Greystone - The first run!

Click here to open in a browser so that videos will show.

Ernest and Shirley are amazing hosts for Greystone drop off and pick up!  They took Margaret and me to the Biltmore house, which we she wanted me to try to pawn off to the boys as their house.

There's an incredible wooden exhibit now complete with several trains plus scenes of Paris and London.

And, apparently, the night before tradition is to pick up Krispie Kreme's on the way home for breakfast...and maybe one for dessert, too:-)

And then frozen yogurt, too??? Why go to camp if you could just visit 

Uncle Ern and Shirley?

 "Here we are at camp again, where each camper wears a grin.  

Greystone, you're the best, you belong to me."

So fun to have the Coons there, too, dropping off sweet Ella!

Stunning flowers by Tentalow 2.

 

Tentalow Lower One!  Perfect spot for a 6-year-old.

Comforting to know that there was a familiar face at camp, though within 5 minutes of being in her cabin, Margaret was all "Come on, ____.  Let's go____.  Mom, would you please GO!?!"

I always loved that there was Tetherball right beside T1. 

Top bunk, just like home:-)  

There were SO many friends that I ran into opening day that I left with a smile on a face.  Helped knowing that Margaret was so eager and confident.  But I will admit there were tears as we drove in...my tears.  So very many times I was on the other side of this, and now to be the Mom.  Could I only stay?!?  Many friends from my day have managed a way to stay on staff that I couldn't help but feel jealous.  It's truly amazing how many people have created lives surrounding their ability to remain involved in impacting the Greystone girls.  What a blessing...for them, the girls, and the staff.  

 ________________________

And then I blinked and was back in Asheville 

with the boys en route to get Margaret.  

After Shirley's wonderful tour of the first floor, she suggested a "mean face" and then she and Uncle Ern didn't comply.  The kids are learning their grandparent sense of humor:-)  

 Of course Matthew LOVED the various trains at the wooden exhibit. 

 Pick-Up!  I got a sweet smile as we approached the front porch only to be followed by, "Where's Dad??".  At least she was still being herself. 

Then I walked in and was greeted by sweet Joanne and Raby.  Joanne had tears in her eyes and barely managed to get out, "Margaret is a special little girl.  She was so sweet and compassionate with the others.  Whenever someone was feeling sad or homesick, she would rub their back and say, "Come on! Let's go ____."  Of course I teared back, thankful that these counselors got our Martin Luther King, Jr. award winning characteristics of Margaret instead of the hard head we sometimes get at home.  So incredibly grateful for these women and the impact that they had on Margaret!   

 My favorite early morning spot at camp.

Warms my heart to know that Margaret now has some slight clue why Greystone is so incredibly important to me.  That's about all I can get out right now through my own joyful tears.   

While the girl was away...

Click here to open in a browser so that videos will show.  

...the boys did play!  Michael's been working in Delaware some, about 10 minutes from Rehoboth Beach, so brilliantly suggested we come up.  

The Bay Bridge is an incredible architectural and engineering masterpiece, impossible to capture while driving.  

When Daddy got off work, we hit the town for a stroll and a dip in the ocean.

 

 Big brother is a perfect shower teacher.  Is Mom off the hook now??

 The boys played in the waves for HOURS on Friday, but a few games of Mancala was a nice way to break-up the day. 

We left our things on the beach to go pick up Michael after work....guess I should have researched the tides more.  A nice couple moved all of our soaked things as the beach created HUGE tidal pools for our evening play.

Lunch in Annapolis on the way home.

 We went to the mountains to play with Dody and Granddaddy a few days before pick-up.  A rainy first day didn't dampen our spirits!  Hard to believe I've been spoiled by these mountains since I was Matthew's age. 

Mom practically has a whole garden on the deck that has blossomed into a beautiful scene.

                                            The Elk River Falls.

We took a new turn on our hike from the falls to the wilderness center in town and found, well, we're not sure what.

 Boys being boys....but why on earth did I take them anywhere near water of any type without their suits on??

 Sunset Park is now a legitimate establishment.  I have mixed feelings about this.  It's a great place to picnic and review the boards that name every NC and TN peak in sight and their elevation, but I remember foraging through the woods to climb on the rock that made us all nervous.  It was like our own secret hide-out to watch sunsets. 

 A lesson with Granddaddy is always helpful...a very patient teacher. 

 Andrew would have hit balls (and well!) for hours while Matthew diligently set up tees and balanced balls on them.  Whatever it takes! 

 ...and a few swings in there, too, for Little Man!

 I think the flowers at the clubhouse...

 ...and their house get more impressive every year.  Stunning!

 Can you tell who has Mommy's phone??

Learning to shoot the BB gun.  A racoon has been after the bird feeders all summer, but our first night there there were two!  Dad was already asleep so I asked for a refresher on the BB gun so I could go 'coon huntin' the next two nights.  And wouldn't you know they didn't return:-(  

 Apparently the ducks are gluten-free now!  No more bread allowed, we have to be prepared with corn and rice.  It seems to suit the swarming animals just fine!

Out for his first few holes after a lesson with Bryce! 

Lalu and Big Rob came up for lunch on Thursday before we departed for Asheville.  What a great effort and lovely to see them for a bit!  

It's fun to have the cousins together, but great to have some quieter time with Dody and Granddaddy, too, in their special place.   Sharing the traditions of the mountains with the next generation is something we all treasure.