Riley and I had our turn for a little downtown Greenville field trip excitement.

We headed to the Peace Center for a production of CSI:Live, an interactive mystery-science-forensics theatre experience. All the schools were seated together and since our "school" is so small (hehe) we had stellar box seats in our own private balcony, as if we were royalty. It was cool! The play was interesting and informative and we got a big kick out of it.

Next we shopped around a while in Mast General Store, you know, calculating sales and percentages and doing general math in our heads. We figured that there was a great deal on Keen sandals for all size 7 people - which is unfortunately NOT either of us. So sad! But I did find a crazy good sale on Columbia shirts and used my special craigslist sales money to purchase two shirts and a great bag. (I bet Emma will want it when she sees it.)

Lunch was Riley's choice and she chose Sticky Fingers. I was happy to oblige because Kevin never chooses barbecue places and any meat product slathered in barbecue sauce is a good meat product. Riley actually ate ribs and covered herself in a towel, provided by the restaurant. Turns out, she needed that towel - man, she was a mess!!! (I wish we had pictures of that!)

We found ourselves with time on our hands before our afternoon museum destination opened so we sauntered down Main Street to the Beaded Frog, the grooviest bead bar hidden under the street almost. We both made necklaces and the clasps were these tiny magnets - very clever!

After our beading we drove to Bob Jones University (can anyone believe I drove there on purpose??) and we toured their famous Museum & Gallery. It holds the largest collection of religious art in the United States. Who knew? The art was magnificent actually, with pieces by some very famous names, although Rembrandt is the only name I an recall right now. Riley tried her hand at imitating some of the art work and I choose to write poetry about it instead. I know my limitations. We both decided the early artists really saw everything holy as also sad because every piece just reeked of loneliness or despair or rejection. It was not a joyous collection. Seems ironic, I think.

The day could not have been a better way to spend time with my beautiful eldest daughter.

"A day well spent brings happy sleep." (-DaVinci)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Since moving to Travelers Rest, South Carolina I have enjoyed the privilege of being included in a little something called LOLUNO. Mmmm Hmmmm. LOLUNO. Ladies Of Look Up Night Out.

And it's a good time.

Admittedly, my standards may be low -- any night where a ketchup-y hand does not caress my shoulder at meal time is a Night Out. (No offense meant to the small wonders with whom I live.)

But even if I had highly developed expectations, these LOLUNO experiences would be ranked at the top! Our recent outing involved a trip to Patton Avenue (I think that means something to local residents!) to visit a delectable little place called a CHOCOLATE LOUNGE!!! Who even knew there were such eateries? The French Broad Chocolate Lounge was quaint and aromatic. We sipped liquid truffles - think warm, spicy, rich pudding in a cup - and grazed on various chocolate options. I chose chocolate creme brulee - a word I cannot even spell correctly. What a magnificent combination of fudge-like caramelized goodness. Delicious!!

Apparently, everyone takes a turn at planning these monthly adventures. I don't know where we are going next or what we will be doing ---but I know I will be there and I know it will be a good time!! When my month comes along I think I will feel some heavy pressure to make a great evening - so I welcome all suggestions.

My Daddy is a Giant

This is Piper Finnian's expression every time Daddy comes home. She climbs up in this chair when she hears the dogs bark. She calls Bosco "Bah". She peers out the window, recognizes Kevin's Tahoe, and begins screaming "DAH DAH DAH DAH!" She is his biggest fan.

Lately she has an opinion about everything that is put on her plate and she has decided that green is not a color she would like for her food to be. I always thought I was doing such a nice job of raising such basically unpicky children. And then along comes the Little Willow. Oh my.

She loves her new pink Chuck Taylors. When she greets a new person and she is wearing the Chucks, she stretches her foot out and points at her feet so you will notice her little pink kicks. Riley takes credit for that obsession since Riley makes such a big deal over how cute Piper looks wearing the shoes.

Finn is also in the process of getting a new room because she is going to give her space up for baby Superman. (That's Bergen's nickname for the newest guy.)

Everyone at our house is a big fan of this Piper kid. Riley spoils her with too much attention and sympathy for every fall, sigh, complaint or request. London leads her around all day, chatting with her and asking her questions. Bergen points out life's little details to her and Mosely is in the background saying, "Awww, isn't she so cute?"

Aesop's Fables

Recently two little students who are enrolled in the School of Keigley attended a cultural experience in nearby Greenville.

First, we traveled to the Peace Center and watched Jim West's Aesop's Fables, a fun and interactive puppet/theatre performance that the girls loved - laughing out loud at many scenes. "I liked everything, especially the silly guy who pretended to be Super Puppet," London said. "I liked the giraffe puppet and the dog puppet best," Mosely said.

After the show we headed to Mellow Mushroom to eat pizza slices larger than London and Mosely's heads. And it was some good pizza. We even got to sit on the tall stools since no babies went with us. (Thanks for babysitting, Riley!!)

With full bellies we made our way to the Greenville Museum of Art. We toured the exhibits. London stood amazed before such large works of art. After gazing at the pieces for a while we gathered our clipboards and colored pencils and sat down on the floor to imitate the works we were studying. The girls drew and drew and even wrote some poems about the artwork.

We had such fun experiencing what Greenville culture has to offer us. We enjoyed it so much, in fact, that Riley and I have a similar outing planned for tomorrow and all of the kids have several more plays to attend this season!

The Great Gatsby

Riley and Kevin recently ran in a 5K race in downtown Greenville. They both did great and they both received some cool tech-t-shirts for their efforts. (Plus some cola flavored shot blocks......yuck!)

Riley's photo even made it to the Greenville newspaper's online photo section!