Monday, July 21 (Cape May)

A great beach day. 

Morning: I went for a 4-mile bike ride. Greta and Andrew went for a run. Andrew and I went to the beach to set up the canopies etc around 10. 

Morning/Afternoon: It was a lovely time on the beach. The kids continued intense ocean engagement, mainly boogie boarding. There has been a lot of Spike Ball, which Molly brought this year as a new addition, and some paddle ball. I got into the ocean and made the mistake of turning my back as a large wave approached--it knocked me under. My sunglasses are now claimed by the ocean. Andrew was right next to me and pulled me up. 

We saw an incredible number of dolphins today--more than ever before, and many very close to shore. Some were even leaping out of the water in the wake of a dolphin-cruise boat. There were so many dolphins that it became almost too many dolphins. 

Afternoon: In an effort to maximize our time, after we all showered post-beach, we went into town for pre-dinner shopping and ice cream. Lucia and Greta each bought a sweatshirt, their annual purchase. Lucia chose dark green this year. Greta was paralyzed by indecision but ultimately chose a navy blue sweatshirt with white printing. Then we had Kohr's.

Evening: Molly led us all in the 2025 BeachKraft: elaborate God's eyes. They are intricate and beautiful and we had varying degrees of success. We'll continue to work on them.

We walked to the beach at sunset time. We can't actually see the sunset from where we are, but the sky was very pretty. 

Later evening: Andrew grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for a very late dinner, and Jeremy boiled corn from a farm stand. 

The kids made a movie yesterday, featuring a drug-dealer plot as per usual. Mom made a cameo as the "Italian Shortie," a phrase that originated during our drive here, when our Wawa receipt included an "Italian shortie" sub. When we were sorting out who had ordered what, Lucia asked Mom in a neadlessly aggressive voice, "What did YOU get, Gra? The ITALIAN SHORTIE?" 

No time for a game tonight. We pack in as much as we can.