GILROY
– A week at grandma and grandpa’s house involves much more than
splashing in the pool for Rosie and Ron Kinoshita’s 10
grandchildren.
GILROY – A week at grandma and grandpa’s house involves much more than splashing in the pool for Rosie and Ron Kinoshita’s 10 grandchildren.
For the past four years, the Kinoshitas have hosted “cousin camp” the week after Father’s Day to give their two sons and two daughters time without the kids and allow the cousins to build lasting memories together.
”When I think back to my childhood, the best times were getting together with my cousins,” Ron said. “We thought we would keep the tradition so they grow close over the years.”
The house may be full, but both grandparents use their experience as teachers to organize the kids, who range in age from 7 to 14. Ron retired last year from Gilroy High School and Rosie runs the preschool “Rosie’s Busy Bees” out of her home. She begins planning the curriculum for the cousin camp as soon as her students leave for the summer.
The kids take advantage of the in-house classroom, where they write in their journals, complete art projects and play games. During free time they can relax in the pool, watch movies and play video games. While the camp is designed in the name of fun, the cousins also are expected to help their grandparents with the chores. They are rewarded for good behavior with daily prizes. The overall feel of the week has changed only slightly over the years because the cousins enjoy the schedule.
Ron’s favorite part of the week is the annual field trip to Villa Rose Care Home in Morgan Hill, where he plays guitar as the children sing. They even make T-shirts to mark the special occasion. After the performance, the kids present each of the residents with a stuffed animal.
“We’ve been singing these songs since before cousin camp. Some are so cute that the residents just start laughing,” Rosie said, adding that they also give the home a photograph to remember the afternoon.
They also try to plan another field trip such as a visit to Chevy’s, Bonfante Gardens, arcades or Gilroy High School for a baseball game.
“I can still hit the ball, I couldn’t believe it,” Rosie said.
The week culminates with a final dinner and performance which the cousins prepare for their parents. This year the whole family will enjoy a hamburger feast before sitting down to watch the cousins’ homemade horror movie.
The Kinoshitas, who will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary on Saturday, never have trouble staying energized for the kids.
“We just keep going all day; I don’t know how we do it,” Rosie said. “When the kids aren’t here it’s another story because there’s no one to keep us going.”
They hope to keep the camp going for at least a few more years.
“Having them all together is hard work but it’s paradise,” Ron said. “We really enjoy it.”
