Mardi Gras Madness

I called a friend in Natchez today right at five o'clock to ask if we could do a play date tomorrow while I am visiting home. She said yes but that she had to go as they were waiting for a parade to start.

"A Mardi Gras parade?" I asked excitedly.

"Yes, it is the Natchez, MS Mardi Gras parade. It was supposed to start at five, but they are delaying it for a bit. You should come meet us, we are in front of my husband's office."

I let out a yell to the boys, "Get your shoes, go to the bathroom, we are going to a parade!"
(Ha, ha...hanging out on balconies...Natchez is soo not New Orleans, but they sure looked like they were having fun!)

We were out the door and over the bridge within ten minutes, parked uphill from where my friend was, and we walked the route, not missing a second of the parade, experiencing the charm and hospitality that is Main St. Mississippi.

Because of the cold temperatures and snow that had fallen (but had almost all melted), there were less people out then usual (or so I was led to believe) so there was plenty of room to roam.

As we walked down Main St, the boys yelled, "Throw me something Mister." and much to their delight, they were showered with beads, Moon Pies, and trinkets.


When a handful of beads landed between a young boy and Brennan, I said, "It's okay, there will be more."

The young boy says, "Here you go." and gave Brennan half of what he'd caught.

When an elderly gentleman caught some DumDum suckers, he turns around, sees Jackson, and hands them over.

It was southern hospitality and I loved it. They did not know who I was, where I live, or what I was doing there. They were polite because IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

Sure, that is not how all of the south is, but for those few moments, people seemed to remember their manners and that we are our brother's keeper. They didn't push little ones out of the way so they could catch the "good beads" or get the Mardi Gras cups. Everyone had a good time, and in the end, that is what is really important, a good time...NOT how many beads you caught...even if you DO come home with about 798 strands of plastic gold.

And yes, Brennan has on EVERY SINGLE BEAD that we caught/collected/were given by our friend after the parade. It was so funny to see.

The boys really had fun at the parade and I did, too. I am so glad I thought to call my friend at the moment I did so that the boys (Ethan stayed home with Papa Jeff) could experience a little bit of (what is traditionally a) South Louisiana fun. (Even if we were in west/central Mississippi, nowhere near New Orleans or the wild and crazy Bourbon St.)