Monday, July 31, 2023

August is Family Fun Month!

While I think every month should be a "family fun month", apparently August is the official Family Fun Month! So . . . what could you do to have family fun during the month of August? Consider some of the following ideas . . . 

Today is Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day!

One great way to build memories and strong connections with the children we love is by celebrating - which is why I'm sharing a daily "holiday"! Of course we celebrate birthdays and holidays like Christmas, but there are many, many fun "holidays" we can celebrate each day, so choose some and celebrate - be sure to take lots of photos because the memories will bring joy long after you finish your celebration!

So, today I'm sharing with you a truly fun and memorable day - with many great ways to celebrate . . . Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day! You will find out about it at this link, but I want to share with you a couple examples of uncommon instruments (you will find more at this link) and then a fun way to celebrate!

Sunday, July 30, 2023

illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books - No "Ordinary" Bible Person Storybook

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book 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!

Today is National Hug Day!

Today is National Share a Hug Day! While I think every day is a great day for a hug, a day to especially focus on it, is a great thing - you will be able to learn more about it at this link - on this site I learned five important things hugs do for you, but will just share the first with you here . . .

My Promise

My grandsons begin school in just three weeks; which has me thinking about how quickly they are growing up and what truly matters. I may not be able to take my sweet grandsons to fancy places. I may not be able to buy these dear boys the newest, coolest, and most awesome toys and gadgets. I may not be able to give them every thing they may want, but I absolutely will be sure the words I say fill their hearts with joy and remind them how ever so much they are loved! 

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Celebrate - it is International Tiger Day!

I believe spending time with grandparents should be time our grandchildren will remember as being time well spent! One way we are able to do this is by being grandparents who celebrate - in big and small ways! Certainly this involves celebrating birthdays and holidays, but we are able to make each time we are with the ones we love, a time when we celebrate. Happily there are LOTS of "special" days to celebrate - such as, today is International Tiger Day - certainly a day to celebrate for sure!

Fun Facts about Grandparents & Why What They Do Matters!

 

Clearly, from the things I write about I sincerely believe grandparents need to focus on handing down confident faith to their grandchildren. There are reasons I believe this - some of them are . . . 

Loose Caboose & Teeter Tower - Great Christmas Gifts from Gamewright

If you are looking for a fun game to get and play with the children you love as the summer comes to an end, check out these games from Gamewright - 

Friday, July 28, 2023

Birthday Dessert - Chocolate Mousse Pie!

My youngest grandson will be turning ten in a few days, so this year his birthday dinner menu is - steak, french fries, watermelon, corn on the cob, and chocolate mousse pie! I always let my family members choose the menu for their birthday dinner, so when he told me he thought chocolate pie sounded tasty for his dinner, I started looking for a recipe - and happily found one which I'm sharing with you today!

just for fun - Today is National Milk Chocolate Day!

As they say on the National Day site, "When solid chocolate is combined with either powdered, liquid or condensed milk; it’s known as milk chocolate. Milk chocolate is the most popular member of the chocolate family." So, today I thought I'd share some fun chocolate facts with you from the Whitaker's site . . . did you know . . . 

grandma's chuckles . . . "I Need a Break From Children . . . !"

From the title of this post, you may be thinking I, or another adult, said this statement, but no . . . it was uttered by my then four-year old grandson, Caleb! On that day the boys spent Friday at my house, had a sleep-over, and then Saturday afternoon, we took them home. On the way we discovered their parents were thinking about having a bonfire at our house (we live in the country with plenty of room for bonfires and at the time they lived in the city - not so much bonfire room!)

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

A few years ago my grandsons and I worked on a project to make prayer "easier" for them and the result was the book - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for ChildrenIf we want the children we love to learn to walk closely with God, they need to learn to talk with Him. Praying Deeper Through the Psalms - Children's Edition is designed to help children - preschool through Middle School age - learn to do exactly this by praying the Psalms back to God. In this book you will find 52 weeks of Scripture prayers from the Book of Psalms and space for children to record their own prayer requests and how God answers. With Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children the children you love will learn how to talk with God - and will make their way through the Book of Psalms a thoughtful way as well. Look what people are saying about it - 

Take & Make the Time to Speak & Show Love

I am blessed with three grandchildren - and they are all doing what they do . . . growing up. My oldest grandson now has his driver's permit! How could this have possibly happened so fast?!

Today is National Take Your Pants for a Walk Day!

Today is National Take Your Pants for a Walk Day! I know, funny "name" for a day, but the idea is to get out and walk - and this is something we are able to do with the children we love! I have MS and sometimes walking is challenging, but I have also lost 85lbs since the start of 2020, and walking is a bit easier. So, my dear husband and I, along with our grandsons and often a neighbor girl, go to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - typically once a week, to walk. We also visit area parks on another day each week to walk. It has been a lot of fun for sure - and a great time to get more photos of my grandsons!