Sea Island Mama's Piccolo Spoleto Picks

I started taking my first child to the Piccolo events at the Main library when she was a little over 1 yr old. We love them. We take snacks and you can always go into the children's library area if your child needs a break or is not as interested. Try to get there 30 minutes early so you can get a good seat. (On the side if you think you may need to make a quick exit.) All of these events are at the Main library on Calhoun.

Here are our plans for this week:

Tuesday

The Velveteen Rabbitt: enjoy a ballet performance of this classic tale. Presented by the Charleston City Ballet. At 9:15am, 10:45am and 12:15pm. 

Admission Free. 

(Unfortunately we wont make it to this one bc we have something else going on but we've seen it before and its just adorable and my little girl loves watching the dancers)

Wednesday

Three Billy Goats Gruff:  enjoy this classic tale with a musical twist. Presented by the College of Charleston Opera. At 9:15am, 10:45am and 12:15pm. Admission Free.

(we will probably do the 10:45am show. We've seen them do Little Red Riding Hood and the kids were a lil nervous about the big bad wolf but the opera singers were great. Hopefully the troll in this one wont be too scary)

Thursday

Jack and the Beanstalk:  a creative puppet show about this popular tale. Presented by All Hands Productions. At 9:15am, 10:45am and 12:15pm. Admission Free.

(We will be at the 10:45am show. We will be there pretty early for that one so we can get a really good seat. We've seen puppet shows by Columbia Marionette there before and it was hard for the kids to see over the crowd - see pic below from 2012.)

We hope to see y'all out at some of these great events! I will post about next week too - Taiko Japanese Drummers are our FAVORITES!

First Flush Festival today!!!!!!!

We can't wait! 

We actually had a misunderstanding this year bc in the past the festivals have always ended around 5-6pm. SO we planned on taking the kids this year. Avett Bros are the headliner - its gonna be fun times! But then we found out Avett don't even go on til 9pm. Thank goodness Nana said she could watch the kids. We're gonna have to miss the day part of the festival but its ok. We'll have a good time tonight...KID FREE ;)

Here is some info about today and a map:

Check out the event map to better know the festival grounds.   There’s a lot to see and do for people of all ages.  Enjoy one of our many musical acts, fill your belly with a variety of food truck specialties, or shop with our local artisans. 

  

Ticketing

We will have drive through ticketing. If you’ve already purchased your tickets simply have them ready and you’ll be good to go before you even leave your vehicle.  Make sure to print your tickets, download to mobile, or bring your hard tickets with you to the event.  IF tickets are still available day of show, they can be purchased at the main gate Box Office/Will Call tent. If you purchased your tickets from The Avett's Brothers Fan Club they will be waiting for you at will call. 

Tips

No re-entry. Stay and have fun.

Items not allowed in Festival: Coolers, glass, animals, firearms or fireworks.

Transportation

We ask that attendees please carpool if possible due to the large number of people that attend First Flush and the limited number of parking spaces available. It will help speed up the entry and exit lanes to/ from the show. COMPASS Transportation is the official transportation partner of The First Flush Festival and will be offering a variety of shuttle options and chauffeured cars for groups large and small. Mention promo code “FIRSTFLUSH” to receive a special festival rate available only to ticket holders. For more information please visit ridecompass.com or call their office at 843-410-3244. We kindly ask that our guests do not drink and drive! Taxis will be available after the event and vehicles can be left at the Tea Plantation until Monday, May 26th at 5pm.

Please do not Drink and Drive! 

Hurry, don’t forget to tell your friends to grab their tickets before they’re all gone.  http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/525909?utm_medium=bks

We went in 2008 (or 2009?) and 2010 (when I was super prego with Betty).

Here are some pics of years past:

We found a mini-horse!

Me & mama

2010

Festival is named for the first flush of tea leaves that can be harvested on the plantation.

Ummm...we were both preg in this picture....seriously :)

Joey & Baby Jack

I have a feeling this time will be different - not so picnicy and kid-friendly after its gets dark :)

I kinda can't wait!

Hope to see y'all there!

The Worst Trip (and best) to Trader Joe's ever. I need wine.

Today we crossed THE BRIDGE to Mt. Pleasant. We rarely cross the bridge so even though it is actually a very short trip, it seems like we are going out of town. It did take 30 minutes to get to Trader Joe's though with traffic and by the time we got there the kids were antsy. 

My main goal was to stock our wine rack and get some champagne for a baby shower I'm hosting this wknd. Louis (16 mos old) lost it about 15 minutes in. A tantrum like I've never seen....from either of my children. It started bc I was making him sit on his bottom rather than riding in the buggy surfer style standing up. Chill dude.

My first thought was to ride it out - I got a few looks but there's no way this would continue if I paid him no attention for this negative behavior right? Wrong. He started writhing and screaming bloody murder crying, staff began to come up to us and check on us, the looks from people got a little more intense and annoyed. My blood pressure was rising, I gave him a bag of edamame to play with (Ooooh! Its cooold!) He hated it. He hated life. So then I was running thru the store yelling at Betty (4yrs old) to keep up. Basically doing a Supermarket Sweep...who knows what I was throwing into the cart. I wasn't giving up so easily just because WE CAME ACROSS THE BRIDGE Y'ALL. It was far! 

Then he took it to a new level and multiple people came up to attempt to console him and/or me. I threw in the towel. Left my full buggy dramatically in front of alot of customers and took the kids to the car. Louis was consoled as soon as he had a cracker in his mouth (its not like I'm starving the child - he had JUST finished 2nd snack!).

