"The WNC Nature Center is a living museum of plants and animals native to the Appalachian region. Our purpose is to increase public awareness and understanding of all aspects of the natural environment of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory experience."

We had a really fun time at my Dad and Mom's. We had BBQ, Baked Beans, Slaw and Corn on the Cob. For dessert we had apple pie and ice cream. How very American!



They each read 45 books or long chapters so they all won all of the prizes. They received:

*Chick-fil-A Icedream coupon

*Pavilion ice skating pass

*Chick-fil-A Kids Meal coupon

*Be Creative paint sheet

*Certificate of Completion

*Toy mini video camera

*Voucher to a Greenville Drive baseball game

A unique way to explore downtown greenville Goodnight Moon is the children’s book that the mice idea came from. As a senior project at Christ Church Episcopal School, Jimmy Ryan proposed the idea of placing the mice downtown for children to hunt. He raised the funding and commissioned Zan Wells, local sculptor, to make the individual mice. A bronzed sculpture of the book and one mouse are mounted on the fountain in front of the Hyatt Regency hotel and the other eight mice are installed along a nine-block stretch of Main Street between the Hyatt & the Westin Poinsett hotels. So, this is what we have planned for today. Then I think we'll find our way down to the Falls Park. Maybe a picnic lunch? If I can pull it all together. We'll see. Have a great day everyone!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had a really wonderful time at Riverbanks Zoo on Monday.

I wish we had gotten there earlier as we didn't get to do everything we wanted to.

We missed several of the presentations, the 3-D movie and we didn't make it to the Botanical Garden.

We DID get to do the main things the kids wanted to do:

1) See lots of neat animals

2) My 2 youngest went on the pony ride. It is expensive ($5 per child) but it was their money and, even though it was a short ride, they did enjoy it.

3) The 2 older kids wanted to do the rock climb. At $3 per child it wasn't so bad. They thought it was very cool!

4) 3 of the kids rode the carousel. $1 per child and really, who doesn't love a carousel?

5) Feed the lorikeets. We only bought 2 cups of nectar ($1 per cup) and I wish I had bought 1 per child. That was really neat.

6) 3 of the kids rode the train. It was $2 per child but my youngest is crazy about choo-choo trains so that was a must.

We are really looking forward to going back sometime soon :-)

Saturday we went to the Greenville Zoo and purchased our Zoo membership. It is $49 for a household membership. It is good for one year and you get all kinds of "perks" with it. One "perk" is being able to visit lots of other zoos for no additional charge.

For me and the kids to go for one day to Riverbanks Zoo it would cost $38.75

Saturday's visit to Greenville Zoo would have been have been $15.00

Total for those two outings would have been $53.75. Since our membership was $49 we've already saved $4.75 :-)

Plus, we can visit our zoo as much as we want for the next year at no additional charge AND visit tons of other zoos or aquariums for free or at a reduced rate.

**Important note here: On the Greenville Zoo and Riverbanks Zoo websites it shows that with the membership you get a 50% discount and not free admittance. I called Riverbanks and they said that the price change will begin in January.**

They do not allow drinks or coolers into the Riverbanks Zoo but there is a picnic area along the Saluda River just outside the entrance to the zoo. We plan to arrive around 1:00 PM so I am packing a picnic lunch to enjoy before we go in.

The kids have been planning out the different things they want to do while were there:


Feed the Lorikeets
10:00am-4:30pm M-F
10:00am-5:30pm Sa-Su
1 Safari Buck*/cup of nectar




Ride the Endangered Species Carousel**
9:00am-4:45pm daily
1 Safari Buck*/ride




Ride a Pony**
10:00am-3:00pm daily
5 Safari Bucks*/ride




Spots & Stripes Railroad
(children's train ride)
10:00am-4:00pm daily
2 Safari Bucks* / ride






Wild Adventures at Riverbanks : 26-ft rock wall and coconut trees (weight restrictions – min. 40 lbs, max. 250 lbs)
10:00am-4:30pm
1 climb - 3 Safari Bucks*
2 climbs - 5 Safari Bucks*

3-D Adventure Theater**

A Turtle's Adventure - Now Showing

Experience beautiful coral reefs and ocean canyons in the mysterious and unpredictable deep-sea world. Join baby turtles on an adventure that includes giant sharks, huge octopuses and frightening sea eels!

