Papa's 90th Birthday

One of the few good pictures with Tali.

My favorite picture.

Tali eating the bread brought for the ducks.

Tali asking for some of Aunt Ilana's drink.



The goose that crashed the picture.

This past weekend we celebrated Papa's 90th birthday. Tali had a great time at the family events.

On Saturday, we had brunch at Commander's Palace, one of the best restaurants in New Orleans. Tali tried many new foods and enjoyed them all. She had garlic bread for the first time and couldn't get enough! Tali ate pancakes, which she liked once I added syrup, and she sampled my bread pudding - yum! But her favorite food was ice cream. Although she had never seen or eaten it before, she knew it was something good from the moment they put the bowl on the table. Tali was playing on the floor when the bowl was set down and she immediately ran over to her spot to sign for help and that she wanted to eat (yes, she's smart enough to make baby sentences at 16 months - as long as they involve food). Then she went to the corner to try and climb in her high chair! We put her in, strapped on the bib and Tali was in heaven. She loved the vanilla ice cream with strawberries.

Between courses at Commander's a group of musicians came in to the room to perform. Tali enjoyed the music and particularly loved the double bass. The first time they played, I walked her over to the bass and placed her hand on it to feel the vibration. The next two times they came into the room, she walked over to the bass herself. She had such a great time at Commander's and was very well behaved for the entire three hours.

On Sunday, Papa's actual birthday, we went to the park for family pictures. Tali wasn't so cooperative for the pictures as there were many more interesting things to see and do. About halfway through she told me she was hungry and thirsty. Since I was unprepared (bad Mom!), she had some ice from Aunt Ilana's iced coffee drink and some bread that Aunt Sue had brought to feed the ducks. Tali chased the ducks, walked up and down the steps, pet the dogs, played in the grass and dirt, and tried to take a swim in the water. She had a blast!