Sunday we did our best to run out to the hotel pool between thunderstorms, hoping for a better day Monday. Nourishment was necessary however, and after a batch of fish 'n chips we stumbled upon the Walter Anderson museum of Art and community center. This Walter Anderson was a hit. Most of the paintings and sculptures were candy colored, depicting scenes from children's stories and fables. Not too bad for a rainy day activity, even if a certain young one wanted to touch every sculpture in the place.

We did fare better Monday with fun in the sun. Walks on the beach in Biloxi, searching for anything, and cleaning up trash, led us to want to play in the water. Sandcastles and several sand holes later, we opted for the hotel pool again and a big treat for dinner at the Phoenician. Wynne quickly (and not so quietly) reminded me of why it is that I do not opt for fine dining with the youngsters in tow (and no husband to join in the festivities.) Wynne's manners eluded him when the server asked if the falafel and tabouli salad suited him. He responded with,"No, not so good. This stuff is too spicy and I don't like tomatoes. I would like a burger with a square cheddar cheese on top please." Lucky for me, the waiter arrived with a bowl of french onion soup that Wynne deemed "his favorite soup ever."

Monday also proved fruitful in securing a volunteer position with an organization based out of New Orleans, LA. The Gulf Restoration Network, an organization devoted to preserving and protecting the gulf shores from Louisiana to Florida. I was elated. This was the reason we headed down to the Gulf in the first place. All this other touristy stuff was entertaining and economically helpful to all these fine gulf towns, but I was, after all in search of helping others. (Even if they didn't want my help.) This all boiled down to making a trip to New Orleans the next morning.

Now, I love New Orleans. It is an amazing, colorful, interesting and active place. Bryce and I got married there, after all. I just didn't really want to go there with my kids and no one else to share the experience with. Driving the tiny streets with trolley cars and people zigzagging every which way was not at all enticing to me. I did, in fact, turn onto trolley tracks, heading straight for a trolley until I realized there was a lane right next to it just for cars. Well, how about that! Whew! The boys were quite taken with the idea of yard long snow cone slushy drinks and demanded that we go get one until I reminded them that this was a treat for grown ups and that if I did share one with them, we'd all be in the slammer.

Instead, we checked out the Aquarium, the IMAX, checked into a hotel that was not fond of the fact that I had two diminutive people accompanying me and rode the trolley all the way down St.Charles Ave. This I do not understand. We spend all day in the car and my kids get out of the car wanting to do nothing more than sit on a trolley car for the next hour. They were enthralled with the colorful homes and buildings all around, the carriages, the riverboats and all the music. It wasn't so bad.

The next morning we were serenaded with music in the French Quarter while we dined at Cafe Du Monde, sharing powdered sugar dust with all who came near our table. We left with Wynne resembling a snowman and Henry looking like the boy who built him. At least this way they were tough to lose. They were stuck to each other and moved slower thanks to that fine powdered sugar paste. One more trolley ride later we arrived at the Insectarium, a museum all about insects. This was interesting and interactive, complete with a bug cafe. Yes, that is chocolate covered crickets, ant dip, worm cheese spread. Enticing.

A mere 5 hours later we were back in Cleveland, MS visiting our good friends, The Green Family once again. We were just in time to welcome the graduate, Tony Green, home from his final day of high school. Congrats to Tony and good luck next year at Mississippi State.

Before we left this time, the boys made sure they had Edye practicing daredevil tricks on the skateboard, broke branches climbing the Magnolia tree in the front yard and landed a frisbee on the neighbor's roof. Ahh.... So little time, so much to destruct. Perhaps its best we do not have a home of our own at the moment.

The next morning we were off on a mission to see dad! Hooray! Just 6 more hours of driving and we're there!

And here we are. Back in St. Louis, but not for long. It is always nice to get spoiled by Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Marian when we get the chance. Even Great Grandpa along with Frank and Jerry may get to spoil a bit as we visit for the next couple of days. As Bryce heads one direction, we'll go another. We will keep you in the know right here.

We are still keeping track of the oil spill thanks to all those great folks down there in the Gulf, so keep up with us at www.gulfgoocleanup.blogspot.com