Fantasy

She clutches the pretty pink box and stares at it's contents. Inside the box is a princess crown and other items of royalty for a princess. The items inside the box have been secured with wire. Each item has 10 feet of wire that is looped thru holes in the box, tied in knots and the steel ends twisted a thousand times. Grampy Santa always brings his Swiss army knife for these events.

I Gotta Go

Ethan wanted to come with me to walk Buddy. Then he wanted to bring the sled. Then he wanted to be pulled in the sled up the hills and then ride down the hills. He had a great time riding solo. After the first time of sitting down, he was ready to do stunts.

And then it happened. Wearing his fifty pounds of winter jacket, gloves, boots and sweater, he turns to me and says "I Gotta Go".

The Car Wash

We had to wash the road salt off of the car. I had him hold the spray gun and then I told him to pull the trigger. I wasn't prepared for what happened next. The water came out with such force that it spun him around. Then he started screaming and shouting Woot Woot! He was energized like a giant sugar rush. And went running and blasting the car with water. He was quite sad when the time expired and the water shut off. It was a man moment.

White Christmas

Some people dream of a white Christmas, some wish for it, but I have it. He wanted to go sledding down the hill, walk the golf course in the snow, track the footprints of animals left on the snow, guess which animals made the prints, roll down the hill, and slide down the hill on his bum.

Grampy learned that it isn't wise to to turn your back to a little boy that has snow in his hands.

Reading

Stories come alive when Grammy reads them. Characters and heroes are each carefully explained. The historical and geographical importance of places and things are carefully described.

Little minds are like sponges, they thirst for the water of knowledge.

Imagination

I see so many toys and games these days that are of the digital variety. Children only learn how to use these types of games and it seems that there is little room for a child to use their imagination. But if you can imagine a design for your train tracks and then build it, why then you have to show that off to Grampy.

Chocolate Covered Donut

What is better than having a chocolate covered donut with your friends? Mr Tickles is a very special Teddy Bear. A special friend that needs to be rewarded by a trip to the donut shop, just because, he is always there for you.

Rocky

At Porter Square, the steps to the subway descend at a 90 degree angle deep. So deep into the middle of the earth that you pass hobbits when you climb down. It is so steep and strenuous of a climb that a local martial arts class has their students put their jackets and shirts in a corner and go up and down the stairs for exercise.

Little Drummer Boy

He has a new drum set that he had to show me. He proudly sat down, picked up the drum sticks and started to play the drums and the cymbals. Suddenly, I remembered when my boys were playing guitars and drums, and the noise. I remember the kid next door who got a trumpet and would practice playing unstructured music out his window facing my house. But who really cares about the noise, it's all about the music.

Sleeping Beauty

She pointed out each princess on the bed frame and told me their name. Then she climbed into bed and with a wink of her eye, she was off to dream land. Dreams can come true if you sleep in a princess bed.

Glacial Time

I'm not saying that he is a slow eater, only that a glacier moves faster. Unfortunately for me, I was already finished by the time he got around to picking up a slice of pizza to eat. Before the food could be eaten, questions had to be asked about what I was eating, why was I eating what I was eating, what was in what I was eating.

Then, he had to laugh at what I was eating.

Happy Ever After

Children don't require a phd in literature to understand "happy ever after". Three little words that express hope and confidence in the future. May you always be, Happy Ever After.

Apple Cider Donuts

America may run on Dunkin but we run on Apple Cider donuts. And run he did! He helped Grampy give Buddy a bath. I left the wet dog in the shower stall so he could shake, while I got the towels ready. Imagine my surprise when he stands on the bed and calls the dog. Who obediently came running out of the stall to shake all over us and the bedroom.

Hitting The Road

She wears a bunny hat and large pink Princess sunglasses.

Her faithful travel companions of Birdie the parrot and Eagle the owl ride with her in the car seat.

She will be a great world leader someday and rule from a magical kingdom.

Fields Of Gold

Summer is over and fall is here, but a gift has been given us to experience one more day in the sun. But unlike summer, there is no humidity today and the temperature is perfect.

It is a day to celebrate and to kick up our heels and the leaves.

