Linville Caverns

I went to see my folks yesterday and I took the kids to see the Linville Caverns. They are so neat. It is a natural cavern that they have equipped with minimal lights and rails to hold on to. It has a stream that runs through it and it is quite cool in there. We also went gem mining. The kids love that. We got to see all kinds of rock formations. It was close quarters in there too. You had to duck and squeeze through in places. We had a lot of fun though and my Mom, Sister and her two girls went with us. My mom did not want to go in the caverns and we had to make her. I think she enjoyed it after we got in there. She was afraid she might fall or something. It had been many years since she had been there and it had been since I was in the 8th grade since I was there.

We had a really good guide that took us through on our tour. He was very knowledgeable about the caverns. He had grown up there around them so he knew all the history. They were first discovered in the 1930's. The rock formations inside are always changing though because of the moisture. You were not allowed to touch the walls or anything because the oils from your skin would cause the formations to stop growing. There was one section in the back of the cavern that we were allowed to touch because it was growing closer together. Back in that section there was an abyss. It was covered with a steel grate so that we could walk over it.

After going in the caverns we went down the road to a little gem mine. The kids love gem mining and of course they had a ball this time too.

Movie Day. . .

So yesterday we went to the movies. We had a low key day. Not too much activity. We went to see Transformers, it was really good. The language was a little over the top for me but it was still good. We always tell the kids that they are not to repeat things they hear on TV or at the Movies. We made the mistake of taking them to see Hancock and the language in it was worse than the Transformers. We really had to have a talk with them after that one. I know they are going to hear things from other kids at school and on the bus so it is important for them to know how we feel about it.

Mark and I are not perfect and sometimes things slip out when it should not and we talk to the kids about that too. I just want them to know that we don't think it is ok for them to use some words that other kids and adults use. I think sheltering them from it is not the way to go but I think if they hear it and you talk about it right then, you can nip it in the bud.

Anyway, that is my lecture for the day. Transformers was a good movie though. I think we may go bowling again today. After all we have two FREE games a day. Why waste it? We are going to try to stay cool today I think it is going to be a hot one.

Carowinds . . .

So we went to Carowinds yesterday. It was warm but not un-bearable. Thomas finally rode one of the water rides and we all got wet. It kept us cool though. If you go to the Carowinds website they are selling tickets for a whole lot cheaper than you can get them from the Credit Unions and buying them at the gate. The food is very expensive as always. We packed a picnic and ate in the parking lot. I was surprised there were a lot of people doing the same thing. It was like going to a ballgame or something. People had their chairs and blankets and were sitting under the trees. We did not do all that we just sat in the car. The kids loved it they sat in the back with the hatch open and they thought they were something else. Mark laughed and said his folks used to do this all the time at the zoo. They would go and have a picnic in the parking lot. It beats the heck out of paying $30 for a slice of pizza that tastes like cardboard.

We are going to the movies today and then maybe bowling again. The kids are having fun on their stay-cation. I will try to post some pictures later of our trip to the park.

Vacation. . .

So, Mark is taking this week off and we are doing things locally. Yesterday we took the kids bowling for FREE. Yes, I did say for FREE, check out www.kidsbowlfree.com. Jack and Thomas love to bowl and Mark and I do too. You can find bowling lanes in your area that are participating they have them all over the US. You get two FREE games per person that you sing up everyday through the summer. Not a bad deal. For a fee you can sign up to 4 adults for FREE too. I signed Mark and I up and if we take the kids two times this summer and we bowl too we have made money on this venture.

After bowling we went to eat at a wing place. During lunch they are not very crowded. They have TV's up everywhere and you can play the trivia game on the TV. The kids thought that was cool so we each got a controller and played the trivia game while we ate. My kids are very competitive, don't know where that comes from. I won!!! HA HA HA!! Mark was helping Thomas and Jack was doing pretty good by himself.

Mark and I both laughed on the way home about how much fun the kids had staying around the house doing crazy things like this. We also went to AC Moore and picked up some little balsa wood prop planes for about $2. My kids are easily amused. They stayed outside most of the day once we got back home and played with their planes. Those things really do fly well especially with a little breeze under them.

Well that was day one of our Vacation.

Stay at Home Vacation. . .

Anyone staying local for Vacation? I think we are. Gas is just to high and the economy the way it is. I think we will be going to the Zoo and some local theme parks and going to the movies. There are few good movies out that the kids really want to see. In fact I think we may be going to one today.

I told you about the classes the kids were taking, well I signed them each up for a one day art class. A local studio is offering, at a really reasonable price, one day art classes where the kids create a picture on canvas. They are doing different themes, one day is gardening, sea life ect. . .
They also have them for different age groups so Jack and Thomas do not have to be in the same class. After the class you get to take home a special piece of art created by your little "Picasso." Jack is pretty talented when it come to drawing and this way he will be able to try paint. I am excited about this I can't wait to see what they create. Maybe I can up load a picture when they are done.

Well the natives are getting restless so I gotta jet. Happy Vacation!

The Red Cross Class. . .

Jack had his class yesterday and Thomas and I had Mommy and Tom time. While Jack was in class Thomas and went all over shopping, playing, and eating. Yeah, all my favorites and throw in Thomas for comic relief and that is great. Jack was in class from 9-3:30 so Thomas and I had the whole day to play. We went to Costco for some groceries and had to stop and have a cinnamon thing and a soda of course. Then off to Lowes to see the flowers. Then we got to meet Mark for lunch. I decided since I had a little time I would go back to the Red Cross and donate blood. Thomas was very well behaved. He sat like a little gentleman while they did my blood. The little ladies of course doted on him and he just ate that up. He got to go to the canteen and have a snack. Once I had finished giving blood it was time to stroll over and pick up Jack.

When I dropped him off that morning he was not very happy and said he did not want to go. I told him we were here and he was going. How do ya like that logic? His class was the last one to get out and he was the last one to come through the doors. He had the biggest grin on his face. I asked him how he liked it and he replied, "Can I come next year too?" He obviously had a great time. He made several new friends and was excited about what he had learned.

I asked him about what they learned and he said, they learned how to stop bleeding and how to bandage a cut or scrape. They learned about pressure points with blood flow. They also learned a little about rescue breathing. Of course Jack being Jack I am sure they learned more that he cannot remember.

Thomas gets to go to his class in July.