Author: Lynn McKeown

Having to start all over again is very hard. But I will build, and teach kids as long as I can!
I had some new kids today – John (7) and his sister Alexandra (10) from Rockville, MD; and sisters Sophia (13) and Julia (almost 11).
But the BEST surprise was looking behind me to find a great castle, being built by none other than the famous Sandcastle Dude’s brother in law, Gregg, and Gregg’s daughter, Ella (5 1/2) from Glenside, PA!
My castle is not very tall, but very sincere! Hopefully, taller tomorrow.
John (7) from Rockville, MD, and his castle today

Ella (5 1/2) was the architect for this castle, where she helped her Dad, Gregg. They are from Glenside, PA

This is my castle today, small, but sincere.

Here’s Sophia (13) Alexandra (10), and Julia (almost 11), with their team castle. They are all from Rockville, MD

Lots of kids playing, and borrowing sandcastle molds, buckets and shovels, but none of them built – just played!
So – just my castle today. There is a Coast Guard boat anchored offshore – looked like it was a training day for the guys aboard.

It was WONDERFUL to see Dimitri and Alexandria’s girls come back to my beach!
Olga is their youngest, just turned 2. Next is Vera, 7 years old; Roxanna, 10; and Mila is 12. Each of the three older girls built their own castle (but I wasn’t quick enough to get their photos!
I was able to get a photo of Isabelle, 6; her Dad, Paul, and her brother Dylan, from Leesburg, VA, with their castle of yesterday.
I had to work very hard today, to get the sand back up, to build today’s castle. If you looked at my castle from yesterday, you’ll see the difference.
At the end of the day, I had Ella, 6, from Bethedsda, Maryland, and Aidan 6, from Potomac, Maryland building.
It was a good day on the beach, for sure!
Paul, Isabelle 6, and Dylan 4 – from Leesburg, VA

Ella 6, from Bethesda, MD, and Aidan 6, Potomac, MD
Roxanna, 10 years old – her castle

Mila, 12 years old; her castle

Vera, 6 years old – her castle

My castle today, not finished – but maybe tomorrow?

What a disappointment this morning, to find every single castle smashed to the ground!
A new family arrived, and built for the first time today. Paul (Dad) and his daughter Isabelle (6), from Leesburg (Northern Virginia) had a fantastic start on their castle. Hopefully, they’ll come back to finish.

My castle turned out to be a very flat fort of sorts. (I can only scoop so much sand and water up in a day.)
my very flat fort castle today

Paul (Dad) and Isabelle’s (6) castle start

I can’t tell you how much I am missing Rachel, Roxanne, Laynie and Charlie (and even Gracie!)
I really miss a new friend, Evelyn Ann, from Rutland, Vermont, who had to go home, but left me the sweetest note <3 Please keep in touch, Evelyn Ann! Only my castle today - hopefully more kids, more castles tomorrow.
My castle today, with the ferry and the Kalmar Nykel in the background.

Kevin – one of my favorite guys came by today, to say hi!
He and his cousin, Ashley used to come and build castles. Kevin will be teaching High School Physics at Lake Forest, his alma mater. So glad to see him again!

It was wonderful to see old friends – brothers Alex (14) and Logan (11) from Baltimore, MD. More old friends who came today were brothers Daniel (8) Sam (11)and their cousin Brydon (12) from Washington, DC.
Sad to say goodbye to Kaitlyn (6) and her brother Andrew (3) from Stormville, NY

Alex and Logan’s mountain side castle

Daniel, Sam, and Brydon/just home from Ballet Camp!

Goodbye to Kaitlyn, going home to New York
In front of my castle

My castle

Roxanne and Rachel, with their castle today, named Paradise

Laynie, Roxanne and Rachel, with Paradise revisited

Kaitlyn 6, with her castle today

My castle is on the left, with Laynie, Charlie, Roxanne and Rachel STILL working! Kaitlyn is watching

When I see these amazing kids on the beach, it makes my heart so happy!
They are creative, sweet, polite, and just amazing!
Kaitlyn 6, from Leetown, NY/caption] Charlie, Rachel, and Hawaiian castle

Gracie, Rachel, Charlie and Hawaiian castle

Roxanne, Rachel, Charlie, Ruby, and me – with their “Hawaiian castle

Roxanne, Charlie, Rachel, Ruby with Rachel’s Hawaiian castle
Roxanne, Lanie with Sponge Bob Square Pants Bikini Bottom sandcastle

We walked down to the beach this morning, and found that every single one of the kids’ castles, and mine were destroyed. Very sad and disappointing. I’ve been here since August 5, and we’ve had good kids/people. They must have just come down. I sure hope they go home, and never come back.