More Summer Fun . . . Water Balloon Pinatas!!!

Okay, if you want to be prepared for the upcoming hot summer days when the children you love are at your house, what could possibly sound more fun than making - and  breaking - water balloon pinatas???!!! Just think of all the fun you could have with your grandchildren and a bag of balloons!!! I found this idea on  Pinterest and then bought a bag of balloons, because as much as my grands love to play in and with water, I knew this was something they were sure to LOVE - and they did!

There May Be Pirates at Your House!!!

If you have young grandchildren and want to have some fun with them this summer at your house, consider "inviting" "pirates" to your home. When my grands were young we had a pirate who apparently buried "treasure" in the sandbox at my house! My grands were busy that summer digging for treasure in the sand box and lo and behold, they found some!

This "pirate" may, or may not, have look a lot like me; well, okay, it was me! I thought it would be lots of fun to bury "treasure" in the sand box - things like bottles of bubbles, plastic cars to play with in the sand box, and anything else I found which the grands would enjoy digging up. 

When they were at my house, they checked to see if the "pirate" had been back to bury more treasure. Sometimes there was treasure to be found; other times there wasn't . . . after all, you never could tell when a pirate might stop by!

Summer Fun . . . Vacation Memory Jars!

Summer is the time for many special times and memories . . . some of which are created on vacations! If your grandchildren are going on a vacation this  summer, or will be doing something special during the summer - consider helping them make their own Vacation Memory Jars! I found this idea on Pinterest and thought I'd share it with you!

It is National Burger Day

I think it is safe to say, most Americans enjoy a good burger, so a day to celebrate this favorite food will likely be a tasty day! I thought it would be fun on this day of the burger, to find some burger facts; did you know . . . 

May is National Get Caught Reading Month

May is almost over for 2025, but today is a good day to remember it is National Get Caught Reading Month - according to daysoftheyear.com they say, "reading is not just fun; it’s a powerhouse of benefits. It boosts our understanding of the world, lights up our creative minds, and enhances our empathy towards others." Reading is wonderful for us at any age, so let's consider a few benefits of reading and then some possible book choices - did you know . . . 

Memorial Day - and Any Day - Bubbles - Just for the Fun of It!

Today I'm happy to share with you a link to  Country Woman Magazine with another link to the blog How Does She . . . all these links led to really simple, inexpensive and fun directions for making amazing bubbles! I thought this would be a great idea to try with your grandchild(ren) this Memorial Day, so take a moment to check this link and get ready to amaze and delight your grandchild(ren) by showing them how to make these incredible bubbles! 

Science Project - Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction!

Children's Day is June 8th and if you want to surprise the children you love with an amazing activity, consider this fun popsicle stick science project. All you need is to get popsicle sticks and check out how to do this fun experiment  which I found on-line. This project uses popsicle sticks - LOTS of popsicle sticks.

just for fun!!! Did You Know . . . Pangolins!

 

While Pangolins may look and sound like they could not be a real animal, they actually are! Here are a few fun facts about them - did you know - 

Don't Forget - May is Photo Month!

The month of May is Photo Month . . . although, as a grandma, I firmly believe any and all months are "photo months" since all times are excellent times for photos!

So, along with being sure to get photos of your grandchildren, encourage them to take photos of themselves (or have their parents help with this) and then send them to you!

crafting with grandma - DIY Photo Cube!

Father's Day is June 15th, so if you are looking for a great gift idea which you could help your grandchildren make for their dad, take a look at this Photo Cube which I found on Pinterest!

Yes! illustrate my own Books ARE for You & the Children You Love

     

Children's Day and then Summer Break will be upon us shortly so if you are looking for something fun you could give the children you love as a gift, consider getting some of the books from the illustrate my own series along with crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils. All of them are fun books which will uniquely engage the children you love in ways they have never engaged before with the accounts of Bible heroes. As they (and you) illustrate their books, they will think about what is happening, the things the Bible people said and did, and how God showed His love and grace to the Bible people . . . which will help the children you love better understand how God shows His love and grace to them as well! 

Children's Day - Yes, It Is Real!

