I love making up stories with Josiah! He is three years old and has such a sense of humor and an imagination perfect for making up his own stories! The other day he was at my house after building a snow bear with his mom at his house. We were going to make up stories - something which must be done while sitting in grandma's lap - of course! He wanted a "scary" story, but I told him I had an idea for a funny story. I said, "Once upon a time there was a bear named George . . ." Josiah said, "And he heard a scary sound!" (can you tell he was still thinking a scary story would be fun??!!!) I said, "No he didn't, he woke up in his bed and looked outside and saw something! Do you know what he saw?" Josiah, "He saw a scary monster!!!" I said, "No, he did not, he saw snow!!!! So after he ate his breakfast . . . " Josiah, "He ate waffles, scrambled eggs and bacon!!!!" I said, "After his breakfast of waffles, scrambled eggs and bacon, he asked his momma if he could go out to play in the snow and she said, yes! George put on his boots, coat, mittens and hat and went outside and built a snowboy! . . . " Josiah, "I didn't know George the bear could build a snowboy!!! That's funny!!!" I said, "Well apparently he could build a snowboy, so he did. After he finished building his snowboy, he decided to name it. Do you know what he named it?" Josiah, "No." I said, "He named it Josiah!" Josiah, "Hahahahaha! That's funny!"
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
grandma's cookbook - Bear Cookies . . . & I'm Giving Away a Bear Cookie Cutter!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
grandma's bookshelf . . . Oh No, George . . . I'm Giving One Away!
I Have a Winner for Every Which Way to Pray . . .
Monday, February 27, 2012
Two Weeks Until My American Girl Doll Give-Away!
Let's Join Together and Help Babies!
In the country of Guatemala, half of the children under the age of 5 suffer from malnutrition. "In rural areas, 80 percent of children suffer from chronic malnutrition. Most malnutrition is caused by water-borne illnesses.
Operation Baby Rescue is an initiative which provides life-saving treatment to thousands of children battling the effects of malnutrition in impoverished communities. Oftentimes the children are brought directly to the Baby Rescue Center where they are treated for malnutrition, parasites, or other life-threatening illnesses. In some cases, the need is so severe the child must be rushed to a nearby medical facility for extensive care. Over 4,000 children have been restored to full health through Operation Baby Rescue."
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Decadent, Chocolate Cake . . . It is Quite Enjoyable!
crafting with grandma . . . Duck Tape Purse . . . I'm Giving Some Duck Tape Away!
There was a day when Duck Tape
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Go Fish - Crazy Dance!
crafting with grandma . . . a Cute Giraffe to Crochet!

If you follow the links, you'll see it is quite a simple pattern and makes a very cute little friend for someone you love! The only thing I'd add, is to make "spots" from hearts! You could make your spots all one color, of a rainbow of colors just for more fun!
Friday, February 24, 2012
More Ideas for Family Reunion Fun!
Do you have family reunions? If so, what do you do to make your family reunions special, fun and unforgettable?
Another Fun Paper Doll - and Don't Forget . . . I'm Giving Away an American Girl Doll!
These cute paper dolls are available through the blog, Tip Junkie and includes 2 outfits {pajamas and school outfit}, 2 books, a teddy bear and a complete bedroom set including bed, dresser, bedspread and pillows! All of the dolls and accessories in this fantastic Paper Doll series are designed by Tricia-Rennea. Be sure to check these adorable paper dolls out and surprise your granddaughter with fun Saint Patrick's Day paper dolls!
I Have a Winner in My VeggieTales Robin Good Give-Away!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
crafting with grandma . . . Leap Day, Leap Frog Hats!


You'll find a wealth of crochet patterns on this blog . . . I'll be checking it out for sure! If you crochet, which hat would you make for your grandchildren?
Leap Year Fun!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
grandma's cookbook - Decadent, Chocolate Birthday Cake!
