NC Round Up

Visiting NC in winter is a lot different than in the summer.  We needed to come up with some indoor activities because of the weather.  I guess we get spoiled here in SF being able to play outside anytime of the year.  We only had a few days at Mom and Dad's house so it wasn't so bad filling our time...especially when Cameron helps with the chores!

We took an outing on a rainy day to Chik Fil A.  So many things I love about this place, mainly the toys in the kids meals are educational and I love the place mats they give stick to the table!

We really loved the games that came in our meal, one was a story telling game.  It came with picture cards that you passed out.  You then had to create a story using your cards.  I loved the evolution of the stories...they stared out really simple, just using each picture, and turned into these long, elaborate tall tales of adventure.  These videos are kinda long but pretty funny hearing the kids use their imagination.

We had a dance party one night before bed...Granny and Grandpa showed Cameron some new cool moves!

Puzzles and art...easy way to take up a few hours...

Timo put his new cannon he got at the History Museum into play....creating a Revolutionary War battle.

Grandpa and Timo had this tickle match going on the whole time we were there.  They would try to sneak up on each other and tickle...sounds goofy but Timo had a blast trying to surprise Grandpa!  I know Timo would have rather been outside mowing grass or building something with Grandpa but my dad did a good job entertaining him.

 Riding bikes in any break in the weather...never mind it was soooo cold outside!

We had a visit one afternoon from some great friends, Kaye and Bill.  Thanks for all the goodies you brought us!!

Cameron and Mom made up a North Carolina cheer one night while we were watching a UNC basketball game...this girl knows how to cheer!

We had a great visit and I'm so happy we got to see Grandma Cameron...but nothing like coming home.  We missed Daddy so much!

NC State Museums

I LOVE the NC state museums not only because they are highly educational, have great exhibits and are kid friendly, but they are FREE!  So with Cameron interest in dinosaurs and Timo's interest in Native American Indians, we took our last day to visit the NC Museum of Sciences and NC Museum of History...which happen to be right next to each other.

Cameron was on a mission...to see dinosaurs.  As soon as we arrived she headed straight for the bones while Timo wanted to stop and see every little display and ask questions.  I love when they have the museum staff out with hands on displays and answering questions.

Once Cameron got her fill of dinos, we checked out a few other exhibits like the giant bug farm!

Then it was Timo's turn to go to his museum.  I really thought the History museum would have lots on Indians considering all the Indian history we learned in school...but the exhibit was relativly small compared to the Revolutionary, Civil and World War exhibits.  (Truth be told, Timo enjoyed the war exhibits way more anyway).  He really wanted to see teepees, canoes and bows, which they had so I guess it was fine.  What was fun was this great hands on looks at how the Indians made fire with sticks...so cool!

Timo was beyond excited when we hit the war areas.  The Revolutionary War was first and we watched a short video about NC role in the war.  Yes, we watched it at least 10 times.  School groups came and went and we were still sitting there, Timo begging "just one more time, pleeeeeese."

We stayed in the "homestead" area a while, learning how to quilt, milk cows, churn butter and cook over an open fire.

We didn't make it the whole way through the history museum, we should have allotted a whole day for just that museum.  We really got stuck in the war areas learning all about weapons, battles, horses, doctors, and cannon.  I was trying to let Timo take his time and guide us, since it was his treat, which meant we watched a reenactment of a cannon firing over and over.  But Cameron was getting hungry, I exhausted all our snacks and it way past time for lunch, so we had to leave before we hit the "First in Flight" section or history in sports.  We'll hit the rest of the museum on our next visit!

I took them to my favorite burger place for lunch, Chargrill!  Such yummy burgers (even though Cameron got a corn dog).  And there's an original Krispy Kreme right downtown too so we just had to stop!  I love visiting North Carolina!!!

Chucky Cheese!

Since we were visiting in February, my nieces had school and dance practice, so we didn't get to see them that much. We were able to go to dinner on our last night in town and we chose Chucky Cheese! This was Timo and Cameron's first time, and mine for that matter, and I must say it certainly held up to the hype. It was 100mph from the time we walked in the door. I'm not even sure why they serve pizza there, my kids certainly didn't want to sit down and eat and I didn't see many other children sitting down.  I guess it's food for the parents? 

We got our tokens, Kaylee and Kenzie went to the older games and we made our way through the games Timo and Cameron could play.  We found several partner games and got right to work collecting our tickets!

