Saturday, May 31, 2008

Singing In The Rain

Are puddles to be avoided? While I walked around the puddles, Ethan eagerly ran to the puddles and then splashed in them.

He had gleeful joy from letting himself go and splashing in the puddles.

Your socks may get a little wet, but they will dry...Meanwhile you had the joy of splashing in the puddles! But what to do about Grammpy? He never got his socks wet and he didn't splash in the water either.

At some point in time, he's gotta let go and jump in!

Fire Station

What do you do with an energetic 2 year old when it is raining? You take him to the fire station. The firemen were very nice to Ethan. They gave him a helmet to wear. Showed him the inside of the hook and ladder truck and allowed him to climb up and sit in the drivers seat. Ethan got to see a forestry fire truck, pump truck, ladder truck, ambulance, rows of rolled up hoses and fire coats. He got to see the emergency communication system and permission to go wherever he wanted.

I'm glad Ethan took Grammy and me along on his trip to the fire station!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Mosquito Coast

In the woods, you have to pay attention to where you walk because the path winds and twists. Maybe it is the art of staying focused on the path that causes you to forget everthing else that is going on in your life and you seem more aware of nature.

There was a heavy rain yesterday that woke up the Mosquitos. Buddy and I dared to venture into the rain forest.

Whoever said don't let the little things bother you must never have had Mosquitos feast on them.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Memorial Day and the Princess

It is Janelle's first Memorial Day!  It is hard to believe that she is 3 months old already.  I feel like I am aging in dog years, that while she has aged 3 months, I have grown older by 2 years.

Flow

There obviously doesn't appear to be any "flow" issues here!

No delicate "plumbing" issues! A constant steady stream

Memorial Day on the Commons

Ethan is all eyes as he takes in all of the people that came out at 9am in the morning for Memorial Day. From the reading of the Gettysburg Address to the firing of the 21 gun salute, Ethan took it all in.
 
And thru it all, he held his flag tightly.

Flags

Ethan is fascinated with flags. He takes great care to point them out when he sees them. So on Memorial Day, it was special to have a flag that he could hold in his hand. Grammy is showing him how to make a flag "wave".

Memorial Day in Small Town America

This is My Town and how they obseve Memorial Day. There aren't any political speeches or demonstrations but there is solemn dignity, appreciation and gratitute for the sacrifice of all those who have served. From the Revolution to the Current conflicts, all are remembered and honored.

This is our legacy to pass along.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

America's Pastime

The Boston Red Sox have a minor league team in Rhode Island. The team is the Pawtucket Red Sox, they are known as the "Paw-Sox". Tickets are easily affordable and parking is $2. If members of the Red Sox need to be "sent down", this is where they go until they improve.

Baseball teams don't need paid coaches. The baseball stands are full of "coaches" screaming at the players. Telling them what they did wrong, what their ancestors did wrong, what they need to do to improve, and where they will be going in the afterlife.

This is America's pastime!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

What Would Ms Manners Say

Adults don't understand how to eat properly. Drinks with straws are meant for blowing bubbles. Linguine is to be picked up by your hands and then you place one end in your mouth. Then you make a horrible sucking sound as you take in as much linguine as you can in one breath. But since you can't take it all in, the pasta falls limp on your face and pants.

I am learning so many new manners!!

Please Pass the Salt

Everything on a table is fair or unfair game for Ethan. Did you know that if you hold a salt shaker upside down that you can fill a plate with salt? Then, if you blow on the plate you can scatter salt all over the table? Just as Grammy is reaching over to take the salt away!

Even when Ethan's hands aren't moving, they are still faster than mine or Grammy's.

Friday, May 23, 2008

We're Off to See the Wizard

We're off to see the farm animals! I feel like the rusty tin man but Ethan is making sure that I stay on the path!

If you want to know how strong a small child's hand can be, just hold one and that little hand has the power to change you. Those little small hands have the power to melt you, bend you, sway you and make you do anything they want.

I am so fortunate that Ethan doesn't abuse his power over me!

This makes me wonder how my grandfather felt when he took me for walks. I never thought of it before from his perspective.

I can hardly wait to go walking with Eric and Janelle

Pee Wee's Great Adventure

It has duct tape for a seat! It has no gears! It has rusty rims! It even has Fred Flintstone brakes. But, it has a great lock!

The price of gasoline is so high that even this is priceless!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Crank It Up

If you see something that interests you what do you do? If you are a little boy, you go and check it out! If you are an adult you may just dismiss it.

That may explain why "dismiss" contains the word "miss".

I am trying to learn not to miss out, so Ethan is teaching me!

Buddy Power

Before leaving, Ethan had to say goodbye to Buddy. Buddy was already in the car. So Ethan climbed in through the rear and scrambled over to say bye-bye to Buddy.

The importance of a dog to a little boy is amazing.

Ethan understands that a dog is really a four legged little boy that just wants to play.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Debbie and Eric

A beautiful day to be outside! You can see that Debbie and Eric are enjoying being with each other.

There really is a special bond between a mother and child.

You can see the love that Debbie has for Eric! How does God see us?

