Like I've said a thousand times before, my children's music 101 lessons often happen when my kids are strapped safely in their car seats in the back seats of our minivan.   This is the perfect place because they have no choice but to listen to me ramble on about the importance of real rock-n-roll and the significance of Jimmy Page's guitar solo in Whole Lotta Love...

So this past Saturday I'm laying in bed “relaxing” with Emmylou and Joseph when in walks Luke perplexed and a little worried asking, “Mom, is it St. Patrick's day today?”   “No.” I replied.   “Oh, THANK GOD!” he answered with a sigh of relief.   Not knowing the dangers or the doom that is St. Patrick's day, I quickly asked, “Why are you so worried about St.Patrick's day?”...

Here's what Mardi Gras morning looks like.   AND...

One of my favorite things about Mardi Gras (other then King cake, great music and booze) are these:

If you have school aged kids, you have undoubtedly made the birthday party circuit.   For those of you who don't presently have school aged kids, but plan to one day, enjoy your friend's adult parties where jello shots and pin the tail on the naked guy who passed out on the couch are acceptable activities because you'll soon be trading them in for fun jumps and cheap pizza.   Anyhow, one thing that I had not given much thought to before now where....wait for it....PARTY FAVORS!

Luke,   Today we are celebrating your 5th birthday.   5 years ago today we were welcoming YOU....our very first baby boy.   When you decided to finally come into this world there was no stopping you. The nurses had to rush in any doctor they could find in the hall because you couldn't wait to see this whole new world.   Even then you were fearless.   We named you Luke Allen Cash Falgout. Your father wanted to name you Cash, but your more prudish, conservative mother was not quite sold on the idea. Besides, Luke was easier to pronounce in French. You'll thank me later when you're in France hitting on a gorgeous Parisian woman.   So we compromised by using Cash as your middle name.   We also added Allen. That is your great-grand-father Falgout's name. He would have gotten a kick out of talking horses with you in French.   Out of a bazillion great-grand kids, you are one of only 3 Falgout men left in the family. No pressure.   You are one of the kindest, sweetest, most sensitive boys I know and although you might get frustrated with those traits later in life, remember we can never run away from the essence of who we are. Embrace it. Cherish it.   Who YOU are is enough.   You have only walked this earth for 5 years yet somehow you often seem so much wiser then my 30.   Thank you Luke for showing me that wearing your heart on your sleeve doesn't have to be so scary.   Thank you Luke for reminding me that kindness, in it's simplest forms, brings out the best in people.   Thank you Luke for reminding me that risk taking is indeed a virtue.   Thank you Luke for always finding your father's keys when he “misplaces” them.   I look forward to watching you grow, change and experience life in your own way.   To my sweet Luke...I love you always.   Bonne fête.