Jazz Fest 2008

Today could have turned out so differently! We woke up to the darkest morning sky I've ever seen. The clouds were insanely black and lightning and thunder were continuous. The news reported hail and tornadoes nearby. Luckily it was only 9AM and Jazz Fest doesn't start until 11:30 each day. Miraculously, all precipitation cleared out right around 11AM. The fairgrounds were a mess though, and most people we saw at Jazz Fest wore rubber boots. Not a bad idea considering how much mud Lehr, David and I picked up on our feet. My back is killing me from carrying Eli most of the day, but that seemed a better alternative then letting him get muddy in the horse park mud (think about what is in that mud, people!).

Maddux was able to get a decent morning nap before we left, while Eli took to the swimming pool to pass the time. Given that extra activity I have NO idea how he made it the whole day without napping. Fest is quite entertaining, but he was up at 8:15 (early for him) and it was a very very full day.

We started out with some food and a brass band. Eli loved seeing the music and he danced around pretending to play trombones and guitars. After that, he moved to drums and stuck there most of the day. His hands were never without two straws that he used as drum sticks for his 'air' drum set. Maddux seemed to take all of the sights and sounds in stride also. She napped a short while during the fest, but most of the time she was looking around and entertaining other people. Maddux ate (and liked) her first veggie red beans and rice while Eli had his first beignet.

We stayed until the end of fest, which put us back to the hotel around 7:45. Maddux played a little in her crib, but Eli barely made it through his stories and prayers before he fell asleep in the pack-n-play. Minutes after Lehr left his room he went back in to video (with full lights on) Eli snoring with his blanket. I bet I can guess what he dreamt about tonight!