Mardi Gras Madness

We had big plans to take the big guys on Saturday and watch the Krewes of Iris and Tucks before the craziness that ensues for Endymion.  Last year, we made it out with O and he had a blast, but it was quite the experience leaving during all that with a 2.5 year old, a prego wife, and a ladder with a toolbox attached to it.  The weather didn't quite hold out for all that, so we had high hopes for the Sunday day parades.  That didn't quite work out for everyone either.  Long story short, Owen and I ended up heading out with T and Vincent, Josie, and Timmy. 

Well, to say it was crowded is like saying a few people go to Mardi Gras.  We had to manuever our way across the street to the "Sidewalk Side" where we actually could get a spot with Vincent's brother and his family.  This was no small feat but we made it happen.  

Approximately 15 minutes later, Owen was ready to go home.  Wonderful.  Distraction and marching bands and beads and cheering and PB&J sandwiches let him last a long time.  3 parades later, we were still there and not one of us thought we would ever last that long with two 3.5 year olds.  It came down to the fact that we couldn't leave.  There was Okeanos, then Mid-City, and then Thoth (followed later by Bacchus and Endymion back to back).  We misjudged it that Thoth was actually so big.  Float L came passing by and then we saw float #1.  Oh wow.  After asking around, there were 24+ more to come so we had to figure out a way to make our great escape.  Vincent found us an outlet to cross the street and make our way through then entire crowd gathering for Bacchus and a rescheduled Endymion.  Let me paint you a picture:

• Vincent carrying with our wagon on his head (filled with beads) leading the way.
• Timmy behind him with the ice chest on rollers.
• Antoinette behind him with Josie in one arm and Owen in the other.
• Me brining up the rear with a 6ft ladder  

We should have never attempted this.  It was terrible.  Once we made it through the neutral ground and into the street, lovely NOPD decide at that specific time, it was appropriate to blare their sirens forcing everyon to clear a path and get out of the way so they could make a right hand turn in the middle of a sea of people.  Turns out that Owen and Josie had just been put down with their ears basically on the NOPD siren...so both of them had to cover their ears.  Next, one of the bags of beads falls out of the wagon and breaks as Vincent is crossing the street and we are surrounded by people.  We then have to get O and J in the wagon to get the heck out of Dodge.  It was a sight for us, though I'm sure hardly anyone noticed, maybe only a select few who felt the wrath of the wagon, ice chest, or the ladder in their face.  Sorry everyone, and thanks for letting us through.  10 blocks later, we ended up at the car, still intact and ticketless so that was a win. 

After these shenanigans, Antoinette had a few choice looks that basically said...

• Was this really worth it?
• I can't believe we just did that.
• I'm not sure I ever want to do that again.
• Why oh why did we think this was a good idea?

All in all it was fun and the kids had a good time, but Mardi Gras is definitely an ordeal...