Facebook Nana

Tuesday’s Thought

Wonders never cease. I did it! I’m now on Facebook (an Internet social network, www.facebook.com). Why? Because I want to stay in touch with a grown son who speaks “Facebook.”

Years ago this same son really wanted to communicate with his grandmother by e-mail. My sister and I bought Mother an e-machine and paid for the monthly Internet cost. But Mom said she was too old to learn all of the new technology, and the e-machine was returned.

That was about 10 years ago. Ten years filled with graduations, and dating, and weddings, and the birth of Mom’s great-grandbabies.

I dearly love my mom, but I made a note to self when she didn’t learn how to use e-mail: “Be uncomfortable. Learn new technology if that’s what it takes to stay in touch with loved ones.”

It’s so easy to send e-mails—once you learn how to do it. And after my son taught me how to use Facebook, I realized that it’s also really easy to use. My fears were unfounded, as were Mom’s a decade ago.

If you have electronically savvy grandchildren, ask them what is the best way to communicate with them—by e-mail, Facebook, or by cell phone. They’ll likely be thrilled if you ask them to teach you how to use today’s technology. Especially when they realize that you want to connect with their hearts.

He is able,
Mary
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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A New Year's Eve Tradition

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought

For years, Pops and I have made a list of our wishes, dreams, and prayer requests for the New Year. We put it in an envelope marked “read December 31, _____” and pack the envelope away with the Christmas ornaments.

On New Year’s Eve of the following year, we read whatever we wrote. It’s always amazing to see ways that God answered, and didn’t answer, various things.

We could encourage older grandchildren to begin this tradition with us. We could call or e-mail them next New Year’s Eve and see how God answered their “wish list" and share how He answered ours.

Happy New Year,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
Grand Connection blog
Examiner.com column

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© 2008 by Mary May Larmoyeux.

Let’s Make Salt Dough Ornaments

Friday's Fun

In our family’s Christmas ornament collection are a few remaining relics from my childhood—handmade salt dough ornaments. I remember using cookie cutters to form some shapes and then I made others ... Well, let’s just say they’re definitely original.

The November issue of Family Fun magazine has pictures of salt dough ornaments in the shape of “family faces.” What a creative idea!

Since Pops and I will have a four-year-old grandchild with us this weekend, I thought it would be fun to make a few ornaments together.

Here’s the basic recipe:

Salt Dough Ornaments (not edible)

2 cups regular flour
1 cup regular salt
3/4 cup warm water

· Combine flour and salt.
· Add water.
· Knead until smooth.
· Shape ornaments
(You may want to roll out the dough and use cookie-cutters to cut various shapes.)
· Bake in 275 degree oven on foil-lined cookie sheet for two hours.
· Cool completely.
· Decorate with acrylic paints.
· When the ornaments are dry, seal with a coat of varnish or Mod Podge ®.
(You can purchase Mod Podge at a craft store.)

If you don’t want to use acrylic paints, you could add food coloring.

Here are just a few links to various salt dough recipes on the Internet:

Holiday Project: Salt Dough Cookie Ornaments

How to make salt dough ornaments

Microwave salt dough ornaments

Stamped Dough Ornaments

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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Memories from a Christmas Tree

Tuesday’s Thought

As Jim and I decorated the Christmas tree this past weekend, we were reminded of how time flies by. We pulled out ornaments from yesteryear and saw some small handmade decorations adorned with pictures of little boys and girls who are now grown … and have Christmas trees and children of their own.

Dated satin balls are hanging on our tree. Jim's parents gave them to us when each of our children were born. There’s a construction-paper star covered in glitter that dangles from a red ribbon. And a paper angel, that must be two decades old, faithfully crowns our tree. It’s surrounded by various cross ornaments and miniature nativities that remind us of the real meaning of Christmas.

Resting on the tree skirt is an ornament of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. My brother and his wife gave it to us a very long time ago. Who would have guessed that the New Orleans they knew then would not exist today. As I held the small replica I was reminded that things don’t stay the same … that it’s important to value today, because tomorrow is not promised.

When Jim and I hung the silver icicles, I remembered my own dad telling us kids to hang them one by one—no “throwing” of icicles allowed. (How I’d love to see Dad today!)

And with each handmade stocking, I recalled a yesterday when our house was filled with the sounds of children 24-7.

Ah … Christmas! It’s filled with so many hopes and dreams. And it overflows with sweet memories of times … and places … and people … who will always live in our hearts.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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Let's Make a Gingerbread House

Friday’s Fun

For almost two decades, our family has made gingerbread houses during the Christmas holidays. We have a great time doing this!

I use the following recipe, adapted from one printed years ago in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Basic Corn Syrup Gingerbread Dough

9 cups unsifted flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind (optional)
One and one-half tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups light corn syrup
One and one-half cups light brown sugar firmly packed
One and one-fourth cups butter or margarine

Combine flour, lemon rind, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a large bowl. Stir together corn syrup, brown sugar and butter in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and ingredients are well mixed. Pour liquid mixture into flour mixture and stir until blended.

