Giving us a workout

Since Sophia has learned to ride a bike, it's pretty much all she wants to do. We have spent pretty much any afternoon that is decent enough on the trails with her bike. Erick and I have both been without bikes for years because while Sophia didn't know how to ride it wasn't something we could do very often. 

All that is going to have to change. Even though she's a beginner, she is fast. Erick and I are both completely worn out from following her around Forest Park on foot. The picture below was taken at the end of a couple of hours of riding for Sophia and walking for us. Erick actually won this race because Sophia was so exhausted from all the peddling, and the little grade in this hill was enough to do her in.

So, if you have a bike you love, let us know what kind it is. If you have a bike you never ride, let us know how much you want for it. 

NOLA Knockdown

This is the Jackson square - in my opinion one of the most beautiful places in new orleans next to the the foggy river and the very beautiful colored buildings, which I got to see in person. Like I said one of the most beautiful places in new orleans. I love new orleans so much. There is a beautiful line of shops right by the back gate of the Jackson square. In front of the Jackson square where this picture was taken on the steps. There is a dance group that performs there call the Master Dragon Showcase. They are what they call an acrobatic break dancing group. If you donate $ 20.00 they will give you a DVD of them performing. It was pretty cool.

You know new orleans just makes you so happy you have to smile. BIG! I mean real big. So big it makes the person next to you laugh, and trust me it will spread from face to face. And if you see it happen it will make you smile even bigger.

NOLA has so much to offer. Like great food, big parks, nice people and an aquarium. Great job new orleans. How can you get any better. Guess what the aquarium has in it SHARKS! This shark is a sand tiger shark with super sharp teeth. There were people in there cleaning the tank. Well actually there was only one person cleaning the tank. The two others had colored sticks to poke the fish and sharks away from the person cleaning so she wouldn't get hurt.

So much good food in new orleans. But the menu at ernst cafe really surprised me. I will bet you think this is chicken but it is not. Guess again. Yes you are right it is alligator. It was surprisingly delicious.

See isn't the river beautiful? Well I think it is one of the most beautiful things in new orleans. I love the way the clouds look so close to the water.



I hope you get to experience the wonders of new orleans like I did.



Written by
Sophia Monroe Creach

Just Like Riding A Bike

Sophia had one goal for Spring Break, and she's already accomplished it. Here she is on an early voyage.

Spring?

Last week was not a banner week for us Creaches. It began with Erick getting a stomach virus and ended with Sophia recovering from it. I nearly passed out somewhere in the middle. Good times.

So, this weekend we took it easy but took it outside. I can't remember ever being quite so thrilled to open the windows. To Sophia, spring means poking around. It always has. Evidence. This winter, we've had a lot of fun with ice. I sincerely hope we've had the last of it for quite a while.

It's our first spring with Leo. It would be an understatement to say that he loves it. It would be accurate to say that he would prefer to spend each and every moment outside, but we do what we can. There are so many lovely things to look forward to as the weather warms up.

Our family walks have resumed in the evening. Last night, we watched as ducks flew in by the pair to settle in for the night. It was quite lovely. Leo would probably have a different description, but we all enjoyed it.

First Sledding on Art Hill

Now that we've been, it's hard to believe that it took us until our fifth winter here to sled down Art Hill. We used all the usual excuses of crowds and cold, not to mention the fact that we have a more than passable sledding hill at the bottom of our street.

It's true that it was crowded. More than a little crowded. It was packed. Heaving with kids, teens and adults at some stage of getting up the courage either to push off down the hill or make the long trek back. That's the thing about a long hill. It's a lot of fun until you're walking up.

As soon as we arrived, Sophia hopped on and took off down the hill. We shouted after her the reminders of "Roll off if you're about to hit someone!" She made it just fine.

Then we took turns joining her on the sled. I loved going down that hill so much! It really is a test of skill and courage to weave between the crowds and the sleds, dodging and twisting. It's even more fun if you can still have some speed built up when you hit the hay bales at the bottom.

I still love our neighborhood hill. We will definitely spend most of our sledding time there, where we are free to stop in the middle and throw snowballs or wrestle. But I don't plan on letting another winter pass by without taking part in this exhilarating St. Louis tradition.