The kids all have birthday money and money they earn when they work with their dad. They will use their money for the "extra" attractions listed above and for any "souvenirs" they may want (with moms guidance, of course).

I'll foot the bill for a mid-afternoon drink and snack at the Zoo and then we'll have dinner out before we head back home.

This is a big trip for me. When we go out of town Dad is usually with us, but with this being the week of the 4th our ice business is super busy and he can't go :-( It's just gonna be me and the 4 kids. Still, I think it's going to be great fun.

I'll be taking TONS of pictures and I'll share them later in the week.

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21st Annual Hot Dog Day

Saturday, July 11

10 am to 4 pm

The children and I went to see the FREE summer movie today. It's the first time we have been this summer. We really have a good time when we go. It's the only time we all go to the theater to see a movie because, let's face it, $35.50 to see a movie is NUTS!!! ( (1) $9.50 per adult ticket and (4) $6.50 per child ticket -- $32.50 if we go in the afternoon)

So, back to the FREE movies! They were awesome last year! We were able to buy $1 boxes of popcorn and $1 sodas, too. $8.00 to have a nice snack and see a movie...THAT I can do :-)

HOWEVER....they have now changed the deal. The movie is still FREE. Super! Thanks REGAL!
BUT.... they no longer have the $1 popcorn and $1 drinks. :-(

Have you seen what they charge for popcorn at the movies?



One SMALL popcorn is $5.75! Are you kidding me? I can get a sandwich, fries and a drink for that at Chick Fil A!

A small soda? $4.50! Right! I mean, soda is SOOOO very expensive. It's not like I could go to the grocery store and buy a 2 lt. "name brand" soda for $1.39...oh, wait... I CAN!!!

To be fair, they did offer a "deal". I could get 1 large pop corn and 2 drinks for .... are you ready for this???? $17.00!!!!!

Let's whip out that calculator and do the math (really...these numbers are TOO big for me to crunch in my head).

Do you know how many groceries I can get for $41.00?

Now, I understand that these people are in business to make money. HOWEVER, this is ROBBERY!!!

I have no problem plunking down my $8 for pop corn and drinks. They are still making money. You can't convince me that they lost money on that deal. No way!

But now? They are going to loose my money...about $72 over 9 weeks. Oh, we'll still enjoy the FREE movie, but we won't be buying snacks there. We'll have a hearty breakfast before we go and I'll be glad to feed the kids their fill of pop corn and soda at home!

I realize that I'm not entitled to a FREE movie every week for 9 weeks. I realize they offer this deal and still expect to make money. I totally get it. I'm willing to buy REASONABLY priced snacks...I just don't appreciate being taken advantage of! So, let's forget the FREE movie part and just look at the cost of a regular movie night out.

My kids want to see the movie "Up". That is a full price film. (Better grab that calculator everyone:)

• Every Tuesday we plan to take advantage of the Free Summer Movies. Our local theater plays a FREE kids movie at 10 am. Lots of movie theaters across the country participate. Click HERE to see if there in one in your area.

**NOTE** This year (2009) they DO NOT offer the $1 pop corn or the $1 sodas. They encourage you to sign up for a Regal Crown Card. On Tuesdays you can buy $1 pop corn BUT ONLY WITH A TICKET PURCHASE. It is not valid on the FREE movies. When you go to the snack counter with your card to get $1 popcorn, they will ask you for your ticket stub. You could say "I don't have it" and they may or may not allow you to get the $1 pop corn BUT, in my opinion, that is lying and going against the rules of the card.

• We also participate in the Summer Reading Program at The Greenville Library. As you read books or long chapters you can earn prizes. So each week we will make a trip to the library to check out more books and get our reading list stamped. Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers can participate, too. They also have great activities you can attend if you are a Summer Reader. Just click to see JUNE or JULY activities.

• One of the prizes for the Summer Reading is a free pass to The Pavilion for ice skating. That should be a fun and cool outing.
  

• Vacation Bible School. Our church has a FANTASTIC Bible school for all ages every year and this is an activity we never miss!
  

• This year I've decided not to put up our above ground pool. Instead, I think we'll be visiting our local pool and let them do all the work and pay the water bill... LOL! They have an indoor pool and the cost is $4 for adults and $3 per child. They also have 10 visit passes at a reduced rate.
  

