Today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

While chocolate chip cookies are a treat to enjoy any day - especially fresh from the oven, today is actually National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Of course this means I need to share a recipe or two with you, so I chose the first one from when my oldest grandson was young he and I were going to make cookies, so I asked him what kind of cookies we should make. He said, "Chocolate, chocolate-chip!" So, we sat down with my computer to find a recipe. I found one and read the ingredients to him and he said, "That's not the one we want." I thought it could work, but read the next one to him. He said, "Yes! This is the one. It has cocoa and the other one didn't. We need cocoa to make chocolate, chocolate-chip cookies!" He was right! I didn't think he paid close attention to the ingredients, but apparently he did! We made the recipe he chose, with just a couple "tweaks" which I'm sharing with you. The cookies turned out quite delightful - after all, they have cocoa, chocolate-chips, peanut butter, and sour cream in them, so how could they be anything but delicious and delightful? 

Today is National Watermelon Day!

 

While certainly every day is a great day to enjoy a tasty piece of watermelon, since today is National Watermelon Day, it is most certainly the day to do so! You will find out more about this wonderful day at the following link, but let's also look at some fun watermelon facts . . .

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 might you do to have family fun during the month of August? Consider some of the following ideas . . . 

Don't Forget the Most Important Back-to-School Supply - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

The children we love will be returning to school shortly. A new year of school brings with it new relationships, new learning, new experiences, new challenges - some positive, some not so positive. Of course we want to do all we are able to do to equip the children we love so they are able to face these new things with confidence and are able to grow because of them. One of the most important things we will ever do to help them is to teach them to talk with God, but how do we do this? Clearly, if we want the children we love to become people of prayer, this takes more than praying at meals.

Today is National Water Balloon Day!

 

Today, even though it will be cooler where I live, it is still supposed to be toasty warm - downright hot in many places - making it the perfect day to celebrate National Water Balloon Day! So, before you grab some balloons and gather the children you love for a fun time of water balloon mayhem, let's look at some water balloon fun facts and then a few facts about balloons - did you know . . .

Tomorrow, August 1st is National Homemade Pie Day!

Pies bring a lot of joy to people - and while you may not want to bake a pie when the outside temps are high, there are many wonderful recipes for pies which do not require baking. I am very happy to share with you one of my family's favorite summer pies - Lemonade Ice Cream Pie, but first, let's look at a few fun pie facts - did you know . . .

Today is Share a Hug Day!

 

While every day is a day to hug those you love, in my opinion, today is a day to especially focus on hugging others, "to encourage people to show affection to each other."

Daysoftheyear.com says, "There’s something amazing about a hug which just makes the day so much better. Maybe it’s the warmth of someone you care about being close to you, maybe it’s the feeling of security and solidarity which happens when you’re surrounded by the arms of others, maybe it’s the fact you can’t give one without getting one back. Whatever it is, there’s never a bad time to share a hug with someone who’s willing to give or receive one. Share a Hug Day is your opportunity to politely offer someone else a hug when they look like they’re feeling down!" Hugs are SO beneficial - let's learn a few more things about hugs - did you know . . .

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 . . . 

Summer Reading - I Dare You NOT to Yawn

If you are looking for a fun, slightly different bedtime story which will have you laughing definitely take a look at the book, I Dare You NOT to Yawn, by Helene Boudreau and illustrated by Serve Bloch. I received this book a few years ago for review and it had me laughing - right out loud! I read it to my husband and he ended up laughing, too! I love unexpected books which actually have a definite ring of truth to them and this is one such book!

Summer Reading - The Baby That ROARED

I read and review a LOT of books for children . . . since I love books, this is something I enjoy doing! However; every once-in-awhile a book comes along which is a true delight and occasionally one comes along which makes me laugh out-loud! The Baby That Roared by Simon Puttock and illustrated by Nadia Shireenis one such book!

Try Pair Eyewear and Save $25!

This past January when I had to get new glasses, I decided to try Pair Eyewear. This line of glasses was designed to have magnetic top frames which you are able to change out for an entirely new look and style - it is SUCH a fantastic idea! It is like getting an entirely new pair of glasses for only $25 or $30 - the cost of a new topper. I have to say, I absolutely LOVE Pair Eyewear!

Summer Reading - If You're Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend

Any day is a great day for a hug and this book is all about hugs, so I'm very happy to share it with you again today. I have long been a big "fan" of picture books. If you are able to combine a fun story with colorful illustrations, well, I am likely to like the book. I do not believe it is ever truly possible to outgrow an excellent picture book - just because the book was written for children ages three to five, it does not mean a grandma will not also enjoy the book. In fact, I am fully convinced all picture books should include "grandmas" when it lists the ages for whom the book is written!

With all of this in mind, when I had the opportunity to select a few books from Scholastic to review and review, I just had to ask for the book I'm reviewing today . . . and I am SO happy they sent it to me!

Truths about Grandparents . . .

 

This morning I was thinking about being a grandma and what an amazing blessing it is, so I looked up a few quotes about grandmas/ grandparents and thought I'd share some with you . . .

Summer Reading - A Dog is a Dog

When it comes to books for young children, A Dog is a Dog by  Stephen Shaksan  has to be on my list of "favorite things"! I love the simple text which is sure to keep you guessing - and flat out laughing!  A Dog is a Dog is clever, fun and unexpected . . . the ending is a "hoot"!

A Dog Is a Dog is sure to leave children and adults guessing and laughing . . . because a dog is a dog, unless it's a . . .