Fun with Grandsons - Handprint Shirts

With end-of-season sales, it is the perfect time to grab some simple, black t-shirts. Why you ask? They are perfect for making handprint t-shirts - just grab some fluorescent  paints and you are ready to have some fun making special shirts!

The Language of Science and Faith - a MUST Have Book for us All

I have been writing for some time about the need for us as grandmas (grandpas/parents, as well) to equip ourselves so we know the "whys" - why we are able to believe God is real and trust Him with confidence, so we are able to teach the "whys" to the children we love. When we are losing more of our grandchildren than ever before to atheism, we must step up and take action. We must equip ourselves, find and use resources with them to help them know the "whys", and ask our churches to do the same. 

Grandparenting is about far more than baking cookies, having sleepovers, staying in touch with our grandchildren, and hugs . . . although I am strongly in favor of all those things, it is about handing down confident faith. It is about stepping up and focusing on learning what we need to know so we are able to help the ones we love know what they need to know. We must not fail to do this.

A Family of Her Own for Candy

  

The summer of 2022 my husband, grandsons, and I went to the Humane Society to get a kitten. I wanted my grandsons 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 my grandsons 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 grandson said she reminded him of candy corn.) 

1 Corinthians 13 for Grandmas - and Moms!

In the past I shared things with you which I found in the NIV Mom's Devotional Bible; today I'm sharing another which is all about showing our love - a Mom's (or Grandma's) Version of I Corinthians 13!

"Thought I lecture and harp at my children and have not love, I will be background noise to rebellious  thoughts.  And though I wisely warn them not to use the street as a playground, or they'll be killed; and though I patiently explain why snails live in mobile homes, and I give endless answers to life's other mysteries; and though I have faith which can remove mountains of ignorance - yet never hug my children - I have taught nothing.

And though I slave over a steaming stove with balanced diets and complicated recipes and even burn my fingers - yet never smile as I serve - I have not really fed them.

crafting with grandma - LOVE with Handprints!

When you have little ones at your home, chances are you will also have little handprints . . . on the windows, on the doors, on the furniture . . . in lots of places! Well, yesterday when I was browsing on Pinterest, I found the best idea ever for using those little hands . . . and feet, to make a gift which will be absolutely treasured by anyone who receives it - especially with Valentines Day getting closer!

grandma's cookbook - Blueberry Lemonade Cheese Cake Pie (No Bake!)

Since it is the Great American Pie Month, it is a great time to try new desserts for get-togethers and if the dessert is a tasty no-bake recipe it could not possibly be more perfect! I was browsing on Pinterest and found a recipe for Raspberry Lemonade Cheese Cake Pie, but thought it could easily be switched to Blueberry Lemonade and had to share it with you!

You'll find the recipe at this link - I'd make the following substitutions . . .

Valentine's Day Fun - Give Your Grandchild's Yard a "Heart Attack"!

One day as I browsed on  Pinterest I found an idea which is so cute and fun, I had to share it with you . . . give the yard of someone you love a "heart attack"! All you need is a large heart "stencil", which you can make from cardboard or paper, a sifter, flour and an opportunity to slip unobserved into a their yard!

Get Your Copy of 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! 

Anchored will Help You Teach the "Whys" - More Important Now than Ever

 

Today I want to share about an important, much needed, resource for your church's Children's Ministry - please share this post with the leaders in your church.

Recently I read an article about new Gallup Poll results regarding how fewer people in the USA now see the Bible as the literal Word of God. The new poll showed, what was to me, a shocking result - only 20% of people believe the Bible is the literal Word of God - only 20%. This is the lowest percentage since they began taking this poll in 1976. Even more shocking to me, this is the first time more people - 29% - "say the Bible is a collection of 'fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.'" They went on to say, "This marks the first time significantly more Americans have viewed the Bible as not divinely inspired than as the literal word of God."

It is National Homemade Soup Day

Last month was National Soup Month, but today - February 4, 2024, is National Homemade Soup Day, so I thought I'd share a recipe for a creamy potato soup which will put a smile on the face of any who eat it! So, gather the ingredients (you probably have them already), invite some family and/or friends, and get your soup going . . . it will be a tasty meal for sure!

Make Anytime Funtime with 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!

Read Aloud to a Child Day AND Take a Child to a Library Day!

Today is a day to celebrate not just one special thing, but two . . . it is Read Aloud to a Child Day AND Take a Child to a Library Day! We all know statistics show children are not progressing when it comes to reading. We also all know when we read to a child from their earliest days and when we take them to libraries, we are showing them the value of reading and children who are read to and who visit libraries do better when it comes to reading. They become people who read! "World Read Aloud Day is heavily supported by LitWorld, an organization dedicated to bringing literacy to the world at large." 

My Top Seven Reasons for Enjoying the Butterflies are Blooming at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

If you live in, or near, Grand Rapids, MI, you are most certainly familiar with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - their amazing Butterflies are Blooming Exhibit begins in less than a month, so today I wanted to write about this highlight of the year! I want to share with you a few reasons why this is a not-to-miss experience for you and the children you love!

just for fun - February is the Great American Pie Month!

It is February and February is the Great American Pie Month!  Talk about a tasty month!  Whether you’re in the mood for a fruit pie with a flaky, golden crust or a sweet crème pie with a crunchy cookie crust, this is a month you will enjoy for sure!

So . . . what pie might you make in February? A favorite around here has been Peanut Butter Pie, but you can not go wrong with apple . . . or cherry . . . or blueberry . . . or ???

Today I am happy to share with you a recipe for pie "goodness" - a recipe your grandchildren are able to make - peanut butter, ice cream pie! This is such a tasty and simple pie, and it is the Great American Pie Month so, what could possibly be better?