June 8, 2025 is Children's Day! Yes, it is a real holiday . . . (If you look it up on Google, it says the USA celebrates Children's Day on the second Sunday in June - this has been the official date since the 1800's - I really did not make this holiday up!!!) :-) 

The Little, Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures

 

What could be a better way to start the summer than with books! So, today I am very happy to let you know about one more book . . .  The Little, Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures - and this book has two stories in it, so you get two books in one!

A Simple, Meaningful and Personal Father's Day Craft . . .

If you are looking for an idea for Father's Day - which is just three weeks away, check this one I found on Pinterest! I love how personal it is and how it gives you a way to involve even your youngest grandchildren!

A Family of Her Own for Candy - Great Children's Day Gift for the Children You Love

  

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 my grands 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.) 

crafting with grandma - Father's Day Gift!

I was looking on  Pinterest and saw a very creative, cute, simple, and affordable idea for a Father's Day gift which a dad will be sure to love and treasure . . . and one your grandchildren can make! 

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - The Most Magnificent Team

We all want the children we love to learn how to get along with and work with others - this is a skill they absolutely need in their life. The Most Magnificent Team by Ashley Spires from Kids Can Press is a wonderful story which brilliantly illustrates this truth.

Today is Devil's Food Chocolate Cake Day

 

Nationaltoday.com says, "Devil’s food cake is not your ordinary chocolate cake. It’s a unique mix of ingredients that brings out the chocolate. Recipes often call for boiling water, instead of milk, and some even add coffee to bring out the chocolate flavor! Mixing science with desserts, the cake gets its darker color from its higher pH levels due to the added baking soda. The cake uses cocoa instead of chocolate squares, making it even fluffier! Some say the cake gets its name to distinctly contrast from the Angel’s food cake, which is much lighter in comparison. As more and more types of cakes have been created over the years, “devil’s food cake” is often used as a catch all name for a super-choclatety cake that doesn’t have nuts."

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (And Other Mysterious Creatures)

I love it when an author "turns" the story around and writes a fun, but unexpected story. This is exactly what I. M. Furry (with help from Jami Gigot) did in the delightful book, The Bigfoot Field Guide to Campers (And Other Mysterious Creatures) from Kids Can Press! While any story which combines campers and Big Foot has the potential to be a fun and surprising story, this one delivers on this potential in a way which is sure to make it a favorite book of the children you love!

grandma's cookbook - Father's Day Truffles!

Father's Day is June 15th, and if the dads in your life are like the dads in my life, it is usually difficult to find a perfect gift for them! So, when I was browsing on  Pinterest yesterday and saw a recipe for M&M Cookie Dough Truffles . . . well, they looked to me like Father's Day Truffles! (I know my hubby LOVES M&M's and cookie dough!) 

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Sleep, Sheep!

Sleep, Sheep! by Kerry Lyn Sparrow and Guillaume Perreault is a book which I am SO happy and thankful to be able to include in this year's Children's Day & Summer Book Review as it is an absolutely delightful and surprisingly fun story from Kids Can Press! If ever there were a book which needed to be included in my review, this is certainly it!

Summer Fun at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

If you live in or near West Michigan, you not only know what Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are, but have likely visited them; more than once. If you do not live in this area of the country, you may not be familiar with them, but today I'm very happy to share with you about this amazing and beautiful place where you and your grandchildren will be able to explore, discover and have tremendous fun together!

I'll start with sharing how they describe themselves and then what my family thinks of them; Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park says . . . 

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Ramon Fellini the Cat DOG Detective

I greatly enjoy books with humor and Ramon Fellini the Cat DOG Detective is one such highly enjoyable book for sure! Written/ illustrated by Guillherme Karsten and published by Eerdman's Books for Young Readers, this is a book the children you love are sure to want to have read to them - or read for themselves - over and over again!

A Fun Gift Idea

Father's Day is June 15th this year, so I thought I'd share a fun idea for a gift you could help the children you love make for their dad. Several years ago when my grands were younger, they spent a Friday night and Saturday at my house, so while they were here they made a gift for their dad . . . it is a really fun item to make with your grandchildren for their dad, mom, or for you as it makes a great birthday gift, anniversary gift, or Christmas gift as well - so I'm sharing a photo and info if you want to help the children you love make one!