Rocks Are For Climbing

Sticks are for throwing in the stream and then following their journey down the stream.

Rocks are for climbing and then watching the journey of the child as they slide down the rock.

Two For The Road

Is it a tractor pull or the pull of the tractor that is so irresistible to kids?

She'll never pass the Massachusetts drivers test if she keeps both hands on the steering wheel. That's how people from out of state drive.

Boys And Bikes

He told me that he likes motorcycles. So I took him to the Harley Davidson dealer. He was in hog heaven. He had lollipops given to him on each aisle, helmets to look at and so many different styles and colors of motorcycles to see and touch. He was treated as a very important person, which made his day. It was a very exciting visit!

The Goblet Of Acorn Fire

I showed him how to use the acorn top as a whistle. He puffed up his cheeks and he blew into the acorn top, but alas, there was no whistle sound.

Sometimes we give it our all, and still don't get the results we desire. But children have the wonderful ability to keep trying, and not to give up.

Tree Hugger

Trees used to be obstacles. When you encountered a fallen tree that was bigger than you, you turned around and walked away. Now, they are fun to climb over. Throwing sticks in the water and watching the ripples as they come back to shore.

The woods is an open book for children to learn from. And one where they write the pages from their own experiences.

Explorers

When you go for a walk in the woods you have to have a walking stick! You also need to climb over trees that have fallen down.

When three year olds climb over trees, they stop at the top and turn themselves around so they go down feet first.

It is good advice to always have your feet firmly planted.

iPad The Babysitter

Sometimes your getup and go, just gets up and goes. That's when iPad the babysitter steps in. The rear leg of the dog provides the proper support for the iPad. And with video streaming, Caillou appears to save Grampy. Better living thru technology!

Rome Was Destroyed In A Day

With grandchildren has come great understanding. I realize that military strategies of the past have been poorly planned.

If you really want to destroy your enemy, drop a dozen kids behind enemy lines. They will completely destroy them.

Traffic Management Strategies

Massachusetts is famous for it's traffic rotaries. Rather then waste taxpayer money on stop signs, a large rotary is constructed. A traffic rotary is a hamster wheel that has been laid on it's side.

Hamsters, people, and cars can't get off of the circle.

Which Way To Oz

The scarecrow is pointing the way to the Emerald city. But Eric is pointing the way to cider donuts, apples and carmel apples.

The power of tasty food is more powerful than the flying monkeys of Oz.

Fords And Can't Affords

It's an old ford tractor at the apple orchard. It may have worked hard back in the day in the apple orchard. But it really takes a beating at the hands of little kids. They climb all over it. Slap the gears. And pretend that they are driving the Indy 500 and not a tractor.

It appears that tractors, like people, suffer greatly at the destructive hands of kids.

At Last! He Arrived!

Brendan arrived on October 17, 2010, weighing in at 9 lb 9 oz. Both he and mom are doing well.

When you hold a newborn infant, you realize how very wonderful the gift of life is and how very precious it is.

New Big Brother

Eric just became a big brother. He celebrated by climbing to the top of the jungle gym.

When I was a boy, we didn't have indoor jungle gyms. We had dead trees in the woods to walk across and to jump over. The live trees were for climbing and for swinging on.

I like the indoor gyms a lot better!

The Magic Carpet

This is a very magical carpet. It transports kids to far away lands, and to different times. Just by sitting on this carpet, you can be a drummer with the Jonas brothers, work with Handy Mandy, build railroads and be whatever you want to be.

But one of the very best things is being able to step on your cousins project! Priceless!!

Pink Is A Fall Color

The Princess loves to dress like a Princess, even when going to the apple orchard. I was told that birds of the air made her dress. And you know, I believe it.

Fall In New England

The air is crisp and so are the apples. The kids kick at the leaves and send them scattering into the air. Then they scream as the leaves fall down around them. There is hot apple cider, cider donuts, and hot apple crisp. It's a great place to be.

Urban Planning

It takes a true visionary to look out at the landscape before him and to visualize it's possibilities. Some see sand, surrounded by walls, boxed in. Sort of like, sand in a box. But some see sand castles with underground tunnels.

