|
|
|
|
 We attended Easter Sunday Mass, collected Lilli and then
headed for Richmond to pick up Emily and Lauren for GBC Second Edition.
Imagine three critters in a '05 VW Jetta. We were full but spirits were
high. Fortunately G-Po had to stop at many rest areas so the critters
could stretch their legs. Sammy was glad to get away from Lilli's cats
but was having some trouble finding a place to sleep with all of these
girls in her seat. Yep, a full car!
|
|
|
 In no time we found ourselves at the Tregembo
Zoo, a great privately owned zoo south of Wilmington. The kids like to
visit the animals every time they come to 'Grandma's House'. The girls
like to get corn and peanuts and throw them to the monkeys, bears,
turtles, and alligators. We went there on a pleasant morning where the
temperature was just perfect.
|
|
|
 Grandma likes GBC also. She didn't have to do all of the
'hard' stuff that the critters had to do, but she had to organize them
each and every morning and night. Emily was the first to be promoted to
Mate (which she lost three hours later) but by the end of GBC, they were
all promoted. They kept their rank through GBC including the eventual
ride home.
|
|
|
 Back to the bocce courts. Emily and Lauren had
never played before so Lilli 'taught' them the finer points. Grandma
and G-Po helped a little also. Everybody played well but of course G-Po
won again though It will not be long before his critters start beating
him. G-Po will enjoy it while he can.
|
|
|
 After a couple of games of bocce, the kids decided that
they had enough and then headed for the playground where G-Po became the
engine for the swingers. This is a very popular playground where we
meet all types of people. They have a special needs program where
students are brought to the playground from time to time for exercise
and socializing. Not bad.
|
|
|
 Of course we had to hug Jule III again. However,
it looks like the kids were more interested in hugging Matie, the
assistant to the dockmaster at the Mona Black marina. Matie was glad to
see them but was not interested in catching ball. She is slowing down
a bit and is still healing from a leg injury. There is not much action
at the marina as many folks are away on business or vacation. That will
change soon.
|
|
|
 The girls donned the life jackets for we were going to
spend some time on the water. Our first voyage was a dinghy ride from
Jule III to a restaurant at the head of the harbor. Weather was calm
but the air was a bit cool so we all had jackets. The rebuilt
carburetor worked perfectly on the outboard. After a tasty meal at the
HarborMaster, we headed for the new mooring field at Carolina Beach.
Goodness, the mooring balls are large and the pendants are small. There
is space for boats up to 55' and right now they are free. They are
being used but there are still many uncertainties.
|
|
|
 We celebrated Emily's 10th birthday a little early as we
would be voyaging during her real birthday. She likes Outback so we
surprised her with a nice dinner there two days before we returned her
to Richmond. She said she really likes the steaks there but what did
she order? Mac and cheese. What is all that about? Then it was time
for presents. She really liked her Vera Bradley stuff (G-Po calls it
Betty Bradley; not sure why) as this picture shows.
|
|
|
 Time to load the critters and their critter stuff back in
the car. Sammy Jane gets to stay home and we will drop off the gaggle
of kids at Rocky Mount where Rob and Anne will collect and redistribute
them to their proper homes. We are trying to negotiate better terms for
their next visit. Girlie Boot camp was a great success. Maybe next
time, we'll put the lyrics of our song in the journal. Maybe.
|
|
;
