Columbia Field Trip

I was so thankful to get picked as a chaperone for Bonner's trip to Columbia.  Ian's class went on the same day so that was good.  We left at 7:15 a.m. and took a charter bus to Columbia - starting at the State House.  It was a great tour and brought back memories of my going there many moons ago!

Bonner in the SC Senate

Bonner & Lilian in the SC House of Representatives

We toured the monuments outside the State House and I just loved this picture of the State House with the Palmetto tree in the front.  The stars on the State House indicate where the original state house was hit by cannons during the Civil War.  Of course, the girls loved being together to tour and learn.

After stopping at the State House, we headed over to the SC History Museum which was really interesting!  We ate lunch first and then went exploring throughout the museum!

Look who we finally ran into?

Girls learning how the railroad has impacted transportation and SC!

Bonner looking at the sun through a giant telescope!

Summer Haircut

Bonner was excited to get her hair cut today for the summer!  It was so funny because I snapped a couple of pictures of her to send to Gigi and Joyce.  But then I had pictures taken on Bonner's phone pop up - apparently, she needed a selfie of the new 'do!

Belle at the Lake

This dog is so sweet ... she loves snuggling in this super soft blanket we have at the lake and thoroughly enjoys a sunset cruise on the boat!

I love this picture - it looks like she is looking up at the moon!

The kids were with their dad this weekend so Belle "wrote" them this haiku as she looked at the moon and I emailed it to them:

I see the same moon
And I think of you both!
I love you so much!

Super Fun Weekend

It was an awesome weekend enjoying the pool and getting some things accomplished!

Friday after school, the kids couldn't get into the pool fast enough!  Of course, it was still a little chilly so they decided to "ride around" for a few minutes before jumping in!

Earlier in the week, Bonner decided that she wanted to rearrange her room and take down her bunkbeds!  Needless to say, we got up Saturday morning ready to accomplish it!

THE "BEFORE"

and THE "AFTER"

Opens it up so much and gives her some serious wallspace now!  We are excited to get all of her artwork hung up now!

On Saturday, after working hard that morning, the kids enjoyed playing in the pool until night time when we had to get out for some rain.  Of course, "singing in the rain" is just as fun as "swimming in the rain" apparently!

On Sunday, Bonner wanted us to go get a pedicure together.  She has had a pedicure before; but, never with me so I was excited to be able to take her.  She even got a manicure and promised "if I can get a manicure, mom, I won't bite my fingernails anymore!"  Fingers crossed she can keep that promise!

Chorus, Drum Club, and Ukelele Tryouts

They made it!!

Bonner tried out for Chorus and Uke-Crazy (Ukelele) Club and she made both!  She sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in High G (thanks to Katy Davidson and a couple of voice lessons) and then picked up the Ukelele for the first time ever to try out ;-)  She was so proud of herself and she should be!

Ian wanted to try out for the Drum Club and he was 1 of 9 selected so he was super excited.  He will learn to play the bongo drums in the club and is very excited about the opportunity!  Unfortunately, none of his friends made it, but it will just be a chance to meet new friends!

Super proud of them both for even trying out!

Calvin & Hobbes

Ian found a Calvin & Hobbes book at the library and loved it - in fact, he did a pretty good job of drawing them!!

New Playground at Oakview

After the PTA GMM and Choral Concert tonight, we dedicated the new playground!  It has been a yearlong project and looks so good!

Bonner is sitting on the climb-up (near the stairs) and Lilian is standing right behind her.  Ian & Spencer are on the far-right sitting in the mulch!

Pigeon Forge, TN - Day 3 & 4

On Saturday, we woke up to an overcast, rainy sky, but that didn't stop us.  We found another yummy place to eat breakfast and then we went on a shopping spree - to find Barrett a carved bear!  And the first place we stopped was also a magic shop ... and the kids were in awe!  They learned lots of new tricks and even came away with some of their own!  I loved watching them be entertained and then find a way to entertain us!

We also found the carved bear so Barrett was happy.  Ian found a handmade wooden ping pong ball launcher so he was in heaven!  Once we got back home, the girls got right in the hot tub while Ian made sure his launcher could shoot!

The girls spent a while trying to get their magic tricks nailed down!

That night, we got dressed up to go to the Peddler in downtown Pigeon Forge.  There are only 3 Peddler locations - 1 in Spartanburg, 1 in Greenville and 1 in Pigeon Forge.  It is Barrett's favorite place to eat so he had already picked it out before we left Greenville!

These 2 are just precious and I am so thankful they are good friends!

On Sunday, we got up, packed up and hit the road.  The girls were resting in the back seat before we got down the mountain!  Of course, Ian had plenty of energy!  It was a terrific trip and while I am sad to not be at the beach next weekend, I am thankful for the time we got together and the memories that we made!

Pigeon Forge, TN - Day 2

We got up early and hit the windy mountain road from our cabin to get to Dollywood; but, of course, we first had to stop to carb up for breakfast!

Lo and behold, we rounded a bend in the road and there was a black bear perched up on a mountain.  I was thankful we were all tucked in the Yukon!

Girls were ready to devour some pancakes at Smoky's Pancake Cabin!

Dollywood opened at 10 a.m. and we were there about 9:30.  We got parked pretty close since it was Friday and not real crowded!  The girls rode everything that went upside-down, inside-out, and loop-to-loop.  Ian and I rode the first roller coaster; but midway through it, I looked over at him and he was looking a little peaked so he sat the rest of the coasters out!  We did enjoy the log ride together and loved seeing all the mountain workers - like the blacksmiths, the glass blowers, and the leather tanners - at work.  Barrett ended up buying a poker for the new outdoor fire pit and I found a hot pink hand-made leather belt that I loved!  Kids spent their money on stuffed bears!

I have never been this close to a bald eagle! So beautiful!

"Big guy in a little car!"  These 2 together make my heart melt!

This ride was the Wild Eagle and you basically hung there (like Ian is below) and then you go up, up, way up to come down ... real fast!  Girls loved it and rode it twice!

I only rode one ride, the Mystery Mine, and it went straight up and came straight down - no exaggeration at all when I say STRAIGHT UP and STRAIGHT DOWN ... and it did it twice!  Barrett and Ian heard me yell "Is it over yet?" as we came shooting out of the dark "mining tunnel".  Too funny!

We headed back to the cabin and the boys got "right to work"!