crafting with grandma - Fireworks in a Bottle!

The 4th of July is just a few days away and if you are looking for a fun craft which you could make with your grandchildren, check this one for Fireworks in a Bottle which I found on Pinterest!

Grandma "Ellies" Matter & So Do We

During Covid my grands and I worked on a new book series for children and families to enjoy to help them develop a confident faith as they learn about really interesting animals. (You will find the Life on the Goldilocks Planet series in the bookstore at this link.) In book two in my Life on the Goldilocks Planet series - this one is entitled, Eyelash Vipers, Pygmy Elephants, Pangolins & More! - I wrote about Pygmy Elephants and yes, there are pygmy elephants in Asia and Africa!

crafting with grandma - 4th of July Tin Can Windsocks!

It seems like Summer has barely begun, but the 4th of July is really just around the corner . . . just over a week away! So, I thought I'd share a great  craft with you which I found online - at this link. These 4th of July Tin Can Windsocks are wonderful!

100 Free Things to Do With Your Grandchildren This Summer!

If you are feeling a little like "Phineas and Ferb" and are looking for things you can do with the children in your life this Summer, look at these great ideas I found online for 114 things you can do this summer for free with the children you love.

Ready for a Summer Snowball Fight??? :-)

Across the country it is hot . . . even here in Michigan it was in the 90's yesterday - hot for here. So, as I thought about what I should post today on grandma's cookie jar, I thought it might be fun to share all the specifics I found on Pinterest for how to have a "Summer Snowball Fight"!

grandma's cookbook . . . Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies are a fun treat to make - and eat! Try this recipe - from the Chex website - with your grandchildren . . . it is sure to be a favorite!

Summer Fun - Lawn Twister!

I remember the game, "Twister" from when I was a child, so when I was browsing on  Pinterest and saw a pin for "Lawn Twister", well, I had to share it with you! All you need is spray paint and something big and round to use as a stencil - this lady used a pizza box lid which she cut a circle. Make plans for the next warm summer day when your grandchildren are over to grab some spray paint, a pizza box lid and get ready for some fun they will remember all their lives! (Don't worry, the paint won't hurt your grass and as it grows and you mow it, it will be gone!)

Try Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

When we trust God, we are steadfast and are able to experience His perfect peace. This is certainly what we want for the ones we love; at all times, but especially now with the uncertainties of day-to-day life in 2025. Our grandchildren (and/or young children) may especially feel fear as they see and hear about the things going on in this world.

If ever there was a time to help them learn to be people who talk with God, this is it. So, to help you with this, I want you to know about my book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children. Look what people are saying about this book - 

Summer Fun . . . The Unpoppable Bubble!

Summer is upon us, so today I'm sharing one more idea I found on Pinterest  which you could use with the children you love to do something surprising and fun. After all, what could be more fun than making unpoppable bubbles? :-)

Summer Reading - 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! 

In this fun story the little ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monster boys discover teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people children are moving into a house down the street. At first, the monster boys think this is a peculiar, scary, and terrifying thing, but then they decide to go see what they are really like and discover the teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people children are actually very much like them! 

crafting with grandma . . . Pounded Flower Bandannas!

As Summer begins there are beautiful plants growing all around us! Flowers, leaves, even pretty weeds! Take your grandchild(ren) on a nature walk and be sure to bring a paper lunch bag along with you to collect the beautiful things they find on your walk. Talk with your grandchild(ren) about the variety of colors in the things you see and lead them in praising God for using so many wonderful colors in the things He created! Encourage them to pick colorful flowers and uniquely shaped leaves as you walk through your yard and then bring them inside to make  bandannas for them to wear all summer long!

Summer Reading - 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!

Summer Outdoor Fun!

 

As I browsed on Pinterest one day, I noticed the plans for making a giant outdoor games . . . so I took a closer look! The games look like they would be great fun for a family to play on a warm summer day! Set them up on a deck, driveway, sidewalk . . . and then have fun all summer long!

A Family of Her Own for Candy

   

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 them 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.)