Good Times and a Plan for the Future

On June 14, we went out to Baton Rouge to pick up Amelia for a visit with Nana and Paw-Paw while Amy and Darryl moved into another house.  (Hey, didn't we do this last year also?)  We made the eight hour trip over on Friday and made the ten hour trip back on Saturday.  (The traffic was horrendous!)  Amelia is an excellent traveller.  She plays games on the i-pad and amuses herself with whatever toys she has in the backseat with her.  

On the way home we made a necessary stop at Wal Mart for some things Amelia "needed" for going to the beach the next day.  She selected sunglasses, a swim noodle, a swim board, a new beach towel, and last but not least, she spotted a Dora the Explorer sleeping bag that she desperately "needed" for our upcoming camping trip the next week.

Sunday was the perfect beach.  The water was clear and beautiful with gentle rolling waves -- not the kind that knock you down when you least expect it.  Amelia was sporting a new mermaid fin that she was eager to try out.  She LOVES mermaids.

We stayed several hours with most of the time spent in the water because Amelia, just like her mom did, loves the water.

Bubba worked on Monday so Amelia and I went shopping.  I was wondering how that was going to work out, but she was a very good little girl the whole time.  We went to Kohl's because I was looking for a new swim suit -- you know, the kind that makes you look slim and well toned.  Well, I didn't find one even worth trying on, but Amelia found something for me that she was very excited about.  It was a two piece top consisting of a tank top type thing underneath a flowing chiffon flowered top.  Amelia held it up against herself and urged me to buy it because, "Nana, it is just so beautiful!"  I resisted as long as I could, but finally agreed to try it.  Amelia was so excited.  She insisted that this was the perfect thing for me to wear when I'm 80 and we go to New York City together.  (By the way, I'm very flattered that she thinks that when she is 20, going to New York City with her 80 year old Nana would be fun.)

Here you have it!  When I got it on, Amelia said, "Nana, you look so beautiful!"  What would you have done?  I bought it because she loved it.  I think Bubba thought I was crazy because I do not need anything that looks like cruise ship attire.  By the way, I'm taking it back.  It is really not something I would wear, especially in the chiffon.  The important thing is that Amelia thinks she picked out something beautiful for me.









Tuesday we spent time around the house and in the neighborhood while we were loading the trailer for our camping trip to Opp.

Amelia and Paw-Paw sat in the swing with a carton of Blue Bell Chocolate Ice Cream and two spoons.  Isn't that the best way to eat ice cream?  They ate until they finished off the carton.

Then they went down the road to visit our neighbors, Jo and Fletcher.

These dear people have been our friends and neighbors since 1974.  They were like grandparents to Amy.  They attended her piano recitals and her graduation from Samford University.  They even helped us move her stuff to college and back in their van.  So, of course, they love Amelia too.

Amelia enjoyed fishing in the lake behind their house.  She caught two turtles and was just as happy as could be with her catch.

Amelia talked about Archie a lot. She was sweet talking about how she loved him and he loved her.  She is convinced that Archie is seeing Jesus right now. She asked, "Nana, where are Archie's bones?"  I couldn't figure out what she was referring to.  Was she asking to see his grave?  She finally said enough that we realized that she was asking about his "toy" bones that he chewed on and played with.  She determined that he had all that stuff with him in heaven.

We had two days at home before we left to go camping.  Amelia is growing up fast.  She entertains herself well.  We get lots of hugs and kisses.  What a joy she is!

By the way, she wanted to sleep in her new Dora sleeping bag here at the house.  I didn't want her to because I knew that she would be hot.  She insisted that she was cold and that the sleeping bag would keep her warm.  When she got up around 12:30 to get in bed with me, her hair was damp with sweat.  I told her that I knew she would be too hot and she said, "That's okay, Nana.  I like to be warm."  I know that she will enjoy it more in the camper because it does get cold in it at night.  

So many special moments in just two days time -- we are looking forward to our trip to Opp where we will stay for four nights.  There are more good times ahead for sure.