First Thursday

Yesterday was a full day.

We went to preview day at our local chapter of Classical Conversations, a program we plan to enroll Ben and Kyrie in next fall. The parent meeting hadn't gone so well so I wasn't sure what to expect. Mike took the day off and came with us and his perspective and support were really helpful.

Kyrie was in heaven. I loved her tutor (who would likely be her tutor next fall). Ben's group was full of awkward rambunctious boys with a couple of outnumbered girls. He introduced himself to the class, "You may not realize I'm famous" and they seemed to forgive him for that. A good sign. Everleigh thought the whole thing lasted WAY too long (3 hours) and I'm hopeful she does better when the program begins six months from now.

After the girls napped, we jumped in the car and headed to Seattle where we visited SAM (Seattle Art Museum) for First Thursday (free day). Mike & Everleigh managed to see most of the museum with the exception of the visiting Gauguin exhibit which did cost (for adults) so only I took the two oldest in to see it. SAM was impressive. The Met it is not, but it had a very diverse collection from each period of history. We saw African masks which Kyrie and Ev both screamed at. (Ev covered her eyes and said "too scary.") I loved what I saw of the modern art collection and we enjoyed the European art from the Middle Ages, which Ben has been studying.

I had a proud moment when Ben pointed out the sunflowers in a Gauguin painting as an influence from Van Gogh (whom he briefly stayed with to paint in Arles, France).

We loved that SAM has a Family Room which is a kid space with art-related toys and books on art. 

Afterward we met my Aunt Sandi, Uncle Rick, cousin Scott, and brother at our favorite Old Spaghetti Factory for a family dinner.

All that and we still get to have a weekend!