This Sunday we are celebrating my daughter-in-law's birthday and I'm making a decadent, chocolate birthday cake for her! I always ask my family for the menu they would like to have for their birthday and then fix their menu for everyone . . . Jackie chose oven-baked/fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, home-baked bread and chocolate cake. I found a recipe on-line which I'm "tweeking" a touch for the cake - so I thought I should share this recipe with you!
grandma's cookbook - St. Patty's Day Chocolate Mint Icebox Dessert!
I for one enjoy chocolate and mint - whether it is St. Patty's Day or any other day of the year, so when I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I thought it might be one worth sharing with you!
It looks pretty easy to make and like a recipe which could easily become one of your grandchildren's "own signature desserts"! It is also one which you could adapt . . . you could switch the ice cream for one of another flavor; for example, I think it would be amazing with cookies and cream or cookie dough ice cream! I also think you could "simplify" this recipe by substituting chocolate pudding or just chocolate sauce for the chocolate spread, but whatever you decide to do, have fun with it and enjoy the opportunity to spend time with your grandchildren creating a dessert they can share with their family!
If you make this with your family, would you follow the recipe or "tweek" it?
It looks pretty easy to make and like a recipe which could easily become one of your grandchildren's "own signature desserts"! It is also one which you could adapt . . . you could switch the ice cream for one of another flavor; for example, I think it would be amazing with cookies and cream or cookie dough ice cream! I also think you could "simplify" this recipe by substituting chocolate pudding or just chocolate sauce for the chocolate spread, but whatever you decide to do, have fun with it and enjoy the opportunity to spend time with your grandchildren creating a dessert they can share with their family!
If you make this with your family, would you follow the recipe or "tweek" it?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Make Your Next Family Reunion Amazing with the Amazing Race Family Edition!
I posted today on my other blog, About the Children's Department about planning a "Family Amazing Race" event, but I got to thinking and thought it could be a great thing for a family to do for a reunion or other get-together! So . . . I took the basic idea and modified it so a family might be able to use it at their next big get-together!
grandma's bookshelf - Every Which Way to Pray - I'm Giving One Away!
I Have a Winner in My Eleanor the Hippo Learns to Tell the Truth Book Give-Away!
Monday, February 20, 2012
grandma's movie reviews - the Princess & the Frog
An Absolute Must-Read Parenting Book! (Great for Grandparents, Too!)
crafting with grandma . . . Dr. Seuss Book Purse!
The other day as I was browsing on Pinterest I saw a very cute idea for a little girl's purse . . . if I had a granddaughter, I'd definitely make one! This pattern is from the blog, A Couple of Craft Addicts and shows how to make a Dr. Seuss book purse! The link includes a photo tutorial and all you need to make your purse is a book - you could find one at a garage sale . . . a very well-used book is perfect for this craft - scissors, glue and felt! You could use any hard-covered book, look for a well-used copy of your granddaughter's favorite story and make a purse for her out of the book! Very cute, very easy and great fun! I love this craft idea!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Three Hearts with Children's Heart Project!
VeggieTales Singalong Cd Player
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Today is a Day to Celebrate!
What do you celebrate? Beyond birthdays and Christmas? Don't get me wrong . . . I absolutely believe in celebrating birthdays and Christmas with great enthusiasm, but beyond these days, what do you celebrate? Do you celebrate the "milestones" in your grandchild's life? Today is a special day in my family. We are celebrating Josiah because today is his, "I'm a Big Boy Now Party!" He is fully potty trained . . . and this is well worth celebrating! It is a huge milestone in the life of a child . . . no more diapers! (And this is something all parents celebrate with great enthusiasm!!!)
crafting with grandma . . . Granny Square Cat!
I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and saw a very cute pattern for a granny square cat! If I had a granddaughter, I'd make one for her . . . I might modify it and make a dog or monster for my grandsons . . . if I do, I'll post photos and the modified pattern for you! But for now, I'll share this pattern so if you want to make one, you'll have the links! (If you follow the links you'll find a photo tutorial to help you make your own granny square cat!)
grandma's bookshelf . . . my first Hands-On Bible!
