Friday, June 20, 2025

Summer Reading - The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boy's Adventures!

   

If you have young children in your life, then you know how important it is to read books to them - it sets them up for a lifetime of learning - and it is just fantastic to snuggle together and read a book together at bedtime - or anytime! I read many books to my children and most recently to my grandsons when they were little, and we enjoyed making up our own stories, too!

Summer Outdoor Fun!

 

As I browsed on Pinterest one day, I noticed the plans for making a giant outdoor games . . . so I took a closer look! The games look like they would be great fun for a family to play on a warm summer day! Set them up on a deck, driveway, sidewalk . . . and then have fun all summer long!

Thursday, June 19, 2025

A Family of Her Own for Candy

   

The summer of 2022 my husband, grands, and I went to the Humane Society to get a kitten. I wanted my grands to go with us because, first of all, they love all animals, secondly I wanted to be sure whatever cat we got was one which was able to be around them without being aggressive. We spent some time at the Humane Society and finally settled on a very sweet calico - which we named Candy, because she is sweet (and my middle grand said she reminded him of candy corn.) 

Family Fun in the Lena Meijer Children's Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Yesterday I posted about a "Hidden Treasure" at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - the Stuart and Barbara Padnos Roof Top Sculpture Garden - you will find my post at this link. Today I want to write about two of the particularly wonderful, much-loved-by-children features in the Lena Meijer Children's Garden - the Great Lakes Garden and a summer little "splash pad" inside the circle of children sculptures to your left as you enter the Children's Garden. First let me tell you about the amazing Great Lakes Garden . . .

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Summer Reading - illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books

 

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book for which you need to provide the illustrations, you may think it is not the book for you. But, in this case with the illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books,   nothing could be farther from the truth! These books give you the unique opportunity to engage with the children you love in ways you never have when you read a book about a real Bible person, since you and/or they will be providing the illustrations. This means you get to talk about what is happening, think through what the Bible person is saying, and basically really pay attention to the details so you are able to provide the illustrations! Just think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have about the Bible people and how what they learned applies to you as well! These books are no ordinary Bible person storybook!

A "Hidden" Treasure at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - the Stuart and Barbara Padnos RoofTop Sculpture Garden

My husband and I have a grandparents and a guest membership at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - we go and enjoy this amazing place, typically once a week. We often bring a guest and/or grands with us and truly enjoy our visits. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Summer Reading - illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero books

    

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!

Summer Fun - Make Your Own Water Park!

Since the summer is upon us and it is likely to be warm, making your own water park . . . if the children you love have zero qualms about getting wet - absolutely  must be part of your summer plans.

Monday, June 16, 2025

Summer Reading - illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books

 

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants me to Know book series - The Lost Lamb, The Woman at the Well, The Man with Leprosy, The Good Samaritan, The Pharisee  & the Tax Collector, The Two Builders, and Martha & Mary so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for the children you love, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books - what could be a better way to spend a hot or rainy Summer day!

Summer Fun . . . Squirt Gun Volcano!!!

Around this grandma's house when my grands were younger, squirt gun "fights" were great fun! So, when I found a site on  Pinterest with the amazing idea for a "Squirt Gun Volcano" I knew I had to try it with the boys - and they loved it.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

"Children Are the Best Teachers in the World!"

I was looking through the NIV Mom's Devotional Bible from Zondervan the other day and ran across something written by Mary Hollingsworth which I want to share with you . . . Tiny Teachers -

"Children are the best teachers in the world. They teach young women how to be mothers and young men how to be fathers. They teach older men and women how to be grandparents. They even teach other children how to be brothers and sisters.

crafting with grandma - Father's Day Photo of Love!

If you are looking for ideas, other than a tie :-), which you could help your grandchild give to their dad for Father's Day, check this wonderful idea I found on Pinterest for more than just a photo . . . a Photo of Love!!!

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Remember; They Are Watching!

Most weekends I am blessed to enjoy time with sweet grands . . . they typically spend Saturday nights on sleepovers - even though they are all nearly teens! We have so much fun when they are here!

The Miracle Mobility 4N1 - a Great Father's Day Gift!

 

Do you, or a dad you love, have trouble getting around? Have you noticed a decrease in your abilities due to medical challenges or age and see how this impacts your mobility? Have you been looking for things which will help you with your mobility challenges? If so, then I encourage you to take a good look at the Miracle Mobility 4N1!