Today was Brielle Day, a craft fair in Brielle. We go every year. I told John that we were going and to get twenty dollars out of his little safe to put in his wallet in case he found something he wanted to buy. He did as he was told and I turned around and he was gone. He came back downstairs smiling. He said "I got another $20 for Gillian. In case she wants to buy something! She can pay me back when she gets bigger or never."
At Brielle Day, Gillian found a stand that had outfits and dresses that would fit her American doll. We found one that she liked and as I was asking how much to the vendor John came over. He pulled out his little wallet and handed the lady his twenty. I'm so proud of my little man. He's such an amazing big brother.
John had his annual camp barbecue tonight. His group got to stay after camp ended for the day. They had an extra swim and did some other activities. Then they ate dinner. We got to join John after dinner. Gillian was so excited to go to John's BBQ. She was jealous that he got an extra swim but still excited to see him. We arrived and couldn't find John right away. But Gillian found her counselor. She ran over to him and said "Hi Anthony!" She is definitely fitting in at camp.
We found John and explored the camp. The kids showed us all their favorite places to play. We made sand art and John got to go on the big zip line!
Gillian showed off her climbing skills.
We had dessert and headed home. Another awesome camp barbecue!
Tonight at dinner, we had the kids tell us about their day. Gillian told me how she sailed her little sailboat in the regatta and ate mac and cheese for lunch. She also said "I saw Johnny when he was shooting his rocket!" John said "Yeah. I know that already." I asked "Does she scream your name?" He just smiled. I said "I bet it's something like this 'JOHNNY! HI JOHNNY!'" I also waved at him. And he said "Yea. Kinda."
Sorry Johnny, Gillian is just excited to see you. They haven't been in the same school or camp over two years. Seeing John during the day is really cool for Gillian and I know she won't get tired of it soon.
Tonight on our way home from camp I hear, "Gimme a G! What? That's what cheerleaders say?!?" I could practically hear John's eyes rolling. Gillian said "Gimme a G! Gimme an I! Gimme a L L! Gimme a I. Gimme a..." John said "A." Gillian said "Yeah, A. Gimme a N! What's that spell?" John said in the driest, most bored voice "Gillian." She turns to him and says "You're supposed to say GILLIAN!" And put her arms up in a V over her head.
This year Gillian is going to Camp Briar Hill with John this summer. She is super excited. For the younger grades, they do pre-camp barbecue. It gives the kids a chance to meet the other kids in their group and check out the camp. Gillian was very excited. And John was too. He couldn't wait to show her around.
We arrived, met Gillian's group counselors, heard the camp owner talk, and then we were allowed to explore. Gillian wanted to go to the arts and crafts barn, but it was packed with people. We headed to the pirate ship jungle gym. The kids played and then Gillian wanted to try the zip line. She didn't hesitate. She jumped right on.
The kids also checked out a bouncy house and a train (they were brought in just for the BBQ). Next we went to the art barn and the kids made sand art. We had some Rita's water ice. Gillian couldn't leave until she rode the zip line a second time.
While we were in Myrtle Beach, we went to the beach twice. Both kids were super excited. John wanted to dig a big hole and Gillian wanted to search for shells. Once the kids were coated in sunscreen, they ran to the ocean.
Luckily it was low tide both days and the kids were able to play in the water. The beach also formed an awesome sand bar that created a canal for the kids to play in.
The first day at the beach, Gillian was searching for shells. She spotted one in the ocean and picked it up. But she screamed and dropped it. I quick bent down and picked it up. It was a big conch shell. She said "I thought there was a crab in it." I showed her that it was empty. She immediately put it to her ear and said "I can hear the ocean!" She was so excited. I got a video of her telling the story.
They built castles and buried my feet.
They made friends and tried to catch fish in the little canal by the "space bar" (as Gillian liked to call it). The next time we went to the beach, we stopped and picked the kids up some nets so they could catch some fish. I think this was their favorite part.
We spent last week in Myrtle Beach with Mimi and Poppy. On Father's day, we took the kids to Captain Hook's Adventure Golf. We separated into two groups, boys against girls. The girls went first. Gillian is an excellent mini golfer. She understands the rules, but doesn't have much patience waiting for everyone else to go. She also takes a lot of strokes. After the third or fourth hole, Gillian must have heard me ask Mimi what she shot. So Gillian started to tell me what she shot. But every time, it was a two. Didn't matter how many strokes she took.
Here Gillian is teeing off on one hole.
And here she is finishing and she tells me what her score is.