• A "new-to-us" activity this year is the Greenville Zoo. Now, going to the zoo isn't new, but buying a season pass is. Why is that a frugal choice? Click HERE to see how we'll be saving $49.50 +!!
  

• We have one of those free splash fountains in our downtown area near the Reedy River Falls. This is a great outing! We get to walk around in a beautiful park, cross over a gorgeous bridge and cool off in the fountain! If we want to splurge, there is a Spill the Beans right across the street where we can have ice cream!

• We also plan on having Park Days at Poinsett Park.

• Need a park closer to your area? Visit The Greenville County Recreation Website for a list of parks and directions.

• Here's an idea for a frugal, fun outing: Table Rock State Park. Diana Watson from Fox 21 just wrote a post about an outing her family had there. For $4 she, her husband and two children were able to go on a 2 mile hike. They took a picnic lunch to enjoy and for just a few dollars more were able to take a swim in the lake. Sounds like a plan to me :-)
  

• Roller skating is on the "to do" list this summer. We have a rink just a few miles down the road that my grandmother used to take me and my brother to. I'm gonna give them a call and find out the rates and best times to skate with younger kids.

• One of the bowling places in our area has a special $1.00 per game on Sundays. The shoe rentals are $1.00, too. Two games is plenty, so for three kids that would be an outing for under $10 (3 year old won't be bowling with us because...well, he's 3 and that's a lot of work for mom LOL!)

• Oh, and don't forget Chick Fil A Cow Appreciation Day!!! For one day only - the second Friday of July - participating Chick Fil A Restaurants will award a free combo meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to any customer who comes to a Chick Fil A Restaurant fully dressed as a cow. Each kid fully dressed like a cow can request a free kids meal. For more information click HERE.
  

• We are going to give Letterboxing a try this summer. In fact, on our next trip to the Travelers Rest library, we are going to try and find the letterbox that is hidden there.

• Another "treasure hunt" we'll be going on is finding the "Mice on Main". There are 7 bronze mice hidden down main street. You find the clues HERE and follow them to find all the mice.

• One more fun outing is getting FREE Krispy Kreme donuts! How? Well, when you get your child's report card, check it carefully for any "A's". For every "A" your child has earned, they will receive a free donut up to 6 donuts per child! Last year 2 of my children were in grade school and were straight A students. 4 times per year we enjoyed 1 dozen free donuts. I'm already looking forward to those last report cards to come in the mail :-)
  

• A great resource for things to do in the Upstate is Upstate SC Moms Like Me

Check out the list below to see all the fun the Greenville Library has planned for July!

Take note that not all activities are offered at every location and some of them have age requirements. Also, for many activities you must to a registered summer reader to attend. Here is more info on the Summer Reading Program. Be sure to register early because spaces fill up early ;-)

**NOTE** Registration for Reading Therapy Dog begins 1 month in advance. If you are interested in this event be sure to register EARLY!

July Events

Game Day
Thursdays (July 9-30) 3:00p-5:00p
Greer (Jean M. Smith) Branch

Rising 4th-6th graders are invited to socialize with friends and play board games and Nintendo® Wii provided by the library. Call 877-8722 for more information.

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Twilight Tales
Mondays 7:00p-7:30p
Hughes Main Library, Story Room or *Meeting Rooms A-B

All ages welcome. Adults must be accompanied by children. Call 242-5000 x2248 for details.

• July 6 Story Time in a Box
  What kinds of things can you make with a box? Hear stories that encourage creative thinking skills.
• July 13 Eric Litwin*
  Mr. Eric is a guitar-strumming, banjo-picking, story-telling, five-time-national-award-winning, song writing, fun, folksy guy! He’ll perform his new book Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, which will be available for purchase ($18.00) and signing. Must be a registered Summer Reader to attend. Your reading log is your ticket in.
• July 20 The Happy Circus by Becky’s Box of Puppets*
  Enjoy this unusual puppet show that is entertaining for even very young children. Must be a registered Summer Reader to attend. Your reading log is your ticket in.
• July 27 Guess Who?
  Guess who is behind the mask. Children will also make a mask of their own to take home.

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Tie Dye Party! 3:30p-4:15p Outdoors Spray a beautiful creation on your own t-shirt! Bring an all-cotton t-shirt washed without fabric softener. Ages 5 and up; ages 5-8 with an adult caregiver. Dress for mess! Registration begins June 16. Program is cancelled in case of rain.

