While we were in Europe, the boys stayed with my parents for what they call “Grammie and Pea Camp”. Here are all the fun things they did Written by my mom!
This post was written by my mom Barbara!
When Maze asked to stay with us for two weeks this summer at Hillsborough, I said, “Yes!” Birch, of course, will also come. Kath heard about the plan and immediately suggested that she and Thomas are heading to Europe.
As the visit came closer, I began to worry about having fun a 6 and 12-year-old for so long, especially because North Carolina is very hot in the summer. Thanks to the huge help and planning from my husband, Cliff and plenty of luck, the visit began greatly.
Theme of Harry Potter
This summer he had a piece of a Harry Potter theme, as Maze reads the books! Every summer, I let Maze choose a LEGO set for his visit. Birch now gets one. The labyrinth reached the right. Soon, Hogwarts appeared on our coffee table.
Maze even saw how to shine the hogwarts on the wall of the living room at night.
Requested the ingredients for the manufacture of butter beer. Sweet but tasty!
We watched four Harry Potter films during the visit. The Labyrinth was quite patient to explain the plots and the most complex characters to me.
Grammie toast
Birch loves what he calls “Grammie Toast”, which is toast with lots of butter and cinnamon sugar. He liked to push vintage happy face from his mom’s childhood.
Art share
Birch enjoyed to show me the collection of kindergarten art works and read David Pelham’s detailed books, also vintage.
Eno river state park
Our first adventure was a visit to Ford’s Ford at Eno river state park. The rocks at the bottom can make it difficult to sink, but with water shoes, the boys did quite well. There are also large hiking trails there.
Museum of Life and Science
Durham’s Museum of Life and Science It is ideal for children. The boys loved insects, especially cockroaches.
The train ride, the dinosaur trail, the trees, the current, the butterfly house, the pillows and the animals were also great.
Durham bulls
The next night, we covered the Durham bulls. Both boys put on the shirts they chose before the game.
Although the bulls lost, Maze and Birch saw the bull illuminate when a run home came out of the park, a focus of the night.
Visit to Charlotte
Cliff and I were fine that Ten Straight says in our house could wear us all down, so we designed an adventure in the mountains of North Carolina. On the way, we stopped at Charlotte for a night with Cousins Emerson and Avery. The kids went wild until I put my grandmother’s voice, who, amazingly, worked! Here they are in CultureA brewery that is not far from Laura’s house where we had dinner.
Rock’s of the NC, nc
The next day we started to blow the rock. Cabin Cliff was just the right size for the four of us.
Birch loved the swing of the terrace.
Maze was happy with the cool attic on the upper floor.
On the first night, we ate a delicious dinner at Mellow Mushroom in the center of the rock, followed by a visit to a playground in the city center.
Railway tweetsie
The next morning we started for North Carolina legend: Railway tweetsie.
We brought Kath and Laura to tweetsie in the 80s, so we liked to come back with the next generation. The boys immediately took to prison.
Birch got brave enough to drive some of the walks walks around.
The zoo was a lot of fun, especially meeting this kid who managed to slip the fence and greet us on the flag path.
When asked what their favorite part of the day was, but the boys both answered: the train ride!
Panning for gemstones
The next day, at the request, we hit the playground again, and this grandmother took an hour to shop (and find two summer dresses). Then we started the PAN for gemstones at Prospector Hill Gem Mining. Although not cheap, this is a great childhood activity. The boys came away with beautiful rocks bags.
When we returned to Hillsborough, the final activities included a movie and a pleasant visit with Grandma Bonnie. Bonnie is the wife of Maze’s late coach Don Monson.
Before I knew, Kath and Thomas were at home. Birch greeted them in front of a big stick found in the woods near our home.
I am very sorry that I did not take a photo of European travelers. We liked to hear about their adventures and tell them about ours.
The next morning, we said goodbye, as everyone returned to Charlottesville. The boys seemed really grateful for the time we spent together. And what was the price for us to spend so happy days with them!
