With Sage in Asheville, Jan 25 & 26

  We had a short drive from Morganton to Asheville where we are staying at a Country Inn & Suites there. It is very nice.
  Sherah dropped Sage off to us at 2:30 in downtown Asheville. The three of us walked to Mellow Mushroom for a late lunch. Then, we drove back to the hotel. Sage loves staying in hotels - explores everything and so enjoys opening doors with the key card.

   Then we went to her Tai Kwan Do lesson which was interesting to watch as last year we saw one of her earliest lessons. She now has her yellow belt and has made such progress. She seems very loved by the instructors, too. During this class, she earned a stripe on her belt which pleased her no end and she loved being able to perform for us.

   Then we went back to the hotel and swam and swam which she enjoys no end. Then, reading (The Shy Butterfly on Nantucket and a Judy Moody book, both of which she had packed.) We also had a very nice Skype session with Nick and Liz. Sage is very excited at the impending birth of her baby brother.

   The next morning, we had fun having breakfast at the hotel and then we took Sage to school at Leicester Elementary, which is a good 25 minute drive. She had an early release day. So, we went to Tops Shoe Store in downtown Asheville and she tried on lots of shoes and we bought her a pair of very bright sneakers. She loves bright clothes!

  Next we went to The Noodle Shop, a restaurant recommended by Cole and it was excellent. Later, we went to see Paddington 2 and ended the day with more swimming and more reading.
   The following morning, we had another good breakfast and Sherah picked Sage up at the hotel at 9:30.