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Trouble Dog

I love books for children. Some of the very best stories are found in books for children. When I find a book with a wonderful, engaging, fun story AND which teachings me something new and interesting, well, I am most likely to be VE RY happy to share this book with others. Today's book from Eerdman's Books for Young Readers is once such book. Trouble Dog, written by Carol A. Foote and illustrated by Larry Day is absolutely a book you will want to give the children you love - and one they will enjoy, no matter their age!

crafting with grandma - Summer Fun for Children's Day - Ice Chalk!

Children's Day is on June 8, 2025 . . . so, if you would like to get a "jump start" on making some fun gifts which your grandchildren will enjoy, check this idea I found on Pinterest  for Ice Chalk!!! Follow this link  (which is where I got this photo) and you'll find seven different recipes for making Ice Chalk - it would be fun to make with your grandchildren, or to surprise them with on Children's Day or throughout the Summer for some cool fun!

Fun Idea for Children's Day

Children's Day is June 8th this year - it is always the second Sunday of June. So, if you are looking for a fun idea you could try for a gift with meaning, consider making handprint blankets. Just gather the supplies and wrap them up. Then, when your grandchildren open their gifts, you all will be able to make the blankets, put their and your handprints on them, let them dry, and then they will have a special blanket which will remind them of your love for them throughout the coming years.

Pair Eyewear Topper - the Olive Shimmer

As you may have noticed, I really love my Pair Eyewear glasses and toppers. I have the Ruby Sparkle and Navy Sparkle, so when they released a new set of colorful toppers which "shimmer", I thought it would be nice to get the Olive Shimmer - and I am SO happy I did!

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Imagine

One of the things we want to help the children we love with as they grow up, is how they might imagine or see their own future. In Imagine, a beautiful book from Candlewick Press written by Juan Felipe Herrera and illustrated by Lauren Castillo, we are able to do exactly this!

Pair Eyewear Lavender Splatter Limited Edition Topper

From time to time since January I have posted about my new Pair Eyewear glasses. I really LOVE these glasses! They are so comfortable and are in a shape I really like (the Wanda). But the thing I LOVE the most about glasses from Pair Eyewear, is the magnetic toppers - yes, magnetic toppers! The designs and color options are extensive and pretty much every week they release more new toppers! Now, most of these new releases are limited editions - sometimes connected with a holiday, or season, or last week they released some wonderful Star Wars toppers, and while I like Star Wars, and think they have some wonderful toppers, I'm not getting any as I can not get new toppers every week.

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Our Mothers' Names

One of the beautiful things about our country is there are so many people here from so many different countries. This diversity adds so much "color" and beauty to our country and makes it a much better place for all of us. I love Our Mothers' Names written by Uma Menon and illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell from Candlewick Press - it is a truly beautiful book in every way.

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Sometimes All I Need is Me

I love storybooks with a fun story, but when the book also has an absolutely necessary message, well, this is a book I can enthusiastically recommend. The book I'm sharing with you today is one such book - Sometimes All I Need is Me by Juliana Perdomo, published by Candlewick Press. This is a story all the children we love needs to hear - and so do we.

grandma's cookbook - Children's Day Treat - S'mores!

Children's Day is on June 8th, and if you are looking for a fun recipe you could make with your grandchildren to celebrate children and fun, look at this recipe  for S'mores I found on  Pinterest! Follow the link for the recipe and plan to make these with your grandchildren on Children's Day! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is Mother's Day, so take time to share your love with the moms in your life. Let's look at some more fun facts about Mother's Day and then some quotes about moms - did you know . . .

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - Bored Panda

I'm SO happy to share another book with you today for my Children's Day & Summer Book Review - this one is from Random House and it one you and the children you love are absolutely certain to enjoy! Bored Panda by Mike Bender and illustrated by Chuck Dillon is a story which is filled with fun and an important message for the children we love as well - delivered in a story with a panda, so they will easily "get" the message.

Children's Day Fun . . . Make Your Own Side-Walk Chalk!