But I only see tons of sand to clean up out of my car.

Rock Climbers

Two years ago Ethan couldn't climb this rock. At that time, he tried to climb it from it's steepest position and couldn't climb it.

But now he has improved problem solving skills. He walked around to the side of the rock where he was able to establish a foothold and climb up.

Sometimes in life, all it takes is to see things from a different perspective to make us overcome our obstacles.

My Big Brother

The Princess really adores her big brother. She wants to do whatever he is doing and play with whatever he is playing with. He sometimes thinks that she is copying him and competing with him. But he is able to handle any competition and can quickly immerse himself in something else.

I watch and I realize that I have a lot to learn from him.

The Pumpkin Patch

There are songs that can transport you back to your youth. There are smells and fragrances that can bring back memories and make them seem like you are reliving them.

But if you want to bring the past into the present, then go to a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard.

I have yet to see any sad faces leaving the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood met Mary's Little Lamb at the real school house from Sterling, Massachusetts.

Two little people that are literary giants.

Clothes Horse

Buddy got the Princess's socks all wet from being in his jaws. Grammy cleaned and dried them but the Princess had her own idea on how to dry her socks.

By the end of the day, everyone and everything will be wearing pink!

The Destroyer

The Destroyer shall come from the north, and shall desolate the Beall house.

I came back from shopping and asked Grammy what happened? She looked at me and said "the destroyer"!

The Beat Of Time

Almost twenty years ago, you could hear me yelling "keep it down!", as the boys would jam with their band. The band broke up, the boys grew up and moved out, but the drums remained.

Recently, the grandchildren have been allowed to go into the basement. And to their astonishment, they discovered a drum set that has been perfectly preserved, just for them.

Grampy has learned that a quiet house is not a home.

Chief Eric

Is it a wigwam or is it a teepee? Grampy had to ponder the question. But with the sudden clarity of purpose that a politician has when their popularity ratings drop, I turned and said "yes".

Just Chocolate

The waitress asked him if he wanted a drink, and he said no. She asked him if he wanted food, and he replied,"just chocolate".

Grampy had to step in and and tell the waitress that it was his personal philosophy. That all he needs is "just chocolate".

Seeing Double

A very magic glass that let's you see another little boy that looks just like you!

I told him that it was his reflection in a mirror, but he knew better and just said "nooo".

Car In The Water

At 6:45 this morning, I saw a car that was partially submerged in a pond. I stopped and discovered that the driver of the car was still in the car. The car was teetering on the edge of the pond so I had to move quickly to get her out of the car. After she was safely out, I called 911 to get additional assistance. She said that a deer jumped out of the woods and she swerved to avoid it and landed in the pond.

My nerves are rattled, it's too early in the morning for this.

How To Feed A Princess

It is absolutely essential that she has a pink spoon. Failure to comply with this will result in a royal meltdown.

While not essential, it is preferred that favorite stuffed animals be invited to the table.

Little Boys And Allergies

Allergies can be tough on little boys. That's why you need a good friend like Mr Tickles who will stand by you in those tough moments and help you through.

Walking On Water

It has been a hot and humid summer. The water level of this pond has shrunk to such a low level, that two girls walked out to the middle of it.

Buddy would bark every time one of the girls would step into the mud and scream.

Artist At Work

The creative art process requires the proper amount of pink paints and fairies that need to be painted. I didn't respond fast enough when she called me, so she tapped me with her paint brush to get my attention.

I discovered that water colors require only a small amount of water to create a large smudge on your clothes.

Tree Swinging

Be Careful What You Ask For

There was a children's story that was being told. The storyteller asked how do we keep our bodies clean. Ethan replied by peeing and pooping. Yes, then there was that wonderful awkward moment of silence followed by adults removing their glasses and wiping their eyes.

Walking With Grammy

It was a great day for walking in the woods. Whose woods these are, I think I know, but his house is in the village though...

Birdie

The Princess has a stuffed bird that she named "birdie". The car can't leave the driveway unless birdie is safely aboard. This bird is like a weekend at bernie's. No matter what you do to the bird it keeps coming back and reappearing.