Friday, February 17, 2012
crafting with grandma . . . Blarney Stones!
I am not Irish - I do have an ancestor who was Scottish, and who was shanghaied from Scotland, brought to American and sold as an indentured servant . . . but this is another story entirely! However, Irish or not, I have heard of the Blarney Stone! I went on-line to get the "facts" straight . . . if such a thing is possible for the story of the Blarney Stone!!! . . . and will share them with you . . .
VeggieTales Robin Good and His Not-So Merry Men . . . I'm Giving One Away!
It all begins with the short - Lenny and the Lost Birthday, in which Lenny thinks everyone has forgotten his birthday. He doesn't know about Leap Year and how it pushed his birthday back one day and ends up feeling like he is not special to anyone. "Of all of my days, mom, this was the worst. My family, my teacher my friends all agree. There's nothing at all that's special about me." His mom sings, "But this is the day the Lord has made. You're special to me and you'll be okay. Tomorrow will dawn and I'll love you still. Things will get better, I promise they will! When your days been a mess and you feel it intensely, don't forget Whose you are and Who loves you immensely! God made you His child and you're treasured as such. You're precious, you're treasured, He loves you so much! And this is the day the Lord has made. You're special to Him, you'll be okay! Tomorrow will dawn and He'll love you still! Things will get better, I promise they will!"
Thursday, February 16, 2012
St. Patrick's Day Craft . . . Crochet a Four-Leaf Clover
I posted earlier today about the story of St Patrick, so if you are going to share this story with your grandchildren and celebrate St. Patrick's Day, you might enjoy making a few covers for them . . . they could add a zipper pull and hang them on their back pack to remind them of how Patrick chose to love and know God - even when bad things happened to him.
I found this pattern from Crochet Spot on Pinterest, and I'm going to make some, but I think in addition to making some four-leaf clovers, I'll also make some three-leaf shamrocks because Patrick used the three-leaf version to help the people of Ireland learn about and understand the Trinity of God - He is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - three-in-one! Follow the links for the pattern - it looks pretty simple and quick . . . a fun thing to know how to make!
I found this pattern from Crochet Spot on Pinterest, and I'm going to make some, but I think in addition to making some four-leaf clovers, I'll also make some three-leaf shamrocks because Patrick used the three-leaf version to help the people of Ireland learn about and understand the Trinity of God - He is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - three-in-one! Follow the links for the pattern - it looks pretty simple and quick . . . a fun thing to know how to make!
Saint Patricks Day . . . Get the Story from VeggieTales!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hot & Cheesy . . . Mac & Cheese
American Girl Doll Give-Away . . . and a Little History!
On the website - Complete Guide to American Girl Doll Collecting, I found the following information - "In 1986, Pleasant T. Rowland, a former educator and publisher of educational materials, founded Pleasant Company which is headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin. Pleasant Company produced and marketed three 18-inch dolls dolls each of which was from a different period in American History. Each of them had an elaborate background story which were told in several professionally-written books. The three girls, Samantha, Kirsten and Molly had a number of historically accurate outfits and accessory sets which tied into and were depicted in the various stories. The American Girl Collection was originally exclusively available only through mail-order catalogs. Over the next several years, five more historical dolls and their stories were added for a total of eight girls spanning periods in U.S. history from 1764 to 1944. All of the accessory items were imaginative, well designed and of the highest quality. In the Fall of 1997, an online store (AmericanGirl.com) was launched. In 1998, Pleasant Company was acquired by Mattel, Inc., the world's leading toy company. Pleasant Rowland took a seat on the Mattel Board as an acting VP for two years, but today she is no longer associated with the company."
grandma's cookbook - Blueberry Cake!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
grandma's bookshelf . . . Demolition
grandma's bookshelf - Eleanor the Hippo Learns to Tell the Truth - I'm Giving One Away!
I Have a Winner in My VeggieTales If I Sang a Silly Song DVD Give-Away!
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