• Tuesday July 7
  Berea (Sarah Dobey Jones) Branch
  Call 246-1695 to register.
• Friday, July 17
  Anderson Road (West) Branch
  Call 269-5210 to register.
• Monday, July 20
  Travelers Rest (Sargent) Branch
  Call 834-3650 to register.

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Express Yourself!
Part I: Journal It
Wednesday, July 8 2:00p-3:30p
Augusta Road (Ramsey Family) Branch

Use the papier-mâché technique to transform a composition notebook into a personal journal. Learn about the history of journaling and get writing ideas. Bring safety scissors - all other supplies provided. Ages 11-14. Registration begins June 1. Call 277-0161.

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Square Dance! Wednesday, July 8, 3:30p-4:30p Hughes Main Library, Meeting Rooms A-C Howdy partners! Get ready for a library hoedown with a square dance and fun western-themed games. Wear your cowboy hats and other western wear. For ages 1- 12; ages 8 and under with adult caregiver.

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Miss Trish Presents:Crafty Kids
Thursdays, 3:30p-4:15p
Hughes Main Library, Story Room

School age children hear a story and enjoy a creative activity. Ages 5-11; ages 8 and under with an adult caregiver. Call 242-5000 x2248 to register.

• July 9 Paper Bag Puppets!
  From dragons to cavemen to puppies, create your own design. It’s all up to you! Registration begins July 3.
• July 16 Stick Doll
  Use fabric and markers to dress a craft stick.
  Registration begins July 10.
• July 23 Door Knob Decorations
  Use felt to make a cute animal to hang on your door.
  Registration begins July 17.
• July 30 Quilling
  Twist paper into coils and make a stunning creation.
  Registration begins July 24.

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Home School Time at the Library: Shakespeare
Thursday, July 9, 9:30a-11:00a
Greer (Jean M. Smith) Branch

Learn the basics of performing a play, then perform a scene from Shakespeare. For students in grades 3 and up. Call 877-8722 or email greer@greenvillelibrary.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.

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Create a Collage Bookmark
Thursday, July 9, 11:00a- 11:45a
Travelers Rest (Sargent) Branch

Express yourself in color as we create beautiful bookmarks with scraps of paper. All materials are provided. Open to ages 8-14. ;Registration begins June 8. Call 834-3650.

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Comic Kids: Graphic Novel Discussion
Thursday, July 9, 3:00p-4:00p
Simpsonville (Hendricks) Branch

Are you hiding a superhero costume under your clothes? Are you secretly a member of the nerdiest group at school? Are you secretly a-gasp-normal kid?! Then join us for a craft and discussion of the graphic novel, The Whole World’s Crazy (Amelia Rules! series) by Jimmy Gownley. Don’t forget to wear your superhero disguise! Open to all kids ages 8-12. Call 242-5000 x2248 or email elammy@greenvillelibrary.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to register.

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Ever After Stories: Cuba
Thursday, July 9, 7:00p-7:30p
Hughes Main Library, Story Room

Travel to Cuba with us! We’ll learn about the country, enjoy Cuban music and read Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach and Mediopollito=Half Chicken. For ages 7 and up. Call 242-5000 x2248 for more information.

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Bilingual Story Time/Cuentos Bilingües
Fridays, 7:00p-7:45p
Hughes Main Library, Story Room

A 45-minute Spanish/English story time for all ages. Cuentos bilingües que durarán 45 minutos en español e inglés para todas las edades. Call 242-5000 x2248 for more information.

• July 10 Diversión en las Vacaciones/Summertime Fun
• July 17 Las Fábulas de Esopo/Aesop’s Fables
• July 24 Vamos al Mercado/To Market, To Market
• July 31 ¡Se Venden Gorras!/Caps for Sale!

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Let’s Pretend: Pirates and Mermaids
Friday, July 10, 10:30a and 3:30p
Hughes Main Library, Meeting Room A

We begin with stories and songs that lead to pretend play. Sail the seas on our pirate ship, try some deep-sea fishing and go underwater with the mermaids! Ages 2-5. Space is limited. Registration begins June 12. Call 242-5000 x2248.

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Grandbaby Books
Saturdays (every other), 10:00a-10:30a
Hughes Main Library, Story Room

Bring your grandchildren (or children) for stories, singing and dancing. All ages welcome.

