Summer Reading - The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures!

 

Recently I shared how when my grandsons were young and at my house for a sleepover, we typically made up stories at bedtime. They almost always had monsters or dinosaurs in them. One night when my oldest grandson was six, my middle grandson was three, and my youngest grandson was one, we were getting them into bed when my oldest grandson said he saw a monster under his brother's bed! This was not what my middle grandson wanted to hear, so I said there could not be any monsters under his bed because the monsters were at their poppa's and grandma's house getting ready for bed on their sleepover. My grandsons found this idea very interesting, so of course, our bedtime story for the night had to have little, ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monster boys getting ready for bed and being scared because they thought they saw, teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people boys under their beds! 

Tomorrow - July 20th - is International Chess Day

All three of my grandsons enjoy playing chess. They often want to play chess with me when they are at my house - primarily because they always beat me. My middle grandson has won games with me by making fewer than five moves - I still do not know how he did that! My oldest grandson likes to play chess with me - he also often beats me with fewer than ten moves. My youngest grandson will play chess with me IF he is able to start without his queen - the last time we did this he managed to get two queens back, and yes, he won. 

There are many reasons teaching children to play chess is something which benefits them - did you know . . . 

Summer Reading - A Crocodile Should NEVER Skip Breakfast

I am SO happy to let you know about a most funny book from Kids Can Press - one you and the children you love are certain to enjoy . . . A Crocodile Should NEVER Skip Breakfast by Collene Larmour. This book had me actually laughing - it is excellent!

Summer Reading - 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? 

Summer Reading - Duck!

Yesterday I received a new box of books from Kidscan Publishing - I love these books and will start letting you know about them tomorrow! There are many excellent storybooks available for children to enjoy - the one I'm "re-sharing" with you today for my Summer Reading posts was sent to me a few years ago by Candlewick Press and I am extremely happy to to remind you of it again today! Duck! by Meg McKinlay and illustrated by Nathaniel Eckstrom is absolutely a book you will want to have in your own library - and give to your grandchildren as well.

Summer Reading - For You - the little answer book: for life's most important questions

 

Do you have someone in your family who once walked with God, but no longer do? Someone who at one time went to and was active in their church, but today they say they are not even sure if God is real? Or, do you know someone for whom these things are true?

Summer Reading - My Heart is Like a Zoo

Every once in awhile a book comes along which is so unique, so delightful, so much fun . . . My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall is one such book, so today as I wait for more books to arrive for my Summer Reading reviews, I'm very happy to let you know about this book.

Summer Reading AND Activity - Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith

If you are looking for something to help you hand down confident
faith, then take a close look at Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith! This resource will provide you with 52 weeks of Bible learning, science projects, crafts, cooking and much more - all designed to make it easy for you to hand down confident faith while engaging the children you love in interesting, fun and active learning.

July is National Ice Cream Month

By the way, did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?! I do enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream, but since I've been focused on losing weight (I've lost 100lbs since the start of 2020!), I rarely eat this sweet treat. I have found, however; sorbetto on a stick - especially the mini-size only has 50 calories per serving! Hooray! 

But back to ice cream - let's look at some ice cream fun facts - did you know . . .

Summer Reading - Do NOT Open This Book!

 

I have reviewed this book before, but as I think about books my grandsons have loved which I am able to recommend for Summer Reading fun, this one is definitely a book I happily recommend! It was sent a few years ago for review from Scholastic - and today I am very happy to let you know about, Do NOT Open This Book!

Summer Reading - For You! - Don't Worry: It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren

   

I've been writing for several years about how important it is for us, as grandparents to hand down a heritage of confident faith. One way I do this is to let you know about resources to help you as you do this. 

Today I'm letting you know about a book I wrote . . . Don't Worry: It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren In this book, along with sharing some of my "cute-grandson stories", I talk about important things for grandparents to think about and keep in mind as they focus on handing down a heritage of confident faith to their grandchildren. I talk about -

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

Since today is Global Hug Your Kids Day, this book is a great "fit". 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!

Today is Global Hug Your Kids Day!

Now this is a "day" this grandma is very willing to celebrate - although, for the most part, I hugged grown kids and grandkids yesterday when they were here - I'm sending virtual hugs to them today and hugging my grown daughter since she is at my house today! So, to celebrate this wonderful day, let's look at some of the benefits of hugs - did you know . . .

Summer Reading - for You! - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

Our DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically. 

Yes, our physical DNA tells our cells and bodies how to Develop, Live and Reproduce, but let's think for a moment about another type of "DNA". A Spiritual DNA. More specifically, our "Faith and Prayer DNA". What are a, "Faith and Prayer DNA" you ask? Well, just as our physical DNA provides the code for how our bodies develop, live and reproduce, our "Faith and Prayer DNA" gives us the code or instructions which help us learn to develop a strong walk of faith, live as people who believe and reproduce by handing down to our children and our children's children a strong, confident and healthy walk of faith.