Children's Day is Sunday, June 8th, so if you are looking for something fun you could make for your grandchildren, or have them make, take a look at this "recipe" I found online to make your own side-walk chalk! Just follow the link and get ready for lots of fun!

Children's Day & Summer Book Review - If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur

Four publishers have sent me some of their wonderful picture/story books for children and with Children's Day coming up and Summer break just around the corner, there couldn't be a better time to share these books with you. Today I'm SO happy to share a completely fun story from tundra books - If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey & Colin Jack - this is an absolute MUST-HAVE book for the young children you love!

Kick Off Summer with an Awesome Children's Day Gift!

As I've been saying, Children's Day is June 8th, so if you are looking for something amazing you could give to your grandchildren, check this idea I found on Pinterest for a  Backyard Ball Run - credit for the photo is from the link above. I LOVE this idea . . . it is one you could use for all your grandchildren to share and enjoy together! Give them each a  small package of special items to drop through the ball run and the pieces and involve them in setting it up on your fence - or their own fence at home! What FUN!!! This is a gift your grandchildren - and their parents and you too, can enjoy all summer long! :^)

Give a Gift Which Makes a Difference on Children's Day & for Birthdays - the little answer book for children

If you are looking for Children's Day and/or birthday gifts which make a difference, then today I am happy to let you know about a book which you could add to your gift list for the children you love - the little answer book for children.

DIY Toys for Children's Day & Summer Fun!

Summer is almost here with warm days and lots of fun in and around water. So I thought I'd share with you some DIY toy ideas for sponge balls and light sabers I found on Pinterest  which you could either make with your grandchildren or for them for children's day! 

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children - A Great Children's Day Gift

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children  is a unique book which will help children of all ages learn to talk with God by praying Scripture. One of the most powerful things we are able to do for the children we love is for us to pray for them. One even more powerful thing we are able to do for them is to help them learn to be people who pray. This Children's Day - the second Sunday in June - give a gift which will help you do exactly this - give the children you love ages four through fourteen the book - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children!

Children's Day Scavenger Hunt Fun!

As I have said many times, I love the idea of Children's Day because I love to celebrate the sweet children in my life! So . . . I'm thinking it would be great fun to plan a Children's Day Scavenger Hunt as an activity for us all to enjoy together as we celebrate these amazing blessings from the hand of God!

A Fun Resource for the Ones You Love

In this day and age it is especially important for grandparents (and parents) to be focused upon passing confident faith to the children they love, but it can be a challenge to find resources to help us do this. Generations Quest ~ Cultivate the Faith was written for this reason and provides 52 weeks of lessons grandparents/ parents will be able to use to engage our grandchildren/children in learning how to love, know, and walk with God!

Each week there is a science activity which will engage children and connect them to the point of the Bible event. They will learn about Bible people and how to pray the Psalms back to God along with fun activities which are just for fun!

Children's Day - and Night Fun!

Children's Day is on June 8th this year - and yes, it is a real holiday. I was browsing on  Pinterest and found a really fun idea for Children's Day . . . or for a sleep-over, or a fun Summer evening . . . and it would make a great gift for your  grandchildren for Children's Day! You can make your own set, then stand back and watch the fun begin . . . be sure to have a camera handy!

What Isn't There to LOVE About The Shimmering Cobalt Hexagon Topper!

This past January I got new glasses and this time I decided to try Pair Eyewear because I thought the idea of changing out the tops for an entirely new look sounded interesting. Today I have to say it is far, far more than just "interesting". It is absolutely fantastic! For just a $25 or $30 topper, it is like I have a completely new pair of glasses! And I have to say, it is very easy to find toppers I like - the difficult part is choosing which ones to get!

Children's Day - Yes, It Is Real!

June 8, 2025 is Children's Day! Yes, it is a real holiday . . . (If you look it up on Google, it says the USA celebrates Children's Day on the second Sunday in June - this has been the official date since the 1800's - I really did not make this holiday up!!!) :-) 

grandma's cookbook . . . Strawberries & Cream Pie!

In keeping with the idea of Summer being just around the corner, I thought today would be a great day to share a recipe for a strawberries & cream pie!