Grandmas, Don't Forget to Show Love in the Little Ways

Yes, there are many things we do as grandparents to show love to our grandchildren - big things . . . but there are also little things we need to remember to do as well. We may think the little things do not really matter, but the thing about the little things is sometimes they are actually the "big" things. 

With this in mind, let's think about some of the "little/big things" . . . 

Get Your Copy of The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boy's Adventures!

  

I have been writing about my picture book for children - The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boy's Adventures!  and today want to let you know about the second story in this book - The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys & Their Not-So-Peculiar, Scary, or Terrifying Discovery! 

It is National Suicide Prevention Month

Most of my "today is" or "this month is" posts are written with the goal of encouraging you to celebrate with the ones you love. Celebrating together is a fantastic way to build a strong relationship - and this truly matters when it comes to the ones we love. Too often, especially as we get older, we think it is the responsibility of our children/ grandchildren to reach out to us, but NO! As grandmas (grandpas/parents) we are able to be the one who reaches out. It matters for us to do this. Grandparents, remember how busy you were when you were younger? Be the one who reaches out, and celebrate with the ones you love!

Today is American Chess Day!

Today is American Chess Day! My grandsons all play Chess, and my middle grandson (13 years old) came in second in his first Chess Tournament! (The cat in the photo is my grandson's cat.) Chess is a great game for all ages to play, just look at this fact . . . "A Venezuelan study found an increase in IQ scores of its participants after four months of learning and playing chess. Another study found games which require participants to use their brains, especially players older in age, help those participants to be less likely to develop dementia. It also enhances problem-solving skills, as players have to maneuver and manage the game and their opponent." I found this quote on the NationalToday site - you will find out more about Chess at this link.

Did you know . . .

Make Anytime Funtime with 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!

Let's Grandparent on Purpose!

I had a conversation with a friend of mine at church recently who also is a grandma (she has 11 grandchildren!) We were talking about how important it is for grandparents to hand down a heritage of faith and she shared with me an old Arabic saying; which I’m delighted to share with you today! It goes like this . . . “If you do not have a grandparent in your home; go buy one!”

Here in the USA, we do not tend to value grandparents as they are in other places around the world. And, here in the USA grandparents often do not understand the value they have to offer when it comes to handing down a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. Many grandparents even have the attitude their “job” is “finished”, their children are adults and now they can just retire, relax and enjoy life.

The truth, however; is our job is not “finished”. We have a very important job to do. The average age of the first-time grandparent is 47 and most of us live to be at least 78 years old – our lives are not over! We have much to offer and can not just toss away these years by focusing on ourselves and not being intentional about passing on a heritage of faith.

Think about it. Which matters more? Taking another trip or seeing your grandchildren love, know and walk with Jesus? Clearly the trip is not even in the same, “ballpark” when it comes to importance.

We have to grandparent on purpose. We have to be engaged. Some of the most important and most precious people in our lives need to see an example of people who faithfully love and follow Jesus and who will point them to how to do the same. We want to keep Jesus and knowing and following Him in the forefront of our grandchildren's "view", so they do not forget Him, but instead remember all He does for them and experience the joy of following Him themselves.

Being a grandparent who faithfully hands down a heritage of faith is not only important and essential for us to do; it will be something which is fulfilling and one of the biggest sources of joy for us as well – far outshining retiring and traveling! Let’s be the grandparents who grandparent on purpose!

It is National South Carolina Day!

Today is National South Carolina Day - so if you, or someone you know, lives there, it is a day to celebrate! Of course I'm going to share some of their silly laws and fun facts with you - please share with the ones you love - did you know . . .

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day!

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day! Clearly roasting a marshmallow over an open flame, getting it the perfect toasted brown color, putting it on a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers is the typical way we picture enjoying toasted marshmallows - and it is absolutely a wonderful way to do so, but before you gather your supplies for making smores, take a look at these fun marshmallow facts - did you know . . .

A Cool, Must-Do Science Project Your Grandchildren Will Love!

When my grandsons were younger we often worked on science projects - even when they were as young as four years old they found them them interesting and fun! Today I am happy to share with you one of our favorites . . . all you need is peroxide, dish soap, and yeast . . . the result are sure to get a wonderful response from the children you love.

crafting with grandma - Make Some Minions!

I made Minion hats and Crazy Minion stuffed toys for my grandsons when they were younger. The boys were soooo cute in their hats. All of the  Despicable Me  movies are favorites around here, for good reason, as they are funny!

So, today I'm sharing a link for a pattern for making Minions, I thought with the new movie out now, it would be fun to share it with you!

Tomorrow is International Whale Shark Day

If any fish deserves a day for the entire world to celebrate it, then most certainly the Whale Shark does as it is the largest shark in the ocean! This is enough of a reason to celebrate this amazing fish, but since it is now also on the endangered species list due to over fishing of these amazing creatures, it is important for us to stop and think about them and what we are able to do to help preserve the incredible whale shark. Please share the following fun facts with the children you love, and then consider helping whale sharks - did you know . . .

Get Ready to Make a Difference in Your Family with Generations Quest!

When you look at the world in which we live, do you wonder how the children you love will be able to maneuver around and through the many, “land-mines” which surround them? Do you wonder how they will be able to grow up as children, then teens, and eventually adults who love, know and walk with God, when everything around them seems to be focused upon keeping them from doing so? Do you feel concerned when you think about how these children, who you love with all your heart, will ever make the choice to turn their backs on the values and temptations of the world and instead make the choice to hold firmly to God?

grandma's cookbook - Popcorn! Popcorn! Popcorn!

My grandsons spend almost every Saturday night at my house for a sleepover and after supper my oldest grandson (almost 16) nearly always asks if I would mind fixing him popcorn . . . which of course, the answer always is, I am very happy to do so! His two brothers and poppa join in on the wanting popcorn, so it is popcorn for everyone. I usually make kettle corn for my youngest grandson, butter popcorn for my middle grandson, and then my oldest grandson and husband have my popped in olive oil and sprinkled with Himalayan pink salt popcorn. 

The "Receiver" of "Treasure"!

I have been the "receiver" of great "treasures"! When my grandsons were little, they often brought me these "treasures" - flowers (or, since they often were dandelions, as they are more often classified, weeds!), enormous, dry, dead, brown Sycamore tree leaves ("Grandma, these leaves are dead, but they are SO cool!!!") and little green leaves ("These are leaves, grandma!!!"). I also received the "treasure" of hearing jokes, riddles, and stories (all told with a big smile and a twinkle in the eyes!!!). And, of course, hugs, kisses, raspberries, and snuggles!