• July 11, Night Night Nana
  Hear stories and songs about sleeping over at Nana’s house. Bring your blankie.
• July 25, Around the Campfire
  Enjoy camping stories and music as we sit around the campfire. Bring a flashlight for extra fun.

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Eric Litwin: Special Event Mr. Eric is a guitar-strumming, banjo-picking, story-telling, five-time-national-award-winning, song writing, fun, folksy guy! He’ll perform his new book Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, which will be available for purchase ($18.00) and signing. Must be a registered Summer Reader to attend. Your reading log is your ticket in.

Summer Reader Event
Monday, July 13	10:30a Travelers Rest
Monday, July 13	7:00p Hughes Main	(Twilight Tales)
Tuesday July 14	10:00a Greer	11:00a Greer
Wednesday, July 15	10:00a Pelham	11:00a Pelham
Thursday, July 16	10:00a Simpsonville	11:00a Simpsonville
Friday, July 17	10:00a Taylors	11:00a Taylors

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Parachute Play! Tuesday, July 14, 3:30p-4:15p Berea (Sarah Dobey Jones) Branch, Outdoors Lift and hold on! See what fun you can have lifting and rolling a ball on a parachute. Ages 3 and up; ages 3-8 with an adult caregiver. Registration begins June 15. Call 246-1695. Program is cancelled in case of rain.

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Express Yourself!
Part II: Rhyme It
Wednesday, July 15, 2:00p-3:30p
Augusta Road (Ramsey Family) Branch

You may not know it, but you are a poet! New and experienced writers will explore what makes a poem a poem and learn easy techniques for writing formulaic poetry. You’ll have the option to share newly created poems with the group. Ages 11-14. Registration begins June 1. Call 277-0161.

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The Happy Circus by Becky’s Box of Puppets Run away to the circus with Becky’s Box of Puppets. All sorts of magic and mischief will occur under this “little Big Top.” Even young children will enjoy this unusual puppet show. Must be a registered Summer Reader to attend. Your reading log is your ticket in.

Summer Reader Event
Monday, July 20	10:00a Travelers Rest	11:00a Mauldin
Monday, July 20	7:00p Hughes Main	(Twilight Tales)
Tuesday July 21	10:00a Greer	11:00a Greer
Wednesday, July 22	10:00a Pelham	11:00a Pelham
Thursday, July 23	10:00a Simpsonville	11:00a Simpsonville
Friday, July 24	10:00a Taylors	11:00a Taylors

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Mosaic Bubble Paper
Tuesday, July 21, 3:00p-3:45p
Travelers Rest (Sargent) Branch

Create beautiful mosaic paper with soap and food coloring. Use it for note cards, scrap booking or decorating. Open to ages 8-14. Registration begins June 22. Call 834-3650.

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The Happy Circus by Becky’s Box of Puppets

Run away to the circus with Becky’s Box of Puppets. All sorts of magic and mischief will occur under this “little Big Top.” Even young children will enjoy this unusual puppet show.

Monday, July 27	10:30a Travelers Rest
Monday, July 28	10:00a Berea
Monday, July 29	10:30a Fountain Inn
Monday, July 30	10:30a Augusta Road
Monday, July 31	10:30a Anderson Road

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Reading Therapy Dog

Is your child having trouble reading? Reading aloud to a therapy dog may provide the motivation and self-esteem boost that will make your child want to read. Open to children 6-11 with an adult caregiver. Space is limited. Registration begins 1 month in advance.

June 13 11:00a-12:00p		July 11 11:00a-12:00p		August 8 11:00a-12:00p
Library Location - Phone		Library Location - Phone		Library Location - Phone
Main	527-9248	Main	527-9248	Main	527-9248
Augusta	277-0161	Augusta	277-0161	Augusta	277-0161
Berea	246-1695	Berea	246-1695	Berea	246-1695
Fountain Inn	862-2576	Fountain Inn	862-2576	Fountain Inn	862-2576
Greer	877-8722	Greer	877-8722	Greer	877-8722
Mauldin	277-7397	Mauldin	277-7397	Mauldin	277-7397
Pelham Rd	288-6688	Pelham Rd	288-6688	Pelham Rd	288-6688
Travelers Rest	834-3650	Travelers Rest	834-3650	Travelers Rest	834-3650