Bear Necessities

On Cape Cod, even shopping for tee shirts is a fantasy filled adventure.

A little princess met a singing bear, who entertained her so much that she didn't want to leave, so that we could spend more.

I think that bear has a lot of honey in the bank.

Bourne Again

Ah yes, there's nothing like waiting to get over the Bourne Bridge to start your summer vacation.

There was only an eight mile traffic backup to go over the bridge.

There is a new invasive weed called the "mile a minute" weed", it grows at the rate of six inches a day. It made it over the bridge before me.

How To Fill A Pool

I have an above ground pool that can also be used as a sandbox. So when the heat index goes up, the sand goes out and the water goes in.

The Princess pretends not to notice me as she fills the pool with water. As soon as she sees me turn my head away, she turns the hose on me. I wonder where she learned that kind of behavior?

Otters

Otters have fun! They do amazing tricks in the water. They swim like Olympians, when they turn in the water and use their feet to propel themselves off of the wall.

When they swim to the left side of the tank or the right side, Eric ran with them.

When kids like something, they don't want to leave. And you know, you never should leave the things that you enjoy.

Moose On The Loose

We discovered some moose antlers at the museum.

The next thing I heard was "Grampy, a moose on the loose"!

A Man Of Science

Discovery museums for children are a great concept. Children get to interact, hands on, with gadgets that stimulate their minds and imaginations.

Eric got to look thru a microscope that had different slides of soil samples from around the region.

Very cool science!

Happy Birthday Eric

Oh to be three, and to be free. To celebrate your birthday surrounded by friends and family and bask in the attention of their love.

Driveways Are For Learning

These days it seems that things begin in driveways. Kids learn to ride their bikes in the driveways. The driveway is the only surface around the house that you can bounce balls on.

Driveways are also the easels of life for kids to learn how to draw. All you need is some colored chalk.

Art

What is it Grampy? It's an art sculpture. What is sculpture? It is art. But what is it? It is a Tree of Light.

Then he looked up at me and said, that's not a tree!

Keep Looking Up

Take one step at a time. Hold on to the railing above you. Never look down.

And always, keep looking up!

Swimming With A Princess

She loves to dress like a princess.

Even when she walked to the wadding pool, she had to wear her Cinderella heels and of course, her tiara.

You see the hopes and the dreams of children and you become energized with their energy and enthusiasm. They have so much positive energy that they impart it to the adults.

The Mysteries Of The Sprinkler

It is the simple things that attract kids. I have a little kiddie wadding pool and the big attraction was watching Grampy fill it with the hose.

I revealed to them the secrets of the universe by showing them how far you could shoot water by putting your thumb over the end of the hose.

Little people then tried to apply knowledge gained from the thumb over the end of the hose, for improving the watering distance of sprinklers.

Their distance improving theory involved placing their thumbs over the sprinkler head. I wonder where they got that idea?

Explorers

Explorers love to explore. Every new thing they discover is followed with "Grampy, come see this"! Which is then followed by "Grampy, what is it"? Which is then followed by "Grampy, can I take it home"?

They bring their questions and their concerns to me. I pause as I ponder their weighty questions and then I say to them "Go ask Grammy"!

Rock Stairs

Kids love to climb rocks. And when steps have been made out of stones, well you have to go up and down them several times.

Fences Are Meant To Be Climbed

The true purpose of a fence, is not to keep people and animals out or to keep them in.

The true purpose of a fence is to provide climbing opportunities for kids.

I especially enjoyed the partial climb. Then, while holding on with one hand, you use your body to make the entire fence sway. Yeah, that was a moment for Grampy. I thought all of the departed spirits of past New England authors would rise up against me.

T-Rex Eating Pizza

When you take children out to eat, you learn so many things.

I looked over and saw Ethan bent down. He was eating his pizza without using his hands. I asked him why he wasn't using his hands.

He replied that he was a T-Rex!