Carolina Livin': March 2009

Kids in Architecture Day

>> Monday, March 30, 2009

This past Saturday Matthew attended the Kids in Architecture Day at the Columbia Museum of Art. It was a full day event from 9 - 4 and was put on by American Institute of Architects. The day consisted of touring some of the art in the museum, time to practice sketching in their sketch books, a presentation on Chinese box kites, and designing and building their own kites.

Matthew loves art and building so this was a perfect day for him. Not to mention they gave the kids a free pizza lunch!

SHE MADE IT!

On Saturday, March 14th Alyssa auditioned for TRIDAC. TRIDAC is the Tri-District Arts Consortium. Each summer they offer three weeks of intensive training in several areas of the arts. You have to be nominated and then go for an audition. The audition for dance consists of taking a one hour class, performing a one minute solo and completing an interview. Alyssa's dance teacher from school nominated her and one of our neighbors helped her choreograph a solo. She practiced and practiced and practiced that solo!!!!

Alyssa and Danielle were given the same audition time. Here they are heading in to see the judges.

The letter we received last week said, "Congratulations, you have been selected to attend the 2009 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program. There were almost 500 students who auditioned, with only 40% being selected. This makes your selection a special honor."

Congratulations Alyssa, you gave it your best and YOU MADE IT!

NANA AND PAPA CAME TO TOWN!

>> Sunday, March 29, 2009

On Friday, March 20th Nana and Papa flew into Charlotte. We picked them up at 3:30 and our whirlwind of a week began!

While they were here we went to Aviator Idol, three soccer games, the library, James Island, Charleston, Charlestown Landing, RIverbanks Zoo and gardens, countless garden centers and nurseries, the ALERT birthday bash, Ethan's preschool, and one day they took an excursion to Myrtle Beach. We sure did pack as much into one week as we could!

Papa, Ethan, Alyssa, Matthew and Nana at Charlestown Landing

Nana and Alyssa on the beach. It was a beautiful day, but MUCH too windy!!!

Feeding the Lorikeet's at the Riverbanks Zoo

Ethan and Papa feeding the giraffe

Usually when we go to the zoo the bears are curled up and sleeping comfortably. Not on this day. They gave us the best wrestling show ever!

Visiting the gardens at the zoo

Yummy crab dinner!

Matthew and Ethan before the ALERT birthday bash. Round Top's chorus sang for 800 people at the event

Round Top Elementary Chorus

Alyssa with her friend Jessica and principal, Mrs. Tucker

Papa spent much of the week planting flowers and bushes. I can't wait to see what they will look like this summer!

Ethan spent much of the week helping Papa plant

Wow, what a great week, but it ended much too quickly! Thanks for coming and helping us as much as you did! We're already looking forward to your next visit!!

We love you and miss you!

AVIATOR IDOL

>> Saturday, March 28, 2009

Friday, March 20th was the AVIATOR IDOL. Every year Round Top Elementary has a Talent Show and every year it gets harder to get in to. This year there were 75 auditions for 25 spots. Alyssa and her best friends, Danielle, Maddie and Jessica put together a band called DJAM 04 and tried out. They had so much fun getting together to practice and choreograph and all of their hard work paid off.

They made it!!!

The evening was full of really great acts, but none quite as good as DJAM 04!

The girls' performed Pat Benetar's HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

At the very end of their act they built a pyramid with Maddie on the top. Unfortunately, Maddie slipped and came crashing down on her arm. She held herself together until the end but was rushed to the Emergency Room right away. Good news is nothing was broken, bad news is it was an elbow contusion and it was quite painful.

Alyssa was excited because Nana and Papa flew into Charlotte on Friday afternoon and got into town just in time to watch her perform!

GREAT SHOW GIRLS!

YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB!

SURPRISE from MA

Last Thursday night, Dave's sister Kristen, called to say that she was on I 95 south!!! They were on their way to Florida for the weekend and said if they had time, they would stop by in the morning (who drives to FL from MA for the weekend you ask.... Kristen and Tim of course!!! :)

After driving 13 hours overnight they arrived at our house around 9 on Friday morning. Kristen and I went and signed Alyssa and Matthew out of school early and we enjoyed a great lunch together at Olive Garden. It was a quick visit, but so so great to be able to see them. By 3:00 Friday afternoon they were back in the car and headed to Orlando.

THANKS SO MUCH Tim, Kristen and Ryan for "stopping by!"

Come back for dinner next weekend!!

THE SKATEBOARDING KID

>> Sunday, March 15, 2009

Matthew loves to go to the skatepark, but life is always so busy, he doesn't get there as often as he'd like. This weekend was cold and rainy out and there were no soccer games on the schedule so he had two opportunities to go skateboarding.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves, because if I try to explain what he's doing I will get the lingo all wrong...

RIVERBANKS ZOO

>> Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Ethan and mommy went to the zoo today. It was a perfect day to be outside. The sun was shining and it was in the 80's. Oh how I love spring!!!

We originally went to see the new baby giraffe, but we weren't able to because she is sick. Maybe next time! Good thing there's lots of other animals to see at the zoo!

He thought it was so funny to pull the lions tail

Ethan used to be very nervous about feeding the birds, but I guess that's because he was 2. Now that he's 3, he loved it and was so proud of himself!

This Emu followed us as long as he could. Poor guy, even Ethan said he was ugly.

Checking out the ELEPHANTS

MEERKAT

We watched the bird show

These guys are beautiful, but boy do they STINK!

I love the way Ethan says penguin. No matter how hard he tries it always comes out as painpain... too cute!

Ethan was EXREMELY concerned about the well being of this turtle. He couldn't believe that they would put him in the same tank as a crocodile. Everyone knows crocodiles will eat turtles!!

Another fun day with Ethan. I know it seems like he's the only one I take pictures of or do anything with, but it's because the older two are in school all day. Summer will be here soon and we'll be back to exploring all together. In the meantime, I will enjoy the time I have with Ethan all to myself!