Captain's Log: What I learned from my granddaughter

You are in for a treat. In true John Dean style a special Captain's Log. Enjoy

She's wise beyond her year and a half. This is what I've learned so far: 

It's better to be outside if you can. There's lots of interesting stuff outside.

If you're outside, you need to examine the ground. The best way to do this is to just squat down and get your hands into the dirt or water or whatever it is you're squatting in. It might help to taste things once in awhile.

Walk when you can, but if someone offers to push you around in a stroller, that works too.

If things aren't going your way, stomp your foot and make a noise. If nobody notices, then give it up; there are too many other things you could be doing.

When it's nap time, take a nap. Everything else will wait.

When eating, try everything on your plate. If you don't like something just remove it from your mouth and put back on your plate.

If you're walking along and the ground gets so steep that you fall backward, just lie there gazing at the sky until someone helps you up. Even if it takes awhile and you can hear them laughing.

If it's raining, don't run inside. Stand in the rain with your arms spread wide. How awesome is water falling from the sky?

If the flower you are admiring has a bug in it then bonus! It's now even more interesting.

Never pass up a puddle without putting your hands in it and swishing them around. If someone tells you not to sit in it, make sure you do.

If you feel like dancing, then dance, even if you're the only one.

Shop for shoes whenever you can. You never have too many shoes.

If you can reach a button, you should push it. If it does anything, then push it again. If nothing happens, then check back later. You never know.

- John