crafting with grandma - Let's Make Apples

Fall is nearly upon us and it is also apple time . . . especially if you live in West Michigan as do I! But whether you live in an apple-growing area or not, these little apples are fun to make and are a fun decoration for any time of year!

Today is National Bacon Lovers Day!

When my grandsons spend the night, nearly every Friday or Saturday, we always have bacon for breakfast the next morning, because they enjoy bacon. I am their grandma, so of course we have bacon! When I saw today is National Bacon Lovers Day, I had to let you know . . . it is absolutely a day to celebrate with the ones you love - if they love bacon! So, let's start with some bacon fun facts - did you know . . . 

Watch Out for Those Fire-Breathing Basset Hounds!

I LOVE the imagination of four year olds! I LOVE the way they see the world and how some things are just "obvious" . . . at least if you are four years old! 

It is National Potato Day!

It is National Potato Day! Certainly the potato is a very versatile root and able to be fixed and enjoyed in so many ways, it is most worthy of a day to celebrate it for sure! So let's start with some fun potato facts . . . did you know . . . 

• Potatoes were the first plant grown in space in 1995.
• The Incas of Peru were the first to cultivate potatoes around 8000 BC to 5000 BC.
• In 1974 Eric Jenkins grew 370 pounds from a single potato plant!
• 35% of the potato crop is turned into french fries, 28% is used for fresh, and 13% goes to chips!
• On average, US residents consume 110 pounds of potatoes per year.  Europeans consume twice that much!

You will find more fun potato facts at this link.

There are so many ways to enjoy potatoes, from the simple boiled and mashed to potato soup, au gratin potatoes, in a stew, and of course, french fried potatoes! What is your favorite way to enjoy potatoes? However you like them, gather your family, grab some potatoes and celebrate! Enjoy!

You will find out more about this day at the following link.

happy - Psalm 92 - My Review

Zonderkidz recently sent me the book, happy - Psalm 92 - for review, so today I am happy to let you know about it.

Yes, It Is As Plain As The Nose On Your Face

I heard something the other day which is absolutely true - unless I look in a mirror, or cross-eyed, I can not see my own nose. This does not mean my nose is no longer on my face - just I can not see it. Others are able to see my nose - it is actually one of the first things we see when we look at people.

Today is National Ice Cream Pie Day!

One way we build a strong family is by celebrating together. Clearly this means we celebrate birthdays (and give gifts generously!), Christmas, Thanksgiving, and other holidays - in person, or using tech to connect virtually if distance keeps us apart. These celebrations help us build strong connections and are important.

Hand Down Confident Faith with the little answer book for children

As you have likely noticed, from time to time I write about Barna's and Gallup's recent polls - for a very important reason . . . because we must stand up and take action to stop the loss of the ones we love. If someone does not speak up and ask others to join them, how will grandparents, parents, and church leaders know there is a way to stop what is happening? 

National I Love My Feet Day!

Today is National I Love My Feet Day! Clearly feet make our lives easier . . . at least when it comes from getting from here to there, but they are also handy to have for standing, riding bikes, jumping, dancing, and so many more things! Aren't we all so glad God gave us feet!

So, to celebrate this special day, let's look at some fun feet facts - 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 . . . 

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

 As Christian grandmas (and grandpas/ parents, too) we want to hand down the faith. We want the ones we love to learn to read God's word, learn to pray, learn how to develop their own walk with God, but often we wonder how to do this. We look for resources to help us and happily, now there are many available for us. Today I am very happy to let you know about one such resource; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children which is unique in how it is written/ designed as a tool for you to use with the children you love.

Memories - Build Some Today!

 I live in the house my grandparent's had built back in the 1920's. My dad was born in this house (the photo is of him, his friends, and my grandma in front of the house) and I remember visiting my grandparents and having sleepovers in this house. I remember my grandma baking homemade bread and then giving me a slice with peanut butter on it after it came out of the oven. I remember singing Sunday school songs with my grandpa when I visited them! There are a lot of wonderful memories in this house!

Today is National Tell a Joke Day!

Why don’t cats like online shopping? They prefer a cat-alogue. 

What do you call a cow with no legs? Ground beef.

What is a cat’s favorite song? Three Blind Mice.
What do you call an alligator wearing a vest? An investi-gator.

Okay, well, Today is National Tell a Joke Day, so I thought I'd share a few jokes from the Today Show's Jokes for Kids - you will find more at this link, because of course, one big way to celebrate Tell a Joke Day, is by telling jokes!

Rebounderz Trampoline Park - and So Much More for Family Fun

Last week I was able to take my grandsons to Rebounderz Trampoline Park to review it (thank you Rebounderz) and today I am very happy to let you know about this place of fun for the family!

We began our time at Rebounderz on the Trampoline Arenas, which Rebounderz says "Our patented indoor trampoline park provides the most space to bounce, spin, jump and flip as you try out new tricks off the floor or wall trampolines." The boys enjoyed and returned to the trampoline arenas often during our stay.