I'm buckling in the children, turn the car on with AC full blast bc I am visibly sweating (gross) and turn around to see a manager walking to me. 

Very sweet - "M'am do you need any help?"

Me: "No. Thank you though - my children..."

Him: "No need to explain - I could just stay near the car if you want to go back in and check out?"

Me: "Omg - would you? The children are fine and buckled in - I just need to be sure no one takes off with them!" (Don't judge. I know I was SUPER trusting but I was kinda grasping at straws here. He was super nice, had a manager name tag and we're in Mt. Pleasant so its cool.)

So I run in, everyone is STARING at me thinking whattha hell did she do with her children.

I find my full cart and get in the LONGEST LINE EVER. Finally check out and get outside and he (his name was Chris Spina) and another employee (Kim) are waiting near my car with flowers for me to cheer me up. I kinda run towards them bc checkout took so long (and of course in that time period I start thinking - what did I just do? I just left my kids with a random bc he had a name tag!!!! omg) 

So I'm running towards them and saying thankful things to them (bc they actually were pleasant people with nothing but good intentions - how refreshing) and MY CASE OF WINE SLIDES OUT FROM UNDER THE BUGGY AND ROLLS ONTO THE PAVEMENT AND BREAKS - WINE AND GLASS EVERYWHERE. And I proceed to bust out crying. 

Omg.

Chris (my bff at this point) pats my back and says "No worries honey - you go get the other groceries in the car and tend to the children and I will clean this up and Kim is already on her way to replace the broken wine and the get a new box"

I am a HOT MESS at this point and just kinda muffle "Ok" (blubber, blubber, blubber)

So they did that, I got home, the kids are in fed and in bed and I am drinking said wine.

There are good people in the world (Chris & Kim at Trader Joes) and crazy people in the world (me). 

I'm really glad they were there. 

Thank you for my flowers y'all. 

And my wine :)

I'm calling corporate now to brag on you.

Going above and beyond for this frazzled mama.

Whatchoo doin this Wknd? 5/10

This is what you SHOULD be doing:

Greek Festival. It's great.

Try a Greek beer (they kinda taste like Heineken).

Watch the dancers. Listen to the music.

Eat lots of greek food - not just gyros.

You can get gyros from Eat-a-Pita - try some other stuff!

Jump castles....big beautiful oak trees....BAKLAVA SUNDAES!

And be sure to visit the lil marketplace there too - fun Greek food items.

Find out all you need to know HERE.

Library Fun

Folly Beach Library

PLAY: Movie and Craft

Saturday, May 10, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Make a Mother's Day craft, and watch Monsters University. Rated G; 104 minutes.

James Island Library

PLAY with Dad: Saturday Stories

Saturday, May 10, 10:30 AM

Enjoy storytime with your dad or another favorite loved one.

Charleston Farmer's Mkt in Marion Square

If you live here - you should go! This is a great way to spend a Saturday!

 Watching the break dancers.

Planting okra seeds with Lowcountry Local First. 

(which promptly spilled ALL OVER THE FLOORBOARDS OF MY CAR)

So that was cool.

And you still have a chance to join US Saturday morning at Chick Fil A for the Mother/Daughter Tea Party! We will be there at 8:45am dressed in our finest tea party attire and when you say you are with Sea Island Mama you can get fun free stuff!

Sunday is Mother's Day! 

I would like to wish my mama a very Happy Mother's Day! I love you!

I will see you this wknd :)

Sunday Brunch Farmer's Mkt is just getting better and better.

More vendors and better produce

I love it.

Livy Conner will be providing live music this Sunday.

Happy Wknd and a VERY happy Mother's Day to all 

the other mamas out there!

Whatchooo Doing this Wknd? 5/3

Friday:

ART WALKS downtown. Go there. On a date night. I want to.

We don't know alot about art but we loooove to play the game "What's your favorite piece in the gallery and why?" and drink the free wine. Sometimes you can meet the artist there. I met Anne Worsham Richardson and got to ask her questions and talk to her before she passed away and it was amazing.

I grew up with her paintings in my grandmother's house and our house.

She talked to me about how she kept so many injured animals and birds at her home and painted them. Anyway - I could go on and on....

Go. 

Its such a good time.

Click HERE for more info.

And evidently this Friday there is also a Broad St Art Walk coinciding.

Should be good times.

Anyone know a babysitter for us?

Saturday: 

Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is having its 10th annual FAM JAM on May 3rd from 10am – 2pm in Marion Square during the Downtown Farmers Mkt. Its a FREE family festival filled with outdoor PLAY! 

All who come to FAM JAM get in free to the Children’s Museum that day too.

Then...in McClellanville...

The Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet

a) McClellanville is the Mayberry-est town ever. Its adorable.

Pic of me at the festival in 2008

b) The blessing of the fleet is really cool. The priest gets out on the dock in full robes and a bagpipe is played and the shrimp boats parade in front of him in the water while he blesses them.

c) I want to be on one of those shrimp boats one day. People are SERIOUSLY partying and it looks so fun.

d) great lil artist mkt and entertainment - we saw cloggers one year - and great shaggin bands

e) while you are there go to McClellanville Diner on 17 and get the BEST 

she-crab soup you have ever tasted. 

(Its soft-shell crab season too so you might get a crab po boy)

Find out more info about the festival HERE!

Sunday:

Thinkin about the Riverdogs game...before it gets too hot.

Sunday Brunch Farmers Mkt in Riverland Terrace.

Y'all have a great wknd!