7 Wonders: Greece

Trying to get caught up on countries before our weekend and to avoid folding laundry, so really it's the same old, same old here. 

And last week we were in Greece, which didn't need too much explaining since we once had an entire theme week dedicated to it. 

And everyone knows lots about Greece, it's one of the world's top tourist destinations (it's in the top 20 countries). There's literally thousands of islands to explore, each with their own distinctive character and attractions. 

We had already learned all about our next two Seven Wonders, so we just needed a refresher there. 

So the boys had very little trouble making the backside of their postcards with the Colossus of Rhodes and the Statue of Zeus. 

We talked some Greek mythology, because you can't talk Greece without Zeus and the Parthenon. 

And we talked Olympics, because, well, they're the home of the first modern Olympic games (to say nothing about the Greek Olympics before that). 

Our book noted the Greek trademarks of the Acropolis, Kalamata Olives, old women in black, Homer, and white washed villages. 

In fact, Oia on the island of Santorini was our landmark (since the boys were already familiar with the 'big' ones). Oia is not only a great village for watching sunsets, the houses are noted for their white wash and blue domes. It's said the color combination goes back to the time of the Ottoman occupation when Greeks were forbidden from flying their blue and white flag, so as an act of defiance they painted their houses blue and white. 

Greek's random fact: Around 500  BC the poet Thespis is said to have improvised a religious choral performance, thus becoming the first 'thespian'. 

We did discuss a bit more in the way of current events, especially with Greece's economic woes and the fact that they are once again sliding back into a recession. 

I mean if you lived over in Greece, right now you'd be nearly 4 times more likely to be unemployed, and make about 55% less money. 

The boys made their Greek postcards. 

Calib drew some nice blue and white houses, but his Pegasus could use some work. 

Peyton's Pegasus wasn't much better, but his olive tree was lovely. 

And lately Hayden has been going for drawing the actual country shape. He did a better job than I did on the table. 

We had a little help from the store for our Greek dinner with Dolmas and Greek baked beans in tomato sauce. I also convinced Asa to spring for the Greek olive oil at Sprouts- it was even on sale. 

In addition to that, Asa made Greek Chicken, Greek Style Potatoes, Greek Salad, and Greek Lemon cake. For our fruit we had grapes. 

This dinner only earned three spoons up. 

I'm not really sure why. Asa, Calib and I loved it. The whole thing. I'd have it all again, except maybe the dolmas. It's not bad- just not exciting (if you've never had them they are stuffed with rice). 

Peyton really liked the cake and the potatoes. 

Hayden liked the potatoes and the salad. 

Honestly nothing was too outside the box here. I think we've had similar dinners before, but that doesn't make it any less yummy. 

I do want to note, Asa says he can't bake and it always turns out terrible. (It doesn't, he just doesn't remember the good ones). This one, though, was particularly yummy. It was moist and fluffy and had just the right amount of lemon. 

Greece got a pretty blue color, and we made a bunch of dots around it to denote the islands. 

74 down, 119 to go! 

Next Up: Brunei