Heavy Metal

All Ethan needs is a manly truck and his imagination will do the rest. There are no instructions for this game, only an active imagination. Unfortunately, as I grew older, my ability to imagine has disappeared. It is by watching little children that you are able to reconnect to that imagination that you once had.

Ethan found some stones that needed to be hauled away. Notice how the stones are neatly piled and not scattered...He has this natural instinct of order and organization.

When he finishes playing, I think I'll have him balance my check book.

Blue Man Ball

The balls that we play with as little kids are huge!

Why can't golf balls be this size?

Eric's eyes light up as he pushes the ball and sees it roll. Imagine having that kind of strength!

With great joy and little squeals, he crawls after the ball, wherever it may roll.

This becomes the basis for all manly adult games that involve a ball..Man throws ball, Man gets ball...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Boston Garden

This is the time of the year to go to the Boston Gawden. The colors of spring and the swan boats. There is also this statue of George Washington. This was the first in the nation statue of him on a horse. Notice how his mode of transportation is trying to move but is stationary!

Even the first president couldn't get out of the Boston traffic and is forever stuck in the city.

New Appeal

Purchasing is now Materials Management. Personnel is now Human Resources. Budgeting is now Financial Planning. The Red Cross is aware of these changing times and has the following sign in their window asking for donations of platelets.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Perfect Mothers Day

It is impossible to describe how much Faith treasures pictures. Not just any picture, but printed pictures. Those of the digital generation don't understand that printed pictures are more than pictures. They are time capsules. And when you pick them up and feel them in your hands, you are able to re-connect to that moment in time, when those pictures were taken. You don't just see the picture, you feel the picture.

Darcy and Debbie took the kids and had a studio portrait made for Faith. They hit a grandslam with this idea. Here is a picture of the picture. The picture has already received the highest degree of recognition possible by its placement in the center of the mantle. All great works of art are publicly displayed over the family hearth.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Eric the Mover

Eric is growing, moving around and making growling noises. It is amazing how much he is changing. It is fun to see Eric and Ethan together.

Nothing can compare to the sounds of a child, nothing at all.

Dog Catcher

Buddy got tired of playing ball. A 2 year old doesn't understand the concept of being tired or not having enough energy. Ethan was reminding Buddy of the proper way to retrieve the ball.

Flowing Streams

It doesn't matter how old you are, everyone enjoys tossing twigs into the water. You have to keep a watchful eye on your stick to see which way the current carries it. Ethan's stick has just bumped into a rock, and then it spun around several times before the current carried it away. Ethan's gaze is following his stick for as long as he can.

I hope I can always keep my eyes focused on these memories.

Fork in the Road

I was curious which path Ethan would choose. He paused, as he considered which way to go. And then he decided to take the path on the right. After deciding, he was fully committed to his decision as he ran down the path.

Adults may hesitate and not be fully committed to their choices and decisions, but not so for little boys.

Reach

There are some things that you want so much that you are motivated to "reach" for them. Ethan has learned the word "reach" and is saying "reach" as he jumps for the light.

Did you know that a restaurant can also be a discovery museum? For a 2 year old they are. But only when you are in the process of eating.

And you thought restaurants were only for dining!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Magic Bus

Vehicles with colors as bright as a childs imagination! Headlights with eyes and a grille that smiles. All who sit behind this wheel have only happy faces. Maybe if adults could drive these there would be less road rage.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The Boot

In the Urban Jungle there are many obstacles and pitfalls that a commuter must be careful to avoid. The wise commuter should not park illegally in front of the Bureau of Traffic Fines while they go inside to pay a fine.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Pink Ears for Janelle

I love this picture of Janelle, the little pink outfit and the big ears! It is fun to see her growing up! She is only 2 months old, but already you can see her changing. If I could put time in a bottle, I would like to remember all of these precious moments with the grandchildren. We know how short this time and we want to enjoy every minute of it!

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Mr Dirt

My mother dropped by to show the car she just got. Unfortunately, she made the tactical error of opening the car doors. She didn't see Mr Dirt playing in the dark earth of the garden. And whenever there is an open car door Buddy thinks it is an invitation to go for a car ride. Ahh, nothing like cleaning up paw prints from a car seat!

Goosed

Ethan had some bread in his hand. The neighborhood welcoming committee was prepared to take by force, any bread that he had. Ethan learned that "Aflack" translated means "Get the Kid"!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Finger Food

When a man is hungry, he is hungry!!

Godzilla may be able to eat Tokyo, but Eric can eat Landrovers!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

A Square with Unequal Sides

This is Powderhouse Square. It is named after this munitions depot that the British maintained and which the colonists seized during the revolution.

It is also a very large traffic rotary and is called a "square"! Get it?? In Massachusetts any traffic intersection that is a rotary, or a triangle, or a trapazoid, can be called a "square". Got it?? I think that in order to attain the status of a "square" that this has to be a dangerous intersection and you are "squaring" off against the road.

Lost in Translation

Have you noticed that new signs are no longer using the word "free"?
Previous signs have indicated that 911 calls are free. This was replaced by signs that indicated no charge. We have now evolved to the current sign of no coin required. Whatever happened to the word "free", that it is being eliminated?