It is Selfie Day, So . . .

Today is Selfie Day and since my three wonderful grandsons are at my house, I did what I rarely do . . . I took a selfie with them!

Do you take selfies often? Feel free to share a selfie of you . . . and your grands if you like . . . in the comments below.

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Merry Sunshine is the winner of one Personalized Palm Tree Vacation Frame. (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Merry for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by June 27, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com  so I am able to have it sent to you. Thank you also to GiftsForYouNow for making it available for me to review and give away.

Terra Cotta Luminaries

If your grandchildren are a bit older - elementary and high school age - I have a fun project you could do with them . . . one which they could use as gifts for parents, school teachers, Sunday school teachers or even something they could use as a thank-you/hostess gift for a friend's mom when they are invited over for dinner or some special event. Terra Cotta Luminaries are pretty straight-forward to make, but give your grandchildren an opportunity to express their own creativity - they could design it to match a season, holiday or just decorate it however they like!

Cooking = Times to Remember

What do you remember from when you were a child? Which family memories stand out to you when you remember being young? For me, I remember times when my family got together . . . there were always amazing things to eat as my family had excellent cooks in it! My grandmas and my mom could all cook! There are few things in life as wonderful as time spent with family . . . when you can add in tasty things to eat . . . well, it is the "cherry on top"!

Happy Father's Day

Fun to Make Unique Craft/Gift

Do you like to make unique, special gifts for the people on your gift list? Do you enjoy helping your grandchildren learn to make unique special gifts for the people on their gift list? There are only six months until Christmas, so if you'd like a great idea for a truly unique gift, try this one! You could help your grandchildren make this gift for their parents!

Creamy Mocha Coffee Caramels

If you are looking for a recipe you could use to make homemade sweets for the sweet ones in your life, take a look at this recipe I found on  Pinterest  for Creamy Mocha Coffee Caramels . . . it sounds simply delicious!

Grandmas See With Their Heart

Don't you just love this saying! It matters for us to see our grandchildren with our heart and for them to know we always see them through eyes of love.

After all, this is how God sees us - through "eyes" of love. So, make time today to see your grandchildren through eyes of love and show your love - whether they live near or far. It matters and makes a real difference.

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

"No Cows Have Licked My Head!"

There are many wonderful, "perks" to being grandma . . . hugs, kisses, snuggles . . . all wonderful "perks". But another is enjoying the funny things the grandchildren say. I want to share with you something funny my youngest grandson, Shane, said a couple years ago.

I was talking with my oldest grandson, Josiah, about cowlicks and I told him he and his youngest brother each had two cowlicks on their heads. Shane looked at me with surprise and said; "I do not! No cows have licked my head!"

Like I said, "perks"! What funny things have your grandchildren said which left you laughing?

Personalized Palm Tree Vacation Frame from GiftsForYouNow

I was recently invited to review a lovely, fun summer vacation photo frame from GiftsForYouNow - and given the opportunity to give one away as well, so today I am happy to let you know about this frame.

Inspire Cartwheels in Their Hearts

My almost-seven-year-old grandson recently learned to do cartwheels - he has such joy when he is "cartwheeling" across the yard! Joy, absolute joy! 

So, when I read this quote from Mr. Rogers about inspiring cartwheels in my grandson's hearts, I have a very definite picture of what this looks like!

I want to inspire joyful cartwheels in my grandsons' hearts and believe I am able to do so by praying for and with them, encouraging them, laughing with them, playing with them - by loving them with my all. 

On Children's Day we had dinner at my house and my grandsons were able to sit and listen as their parents and grandparents took turns sharing what they love so much about each of them. Their eyes twinkled, they had the biggest smiles on their faces as they listened to the four adults who most influence them tell why they loved them. They had "cartwheels in their hearts".

As the Summer begins and you spend time with your grandchildren in the coming months, or connect on-line if they live far, be sure to take advantage of opportunities to inspire those "cartwheels" in their hearts with those which just come along as well as times you plan. This is part of what it looks like to hand down the faith and it matters!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose 

It is German Chocolate Cake Day & a Recipe for Chocolate Cake

Today is German Chocolate Cake Day - I, of course have to let you know this important information and share my favorite chocolate cake recipe with you . . . even though it is not German Chocolate Cake. But first, some information about German Chocolate Cake I found on-line . . . 

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Tina is the winner of But the Bear Came Back . (You will find all the details at this link.) 

Thank you Tina for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by June 18, 2018 at lyndagcj@gmail.com  so I am able to have it sent to you. Thank you also to Sterling Children's Books for making it available for me to review and give away.

Be Kind. Be Kind. Be Kind.

Simple to say, simple to remember, and actually simple to do, as being kind is not difficult once you make the choice to do so. Encourage your grandchildren to be people who are kind, because when they do this, they truly will be successful in what matters the most - in the type of person they are.

Whenever you "catch" them being kind, notice what they did or said and tell them how happy you are to see them make the choice to be kind. Think of things you are able to do with them which will provide an opportunity for them to be kind - then go do them!

And of course, be certain you model what it looks and sounds like to be a person who is kind - it matters!

"There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind."

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose