlier. (I had told the girls Joel wouldn't be home until late that night.) Oh they were so excited!

And poor Santa was chopped liver compared to Daddy coming back. No offense, Santa.

And now all the Mendez family are together again under one roof. Just like we should be.

Hanging out on the couch later. They wouldn't leave Joel's side even to change their clothes.

And all is right in my world again.

There you go. Happy ending and everything. The End.