You can be ANYTHING you want to be, baby! **

I like to expose my kid to lots of experiences and activities, so that he can get a little taste of all aspects of life. This weekend was a good example of the wide array of experiences that I like to provide for him.

Friday: "Things like this only happen on really hot days."
I had the day all planned out, with a quick trip to Costco nestled into the midday, to be followed by some cleaning and other activities at home. Max and I stayed on schedule in Costco, making good time in the store even though it was slam packed (as usual, because clearly nobody in Greenville works and yet they all have tons of disposable income to spend on bulk packages of chips and life-sized teddy bears). So, we got all of our bulk packages loaded in the car and were on our way when I remembered that, Oh yeah! I need gas! So, after a quick fill-up at the Costco gas station, we were on our way. Except we weren't. Because the Kia would not start. How embarassing. A very nice gentleman offered to give it a try (because I apparently look like some ditzy girl who doesn't always remember the proper steps involved in starting a car) and he confirmed that, yep, it would not start. He then, along with his friend, pushed the car away from the pump for me. Luckily, Chris answered his phone when I called and was quickly on his way to our rescue, but I had about 35 minutes to kill in the Costo gas station parking lot with a hungry baby, a broken down car, and a close to 90 degree day. (A friend pointed out that all I needed was a cigarette to complete this lovely scene.)

Max used this as a learning opportunity. Maybe he'd like to be a mechanic.

(Please note the chicken, cooling it's heels - or should I say thighs or breasts - in the relative coolness of the shade under the driver's seat)

Anyway, Max certainly was happy to be hot and sweaty around a dirty car...which is certainly a requirement for a mechanic. This might have potential.


We are not going to discuss how much it cost to get the Kia back to driving condition, because it gives me heart palpitations...but thanks to Chris for taking care of getting her back in working order for me!

Saturday: "You can be Greek for a day"
Saturday we headed to Greenville, I mean Greekville, for the Greek festival. I'm pretty sure my sole intention for going to the Greek festival was to eat a gyro...I'm on a constant quest to eat anything that is even somewhat close to a doener. So Max got to be Greek for the day.

Look how thrilled he was to be Greek for the day! I think he was scared we were going to make him wear a skirt and dance. Like me, he was really only interested in the gyros. And he had his first taste of meat, which was not white sausage as I had predicted, but was, in fact....well, whatever it is that's in gyros. Perhaps lamb...whatever it was, he liked it. And I think everything tastes better with the proper music playing in the background. Max even busted out a few moves. He's a natural Greek!


And finally...just to make sure that Max's carnivorous tendency was not a fluke, we've been feeding him little bites of meat since Saturday. Chris shared some little pieces of hot dog with Max and today I shared something that's like gold around here - Chris's pork barbecue. Of course my little meat eater loved it, with a side of watermelon. Just what every good Southerner would eat. I really wanted to hook him up with some Sticky Fingers Carolina Classic Barbecue Sauce...maybe next time.


**This post is dedicated to Ben and Les. They know why.