Today we planned to take a break from the Titanic theme. Instead, we were going to branch out to a larger water theme by stopping by Wet N’ Wild with some friends.
It does happen to be Monsoon season in Vegas and as I was driving to Wet N’ Wild a flash flood warning came over my phone. Still the dark and looming clouds seemed to be well to the Northwest of the park. So, I decided NOT to call my mom friend (known known as Monsoon Mom) to call off the outing. That was a mistake.
When we arrived the water park was temporarily shutdown. According to Monsoon Mom, who has season passes to Wet ‘N Wild, this kind of thing often happens and the park frequently reopens in a few minutes.
We walked over to a near by park and allowed the kids to play for a few minutes. Then it started to HAIL! Yes, hail!
We stayed under a picnic shade structure for about 30 minutes and then finally made a run for it as the deluge slowed.
he asked if that was the original version. How funny…
before we started the down south adventure. The film remains an American classic for a number of reason– least of which is the amazing score and the fact it was one of the first full-length feature films. I know some people take issue with it’s portrayal of slavery and it’s treatment of marriage, but I still like like. And, even-though I like her, Scarlet is a bit of a nut!!! Like so many works of historical fiction, IT’S NOT ACCURATE… The Professor who actually teaches Southern Film, is also more than welcome to comment.
Now back to our trip to Oak Alley. I was surprised to learn that it was NOT a cotton plantation, but rather a sugar plantation. That makes total sense, since the French did a lot of sugar farming in the Caribbean. Why wouldn’t they do the same thing in their Louisiana territory? But, I am too far into the stereotype that all plantations are cotton.
Walking into the dinning room the kids and I had no idea what was hanging over the table. The guide quickly informed us that it was a large fan. A slave child about 8 years old would have stood in the corner and pulled a rope to make it move back and forth.
Inside it was decorated to look like the mid-1800s. All nothing remains of the original furniture. There are four pieces original to the house all related to the this bedroom.
Anyone who knows me, knows I cannot pass up a chance to stare at a little creature. The Captain spotted this one as were walking around the plantation’s second story terrace. The kids were really amazed by this little guys blazing green color.
which features lots of fairies including one that shares The Princess’ name. To top it off we watched Epic 
which takes place on the Summer Solstice, but doesn’t actually involve fairies.
Next, we made mini baseball caps together. We made two sets of 9 caps each, enough to field two fairy teams. Cinco and I like the blue cap best because they remind us of the KC Royals.
This year the kids wanted to go with more of a nature theme and he decided to create a cave for the fairies. He covered the entire outside of the cave with stones.
The house was lovingly created from an old Go-gurt box. Rocks and shells added to the nature theme. The fairies also have an outdoor picnic area complete with mushrooms for stools.
and Cinco got a sports inspired quidditch necklace 
. These are sprinkles commonly eaten in Holland, and were inspired by our trip this summer to see The Dutchman. I haven’t had these since I was in grade school… and personally, I am looking forward to eating them as well.
Start by cutting out a bill for your cap. Hot glue it to the bottle cap.
Glue a medium pom-pom to the top of the bottle cap. Then carefully cover your hat in duck tape taking care not to tape down the pom-pom too much or you baseball cap will look more like a civil war officer’s hat.
A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne. It is from the Magic Tree House series, a great early chapter book. Although Cinco finds the reading rather easy, I like having them read the book together. The take turns each reading a chapter. Best of all, the Magic Tree House webite offer lesson plans that support each book. We did the one for 
Things started out well enough. Good Food for starters. We had to introduce Cinco and The Princess to the world famous Bienets at Cafe Du Mond. Yum…
off for a riverboat cruise on the Natchez. It is one of the last actual steamboats operating in the US. Other boats look like a steamboat, but they are electrical like the Creole Queen.
After dinner at Pat O’Brien’s, we took the children to hear a little jazz preformed by the Preservation Hall Jazz band. The set only lasts 45 minutes but it’s worth every second. We reserved advance tickets in the 2nd row
The Booky Mom 
