crafting with grandma - Nativity Ornament

It is so easy for children to focus on the "getting" part of Christmas . . . what gifts will they "get"? What activities will they "get" to do? How many parties will they "get" to go to? The list goes on. But, Christmas is really about giving, God gave His Son to us! Well . . . I guess it is also about "getting" as we are the ones who "get" to receive the gift of Grace and forgiveness from God!

At any rate, Christmas is a wonderful time of year to help our grandchildren focus on "giving" and one way we can help them to do this is by helping them make ornaments which they can then give to their neighbors, friends, teachers, shut-ins, coaches, pastors . . . you help them decide who to give them to!

ENLIGHTEN - a "Mesmerizing" Experience & Great Gift to Give!

Last night my husband, grown kids, and grandkids went with me to ENLIGHTEN at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - and as my 16 year old grand said, "It was mesmerizing!"

We were greeted at the entrance with color, light, and music which followed us throughout the mile-long ENLIGHTEN experience. I was expecting color, light, and music, but actually experiencing it was more than I imagined it to be!

Today is National Brownie Day!

If ever there was a treat worth celebrating, brownies would certainly be the one to celebrate! My family enjoys brownies, so I'm fixing some for them to eat today - I'll share my favorite recipe with you, but first, some fun brownie facts - did you know . . .

THE Gift to Give to the Ones You Love this Christmas - ENLIGHTEN!

For the past two days I've been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's new opportunity for families to make incredible memories as they experience ENLIGHTEN. Today I will share with you how they describe the rest of the "journey" . . .

crafting with grandma - snowman clothespin ornaments

If you are looking for a fun idea to do with your grandchildren before or even after Christmas which even your youngest grandchildren will be able to do, check out this fun clothespin snowman.

Give the Gift of Wonder & Memories with ENLIGHTEN

Tomorrow evening my family and I are going to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to experience ENLIGHTEN and I will be so happy to share with you what we see and hear on Sunday and Monday, but today and tomorrow I want to continue our journey through the fourteen experiences of light, sculpture, surprises, music, fun, unexpected discoveries, and the creation of memories all of which make up ENLIGHTEN. As I said yesterday, if you are looking for a gift to give the ones you love which is more than the typical sweater or toy (not that there's anything wrong with sweaters and toys - I love sweaters and my grands enjoyed receiving toys when they were younger) or if you want an extra special gift for the ones you love, you will find giving the gift of the Experience of ENLIGHTEN is absolutely the gift you want to give. Please allow me to share with you more of what this experience will entail . . .

crafting with grandma - Christmas Heart Ornaments!

Christmas is just around the corner and I found an idea for a sweet smelling ornament which would make a fun project for you to make with your grandchildren! It just uses applesauce and cinnamon - the reason it is sweet smelling - and a little time to make dozens of heart ornaments! Just think of all the wonderful things you could do with these little hearts . . . 

Give the Experience of ENLIGHTEN this Christmas!

Yesterday I wrote about ENLIGHTEN at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and started telling you what ENLIGHTEN is all about. Today I want to start you on your journey through the fourteen experiences of light, sculpture, surprises, music, fun, unexpected discoveries, and the creation of memories all of which make up ENLIGHTEN. If you are looking for a gift to give the ones you love which is more than the typical sweater or toy (not that there's anything wrong with sweaters and toys - I love sweaters and my grands enjoyed receiving toys when they were younger) you will find giving the gift of the Experience of ENLIGHTEN is absolutely the gift you want to give. Please allow me to share with you what this experience will entail . . . 

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Nativity Set

Years ago I made a crocheted nativity set from a pattern I bought from Annie's Attic. I looked   on Pinterest and found one which is similar so if you would like to make your own set, you could try this one. The pattern from Annie's Attic made large figures, but I used small hooks and crochet cotton for small figures which I put in my tree each year. I like being able to keep the focus of my tree on the Reason for the Season!

This Christmas Engage & Equip the Ones You Love with God's Word

  

We will not hide them from their descendants;  we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds, but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:4, 6, 7

ENLIGHTEN - Don't Miss It!

If you live in or near Grand Rapids, Michigan, or will be visiting here before January 4th, then have I got a fantastic Christmas gift idea for you to give to the ones you love - tickets to ENLIGHTEN! What is ENLIGHTEN, you ask? Well, it is an extravaganza of light, an opportunity for unexpected experiences, and a unique opportunity to build wonderful memories with the ones you love at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. I will be experiencing this for myself with my family on Saturday evening, so over the coming days I want to let you know about ENLIGHTEN and encourage you to give tickets to the ones you love for Christmas - ENLIGHTEN is the perfect experiential Christmas gift!

Bake Some Tasty Donuts!

I recently learned about baked donuts - yes, I knew of them for a long time, but always thought they were just a donut-shaped muffin. However, this is not the case! Baked donuts are delicious - and can be a lot of fun to make with the children you love! My grands enjoy baking, so I bought a set of silicone donut baking "pans", kept one, and sent the other two home with my grands so they are able to make some at home. 

Christmas Book Review - Give the Gift of Confident Faith & Family Fun for Christmas with Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith!

  

Are you looking for a Christmas gift which will create memories while you hand down confident faith? If so, then the book - Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith! is for you! 

This resource will provide you with 52 weeks of Bible learning, science projects, crafts, cooking, and much more - all designed to make it easy for you to hand down confident faith while engaging the children you love in interesting, fun and active learning.

It is Time for a Candy Cane Hunt!

Yes, it is the time of year for a Candy Cane Hunt! What is a Candy Cane Hunt, you ask? Think Easter Egg Hunt, and substitute Candy Canes, grab your camera, and get ready for some photos, memories, and fun your grandchildren - or children - will never forget!