Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

This "Lost Canadian" is so happy to know my new country is one which truly values truth and making things right. Canada has a history which is not a great one, as does the USA, when it comes to First Nations peoples. But, unlike the USA, Canada faced the truth, stood up, and took steps to do the right thing. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is held annually in Canada on September 30th to honor Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, and to remember the children who never returned home.

Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - Look What People Are Saying About It!

      

I am very happy to say, Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren is available on Kindle and as a print version on Amazon - and it makes a wonderful gift for the parents and grandparents you know! But not only for parents and grandparents as if you are an aunt, uncle, or someone who works with children, this book is for you, too.

Kick Off Summer with an Awesome Children's Day Gift!

 

As I've been saying, Children's Day is June 14th, so if you are looking for something amazing you could give to your grandchildren, check this idea I found on Pinterest for a  Backyard Ball Run - credit for the photo is from the link above. I LOVE this idea . . . it is one you could use for all your grandchildren to share and enjoy together! Give them each a  small package of special items to drop through the ball run and the pieces and involve them in setting it up on your fence - or their own fence at home! What FUN!!! This is a gift your grandchildren - and their parents and you too, can enjoy all summer long! :^)

Today is National Apple Pie Day!

While any day is a wonderful time for apple pie, today is actually National Apple Pie Day, so let's look at some fun facts about one of our favorite pies and then I'll share my favorite recipe for apple pie. Did you know . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Labor Day

I've been writing about several uniquely Canadian holidays, but today I'm writing about a holiday which is basically the same in Canada as it is in the USA - Labor Day. This is what I've learned about Labor Day in Canada . . . 

Make a Difference with illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books

 

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants me to Know book series - The Lost Lamb, The Woman at the Well, The Man with Leprosy, The Good Samaritan, The Pharisee  & the Tax Collector, The Two Builders, and Martha & Mary so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!

Children's Day Fun . . . Make Your Own Side-Walk Chalk!

Children's Day is Sunday, June 14th, so if you are looking for something fun you could make for your grandchildren, or have them make, take a look at this "recipe" I found online to make your own side-walk chalk! Just follow the link and get ready for lots of fun!

Tomorrow is National Tulip Day

  

May 13th is National Tulip Day - while the tulips have already bloomed in my tiny "garden" in Michigan where I live, I personally love tulips - they are SO pretty and colorful! Do you have any flowers which bring you happiness to see them in bloom? 

I live just 30 minutes from Holland, MI - home of the Tulip festival, and as you might imagine, tulips are a big deal in this area when they are blooming each May. Pretty much everyone around here has tulips which bloom in their flower gardens - even people like me who have the "black thumb of death" when it comes to growing plants!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Civic Holiday

If you are not familiar with Canadian Holidays, you may wonder - as I did - what is "Civic Holiday"? Well, I looked on-line and learned quite a bit about it which I am happy to share with you today!  Canada's Civic Holiday is a public holiday observed on the first Monday of August each year. It is not a federally mandated statutory holiday. Instead, observance and statutory pay rules depend heavily on the specific province or municipality. 

Because the holiday is determined at the regional level, it goes by many different names and is celebrated with various local traditions across the country.

Make a Difference with illustrate my own - Unknown Bible Hero books

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book which you need to provide the illustrations for, you may think it is not the book for you. But, in this case with the  illustrate my own Known Bible Hero and illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books, nothing could be farther from the truth! These books give you the unique opportunity to engage with the children you love in ways you never have when you read a book about a real Bible person, as since you and/or they will be providing the illustrations, you get to talk about what is happening, think through what the Bible person is saying, and basically really pay attention to the details so you are able to provide the illustrations! Just think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have about the Bible people and how what they learned applies to you as well! These books are no ordinary Bible person storybook and they make fantastic Children's Day gifts!

Sweet & Fun New Additions to the Children's Garden at Meijer Gardens!

Yesterday I write about the Lena Meijer Children's Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Today I want to let you know about two new additions to this wonderful area at Meijer Gardens  . . . 

crafting with grandma - Summer Fun for Children's Day - Ice Chalk!

 

Children's Day is on June 14, 2026 . . . so, if you would like to get a "jump start" on making some fun gifts which your grandchildren will enjoy, check this idea I found on Pinterest for Ice Chalk!!! Follow this link  (which is where I got this photo) and you'll find seven different recipes for making Ice Chalk - it would be fun to make with your grandchildren, or to surprise them with on Children's Day or throughout the Summer for some cool fun!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canada Day

Today I'm happy to let you know about another holiday in Canada - Canada Day which is celebrated every year on July 1st. Some people think Canada Day is like the 4th of July in the US, but this "Lost Canadian" has learned while both holidays involve independence from the United Kingdom, Canada Day marks the beginning of Canada's path to sovereignty—starting with Confederation in 1867. Complete independence came gradually, with major milestones in 1931 (Statute of Westminster) and 1982 (Constitution Act). Here are the details you need to know about celebrating Canada Day . . . 

Family Fun in the Lena Meijer Children's Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Today I want to write about two of the particularly wonderful, much-loved-by-children features in the Lena Meijer Children's Garden - the Great Lakes Garden and a summer little "splash pad" inside the circle of children sculptures to your left as you enter the Children's Garden. First let me tell you about the amazing Great Lakes Garden . . .