Cape Cod Chips

When at the Cape, you must see the best food export from Hyannis. Cape Cod chips has a self-guided tour of their production plant. There are free samples at the end. It is not wise to have a retail store at the end of a tour, so instead, there is a gift shop.

Don't you just love marketing language?

The Outdoor Shower

Behold! The outdoor shower! Behind these doors lie unspeakable horrors. The summer rental has two full bathrooms, a dishwasher and a washing machine. Grampy was in the outdoor shower. I finally got the water temperature perfect. When others decided to use the indoor showers.

Apparently, the outdoor shower is the last in priority for hot water, when the shower water turned from perfect to ice cold.

You could hear me screaming all the way to Boston.

Straws

Straws are made for blowing bubbles. Straws can also be used to spear limes or lemons.

Grampy will have to show him how to use straws for spitballs! I can hardly wait!

Chatham Beach

Right across from the lighthouse is this beautiful beach.

Chatham is a beautiful town that will sure to make you fall in love with old Cape Cod.

To get there, all you have to do is follow the trail of money.

Chatham Lighthouse

If you go to the cape you have to see a lighthouse. Everyone goes to see the Chatham lighthouse.

Bumbo

Janelle put her bum in the bumbo.

Great child seat that helps them to sit up. Never had these when I was growing up.

Fresh Water Taffy

Who cares about the ocean and salt water? It can't compare to the attraction of a fresh water puddle on the deck. Grammy watered the plants and created the perfect conditions for puddle splashing and water prints.

The Shoulder

Highways have shoulders to rest on. Grampy has shoulders for children and grandchildren to rest upon.

Tarzan

You can take the kid out of the city, but you can't take the kid out of the old man.

All Hands On Deck

Eric is growing up so fast! He is having fun exploring the deck and the backyard. He is playing on the swingin tire and playing with his cousin Ethan. Life is Good!

Great White

There was a confirmed Great White sighting at the Cape. It had strayed from its normal feeding grounds of Central Massachusetts. The residents were warned to hide their food, as it will eat anything.

The Mermaid

There was a mermaid that was on the beach! Grammy was funny wearing seaweed!

Hammock Time

What is a summer rental without a hammock? Jonathan and Darcy get to swing in the hammock! There are no mood swings in a hammock, all is good!

On the Deck

David, Debbie and Eric are relaxing on the deck! It is great to get away to the Cape!

Swinging Good Time

Summer rental, two blocks from the ocean, central AC and a Tire Swing! David and Debbie put Eric on the swing and he had an amazing time! The backyard is filled with wonderful fun for kids, both big and small.

I Speak Toddler

I have become fluent at speaking toddler. If they grunt, I know what they mean. If they join their words together, it is no problem. I am a walking rosetta stone.

I hope that I never loose these language skills.

Car and Driver

Nintendo has a new NASCAR driver. Ethan is refining his driving skills while at the Cape. He has driven the car into Grampy and under Grampy.

It has an electric horn that makes Grampy jump. Because I hear it, but can't see it.

Spin Cycle

Grampy got stuck in the spin cycle in the hammock! I was lucky that Ethan was on guard duty and came over to save me.

It wasn't a pretty sight seeing Grampy spin and then get flipped out!

Summer Vacation

Summer vacation travel is the time for road construction, traffic delays from summer concerts and long lines to the bridge.

People will sit in their cars waiting to move. They will think that they see the ocean, smell the salt water and see seagulls!

There is a transition that occurs on the road. The road with all of its problems, causes us to vent all of our frustrations. So that when you reach your destination you have had it and are finally in a vacation state of mind.

Teething

I finally learned how we grow up. We eat our way up! And don't get in the way or you will be eaten!

There is great celebration when the first tooth appears. For you think that the next stage of solid foods is at hand. But then you realize that teething brings pain and crying.

New parents soon learn that the pain and crying is far greater for the parents.

Regional Treasure

Beneath the weeds and under your feet are the foundations of a button mill. This mill closed from competition from other button mills in Clinton and Leominster.

Check out the town historical society where you walk. You may find hidden treasure to explore.

Foundations

In the 1740's, this land belonged to the Fye family of Bolton. Later on, they damed this water for their comb mill. This later became a button mill. It lasted for 10 years. The land would eventually change from a farm to the summer estate of Helen Plummer, a descendent of the Fye family. She then gave 31acres of the remaining land to the town as conservation land.

When you walk through the woods and know the history of the land it has much more meaning.

The foundations of the button mill still stand as do the foundations of our heritage.

Trees Without Limbs

In the Urban and Concerte Jungle, trees have no limbs!

Children have to take class trips to the suburbs to see these strange things called "branches" that appear to grow on trees. In the Urban Jungle, dogs can't even find these trees!

If you train up a tree in the way it should go...

Watchful Eye

He watches over us. At night he guards the house and the bedrooms. During the day, he keeps the mailman away from the door. He is always on the job and his eyes are constantly scanning those around us.

Those of questionable character will be probed by his cold nose!

Time

There is play time, bed time, story time, meal time, nap time and soon vacation time. Do you think we learn the concept of time early?

Grampy had a fun time reading to Eric. It is fun to watch the excitement in a child's eyes as they pick out the animals in the story book.

3 Reasons to Come For a Visit

Ah! Nothing like an Adirondack Chair with a view of the ocean. The Adirondack chair was designed by Thomas Lee in 1903. He was on vacation in Westport, NY and needed outdoor chairs for his summer home. He tested the first designs on his family. Why do people test their ideas on their families? If you were on vacation, would you use your vacation time to whip up chair designs for guests?

If you want to experience peace for the body, mind and soul, (3 chairs), this is the place. Sit in these chairs, have an iced tea, and the sounds of the ocean and the sunshine and ocean air, will make you feel like a new person!

The Good Life

Labs and Golden Retrievers were made for the water. There is something relaxing and peaceful about seeing a dog on a boat.

A Dog's Life is described as the difficulties it encounters in helping it's owner achieve a better life.

I think that this dog has succeeded! I'm going to talk to my dog and ask him why he hasn't got me a boat!

Independence

Ethan has gone from playing with salad tongs to actually using them. The big boy put salad on everybody's plate.

I miss having food thrown at me.

Strong Woman

It takes a strong woman to be a mother! A lot of lifting, bending and lugging around. It was nice to see Janelle enjoying the outdoors and the farm animals!

Makeup Artist

See what happens when men play with makeup?

We had a lot of fun just making funny faces!

The Perfect Presidential Candidate

Are you still an undecided voter? A new presidential candidate has appeared on the water park and animal farm platform.

He is environmentally green, a human rights activist, an animal rights activist, a vegetarian and a card carrying member of the corn dog party.

He promises to replace the weak dollar with a new monetary standard, water. Other countries will be willing to trade to obtain our water parks, and our pure water. Such a simple strategy!

Day at the Farm

Forget about bottled water, Eric had bottled milk. There were farm animals, playgrounds, water parks, french fries, but most of all, there was mom.

Children can have fun with their grandparents, but it is more fun when mom or dad are there!

Indiana Jones

This is Indiana Jones and the Tunnels of Davis Farms.

When you watch a child climb ladders, crawl through tunnels and exit down slides, you are watching a living Discovery Show!

How much of learning occurs when we dare to try new things and dare to venture where we haven't been before. Which comes first, daring to discover? Or self discovery?

First Water Park Journey

Eric was very brave at the water park. When I carried him through the squirting water, he became speechless. After the second time, he wanted more!

If we know how things will end, we seem to enjoy the journey all the more! And you know what, your grandchildren seem to trust that you will know how things will end.

Chicken Soup for the Soul

No war paint for us. Only flowers and hearts. Although there were some kids that had painted skulls and swords on their chests.

There was a lot of silly laughing involved in painting our faces. I mean, guys with makeup!

There can never be enough silly laughing. It is Chicken Soup for the Soul!!

Extreme Makeover

At Davis Farmland, they have face painting. The boys were hesitant about doing this. So I went first. I suppose there are some doors that just shouldn't be opened.

I hope pantyhose isn't next!

Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy

In the untamed wild west of the family room, Eric is breaking in a wild stallion.

What Eric doesn't know, is that this is my second childhood. I had to be a father when my boys were little. That's why I can enjoy his childhood as much as he can!

Panty Raid

Eric is helping Grammy with the laundry.

He especially enjoys pulling panties from the laundry. Then shaking them and yelling.

This is a skill that could assist him on his college entrance applications and in dormitory life!

The Male Stripper

Eric's birthday party had everything. Even a male stripper!

Ethan was showing his moves to a young lady that had just put a dollar bill in his diaper.

The Weary Man

We are very proud of our boys and of the husbands and fathers that they have become.

It is very hard work being a parent. A little child takes all of your energy, time and attention.

All of which can make you weary. And having a big birthday party, well that can just exhaust you.

Born In The USA

Eric celebrated his first birthday! The year has certainly flown by so fast!

All of the young ladies came over to help him celebrate. Kids get to wear such cool looking clothes. Bright colors and neat decorations.

How do we evolve from this to white shirts with ties?

Social Responsibility

This is an important social message that needs to be communicated.

If you don't tell your cat, who will??

Fat Belly

If you had a bar and grill, what would you name it? Would you name it after yourself? Would you name it a steak house?

Or would you name it for what it does to you after you have eaten?

Easy Rider

Eric turned 1 year old and he was born to ride.

There are no helmet laws in the family room. Eric really enjoyed being on the bike, pulling at the streamers and playing with the bell.

If I had a bike, I think I would like to have streamers and a bell on it!

Pure Thoughts

Eric is showing us how to create pure thoughts, by using a strainer!

I did not know that Tupperware could be used to strain and filter even our thoughts!

Ride m' Cowboy

Ethan was showing off his riding skills. He was riding side saddle, jumping over the horse, rocking maddly and of course, riding on his knees.

If you put a little boy on a wooden horse, don't expect him to sit on it. He will create positions you didn't even think possible!