Eventually the children wanted to go to separate games so Grandpa took Timo around while I helped Cameron...she did the horse riding one at least 10 times!

Of course Timo gravitated to the battleship, shooting games, busy collecting his tickets.  Cameron was taking a little break with Kaylee in the play area so I went to look for Timo and Grandpa...only to find Timo playing with the big boys in a pirate adventure game.  It was partner based game and Timo was holding his own against the 9/10 year old group of boys that had gathered.  The only problem I had was the language these boys were using was a little harsh but I don't Timo even noticed, he was so focused on navigating the levels. I don't even think he realized he was so much smaller than the other boys.  He eventually used all of his tokens on this game and was quite upset that I wouldn't give him more.

So, while we had a really good time at Chucky Cheese, we might have to wait a little long until some can learn a little more self control.  This picture was taken on our way out and Timo was in full melt down mode.  I don't think any amount of time would have been enough for him!  But it was so much fun to hand out with our cousins!!  We miss you and can't wait to see you again soon!!!!

Grandma Cameron's House--long post

The whole reason for our trip to NC was to visit my Grandma Cameron. Up until about three months ago, Grandma had been a very healthy 89 year old. With in the last few months she has suffered a few health problems leading them to find cancer. Through surgery, they were able to remove most of it and deciding not to do further treatment such as chemo because of her age and the likelihood of it returning was in the 3-5 year range.  But before her health problems, I had the nudging from God that I need to go see her and spend some quality time with her.  Our summers in NC seem to go by so fast, we only get a day or afternoon with her.  I really wanted the children to spend time really getting to know her, learn about our family history through her and make lasting memories of their Great Grandma Cameron.  So their winter break served as a great time to go visit for several days.  We decided on the trip and and then her health problem began.  I'm so glad the Lord laid it on my heart to go...other wise I would have been wishy-washy once we saw her battle the sickness and come out better on the other side.

We arrived at her house on Sunday to a big Cameron family gathering.  Since we were still in "celebration mode", my mom put together a little birthday party for the twins since there was so much family around.  This was the first birthday they have spent with my family, cousins, aunts, uncles and Great Grandma.  Timo couldn't wait to see his Uncle Kevin...a hero in his eyes because Kevin is in the Air Force.  He had lots of army questions for him...lots.

 

There was still snow on the ground so the kids were itching to get out and put their hands in it!  It amazes me how kids can play outside in 20 degree weather!!  Luckily Grandma has a safe neighborhood so I could stand INSIDE the front door and keep an eye on them while playing outside.

Timo and Cameron love their cousin Kaylee!  Once she arrived they were thick as thieves!  Kayle taught them how to eat biscuits with butter and honey and Timo taught her how to shoot the bow and arrow.

Once all the family left that evening it was just us with Grandma, settling in to spend the next three days.  I think once all the excitement was over Cameron realized we were spending the night and started getting a little upset.  She really wanted to go back to Granny's house...everything was so strange in Grandma Cameron's house.  But we talked about how important it was, Grandma Cameron offered to make make an cheese and she decided she would stay.  She ended up having a blast the whole time and even slept "like a baby" in Grandma's bed..not in my bed.

We spent the next few day trying to keep busy and entertain them in the small country town of Vass, NC.  We played in the park, picked gumballs and pine cones up out of Grandma's yard, wound Grandma's coo-coo clock every morning and evening and used our imaginations, making a rocket ship out of Grandma's old, old, old recliner.

Grandma treated us lunch at my favorite, Cracker Barrel where we learned how to play the peg game.  She then took the children to the Dollar Store to pick out 2 toys of their choosing!  We got some mask kits, coloring books and crayons...easy entertainment!

On our last day we went to visit my great Aunt Aida.  She was so surprised to see us and Timo and Cameron!  Aunt Aida lives next to a farm so we spent a lot of time outside looking at the chickens, roosters and horse.  Cameron especially loved the horse...she didn't even mind being in the rain.

It was time for us to leave and the children gave Grandma instruction on how to come to SF to visit us next time.  I was so proud of the kids, they were on their best behavior and so respectful the whole time.  I think the best part was looking at lots of family pictures, learning about where we cam from.  Timo was excited to see so many relatives that were in the army, including his late Great Grandpa Cameron.  Grandma really enjoyed spending time with Timo and Cameron and just the quite times of us talking once the kids were in bed at night. It was a wonderful visit...I'm so glad I was obedient to the Lord's nudge to go visit...He blessed us with memories to last a lifetime.