Delta Snow

Did I mention it is hot? And where do you take your kids when it's hot in Indianola? Delta Snow, of course!

I couldn't wait for the snow cone stand to open every summer. It was called Xan's Summer Snow in the 80's.

Sam ordered a rainbow snow cone and wanted me to pick him up so he could see it being made.

Happy little boy with a rainbow snow cone.

Ben loved the snow cone and my arms were barely long enough to keep him from knocking it out of my hands.

Sitting in the shade of our swagger wagon. (Check out the cute matching Mississippi State outfits.)

Blue mouth, anyone?

Mississippi Magnolias

One of my favorite things to do when I was growing up in Mississippi was climbing magnolia trees. The one in my Nanner's front yard was one of my favorites because they never trimmed the bottom branches. I couldn't wait to show Sam.

This is Nanner and Dorsey's house and that is the magnolia tree on the left.

This tree is HUGE! It's nothing like the puny little magnolias that people plant in their flower beds in Texas.

And nothing smells like summer more than magnolia flowers.

At first Sam didn't believe that we could get through the bottom branches.

I showed him how to get in and he was amazed at the magical hideout behind the branches. He ran in and out and around the tree, climbing over and under branches.

Since Sam loves his climbing wall, I thought he'd take to climbing trees naturally, but he did not really understand. I helped him climb up about six branches, and that's when I realized I'm a country girl raising a city boy.

The leaves were at least six inches deep under the tree. Nanner used to pay us to rake out the leaves from under the tree. I'm not sure who the last person was to try, but we found this old wheelbarrow hidden under the tree.

Back inside, we've had lots of fun playing with Ben and Sam on vacation.

Ben is feeling a lot better and is laughing a lot.

He loves it when Daddy tickles him.

Me too, Daddy, me too! Tickle me!

Happy Birthday to Me

We are in Indianola for my 35th birthday. It's still hot, but it's not so bad in the shade. We had a wonderful lunch of Bayou bread, salad, Catfish Allison, and chess pie at The Crown.

The boys could really get used to all of these wide open green spaces.

Nanner got Ben this adorable outfit.

St. Augustine feels quite different than Bermuda.

Behind the scenes ... wiping Cheeto schmutz off of Sam's face ... Ben really wants me to pick him up.

What else would we have for my birthday dinner than Nanner's spaghetti and meatballs? Mine will never taste like hers.

Yes, Sam, that's exactly how I feel about them too!

Recharged the red - our little tomato head.

Saying Good-Bye is Hard to Do

We packed up and left the coast on Tuesday. It was so hard to say good-bye. The boys loved spending time with their Yiayia and Papou. Hopefully it won't be so long until the next visit.

Tractor Ridin'

Sam loved Papou's tractor. He would have wanted to ride it for hours if it wasn't so stinkin' hot. Here are some of the pictures Chris took of them together riding the tractor ...