Traveling with Mimi
Today’s column was sent to me by Judy Jolly (aka Mimi). Thanks, Judy! Looks like you and Stella had a great time!
I am writing this on Tuesday, Fat Tuesday (and the ending of Mardi Gras) to be exact. Teresa asked me to share my story about my Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans. Of course my main reason for being there was to spend the weekend and share this experience with my granddaughter, Stella. Seeing the fun through the eyes of an almost 3 year old makes it very special!
The weekend before Fat Tuesday in New Orleans is known as ‘Mardi Gras Weekend’. This is when the huge parades really get going and they roll almost all day long and into the night. We began at the 6 pm Friday night parade, which was followed by 3 others. We positioned our family on St Charles Ave and enjoyed all four parades. Friday night ended with the Krewe of Muses, which is an all female Krewe. This was my favorite one with all the ‘throws’ pertaining to women. ‘Throws’ are the items the people riding on the floats fling out into the crowds along the parade route. Each Krewe throws different items relating to their theme, although they all throw huge amounts of multi-colored beads.
The people on this float even threw a few decorated shoes, purses, etc. I was able to grab a shoe covered with silver glitter along with blue and purple feathers! Stella loved it!! The kids all especially love the small stuffed animals, beads and snacks that are thrown. Of course Saturday and Sunday were more of the same. Lots of parades and fun in the crowd. It’s very hard to explain if you haven’t been involved in Mardi Gras! It’s all very family oriented with thousands of kids all around. We were in the Uptown area for the parades, but they have them all over town at different times. I’m sure being in the French Quarter gets a little wilder but New Orleans is a fun place for families. It is certainly enjoying a renewal time with the Super Bowl win and then Mardi Gras!
The amazing thing is to see how most of the children watch the parade from ladders. In New Orleans there are kits to be purchased which makes a wooden box seat that attaches to the ladder top, then an adult stands on one of the ladder rungs behind the children while they sit in the box. It’s great because they are above the crowd and the krewes on the floats fling all the throws to these kids and adults so they can easily help catch their goodies! So much fun to watch! Two wheels are attached to the top of the box, therefore the ladder is turned upside down and wheeled on the street to the parade site. A very cool thing to have for the kids! Stella’s parents painted her ladder with purple polka dots and jeweled fluer de lis on the sides. It grabbed lots of attention since most are not decorated.
In between the parades all weekend we enjoyed visiting with everyone, eating lots of food, and of course just playing and dancing around with Stella! The best part of Mardi Gras weekend to me was being on the ladder with Stella, and watching her excitement and of course playing and dancing around with her. After all, that’s what being a Nana is all about!!!
Judy Jolly
Stella MacLaine Jolly’s Nana..(or as she calls me, Mimi)
Do you travel with your grandchildren? If so, send pictures and details to us at NanaHood. We’d love to hear about your adventures!
One more thing before I go….
The following picture is of a new friend of mine, Christine, and her husband. Christine is the publisher of GRAND Magazine (if you haven’t visited them yet, please do so www.grandmagazine.com). They were in New Orleans a short time ago during Super Bowl weekend. Be sure and read the sign behind them. Aren’t they the cutest GRANDparent’s ever?