Form dough into a ball and knead until smooth and pliable. Roll out dough and cut into 1/4" thickness, using a lightly floured rolling pin. Cut out desired shapes for houses and gingerbread men. We cut out a cardboard pattern with three shapes (cut two of each shape):

roof—5 1/4" x 3 1/2"

side—4 1/4" x 3 1/2"

and peaked side 2 3/4" x 3 1/2" with triangle on top. The peak of the triangle is 4 1/2" from the base of the rectangle it sits on.

You can make the houses as large or small as you like. The above recipe will make two small gingerbread houses and a few gingerbread men (use cookie cutters for them).

Put shapes on cookie sheets that have been sprayed or greased lightly with Crisco (or something similar). Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until shapes are firm and lightly browned. Cool shapes completely on racks before assembling.

Snow Frosting

3 egg whites (if possible, at room temperature)
1 pound box confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon cream of tartar

Place the above ingredients in a large bowl and beat at medium or high speed until stiff (approximately 5 minutes). Cover with damp cloth.

Makes about 2 cups.

Use this to glue houses together, attach decorations and make icicles. After building house, allow frosting to dry at least one hour before decorating. I allow the houses to dry overnight. To see more pictures of the gingerbread house assembly, visit www.marymaywrites.com.

It’s so fun for Pops and me to watch the grandkids make gingerbread houses now—brings back great memories while making some new ones.

Hope that you and your family will be able to make a gingerbread house together.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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The Baton of Legacy

Tuesday’s Thought

Everyone who submits a comment (or e-mail) from October 21-December 5 will be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a copy of While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms [Grandmoms] to Pray and “What God Wants for Christmas.” I’ll draw a name on December 6 and will announce the winner’s name in the December 8 blog.

As our family was enjoying turkey and dressing last Thursday, I recalled a Thanksgiving Day about 15 years ago. My mom and dad were visiting for the holidays and our sons were in school.

We were sharing our blessings and my dad said he was thankful that he had a good wife. Mom couldn’t understand him. “What?” she asked. “You want a new wife?”

We leaned back in our chairs and laughed, and a Thanksgiving memory was etched on our hearts.

When I think of Mom and Dad, I can still see them holding hands (even after being married for 50 years) and kneeling side-by-side at the foot of their bed to pray. I can see Mom wipe a tear from her eyes and can hear her say, “I still miss him [my dad] so much."

Flash forward to Thanksgiving 2008— Our sons, their wives, and our five grandchildren are gathered around our table with Pops and me. My dad is in heaven and Mom can’t travel any more. Life has changed, but Mom and Dad's legacy of devotion to one another, love of family, and devotion to God has not.

Psalm 78:4 says, "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

Jim and I are now the grandparents. The baton of legacy is in our hands. It is up to us to tell the next generation.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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Simmering Holiday Potpourri (non-edible)

Friday's Fun

With the day after Thanksgiving comes thoughts of Christmas. Last night our grandkids actually decorated gingerbread houses and had a great time! Next week's Friday's Fun will have this recipe and pictures.

But for today, I thought we could be reminded of Helen Austin's fun recipe for non- edible potpourri. It was in the last issue of Encouraging Women with Hearts for their Homes. In case you missed it, or like me thought ... I'll make that a little later, here's it is.

Helen wrote:

Here's a recipe for a simmering potpourri you can use right on the stove top. Just keep the saucepan handle turned away from little hands and paws and your kitchen will smell like you've been baking for days!

HOLIDAY SIMMERING POTPOURRI

3 or 4 pieces of dried orange peel (see NOTE)
1 teaspoon cinnamon chunks (available in bulk at Whole Foods Market)
OR 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks
1/4-1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
2 or 3 pieces of star anise (also available at Whole Foods)
1/4-1/2 cup whole fresh cranberries (optional)

NOTE: To dry orange peel, score an orange in quarters, then remove peel and as much of white pith as possible. (Add orange sections to a fruit salad.) Place on flat surface, such as the kitchen counter, for several days.

This is not edible. Don't even use it to season cider or wine. If using cinnamon sticks, break up into 3 or 4 pieces. Then place contents in a small saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover loosely (vent top of saucepan slightly). Add water as needed; don't let mixture dry out. Be sure to turn off the heat before you leave the house. The fragrance will remain for awhile.

Making Christmas potpourri with an older grand would be a fun activity. If your grandchild lives out of town, you could mail their parents the recipe and talk on the cell phone with your older grand while he/she makes it.

Have a great weekend!

He is able,

Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

Photo Credit: © Nicolás Batista/Dreamstime.com

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Giving Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
—Psalm 107:1

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving will be here in a couple of days. Our sons and their families will be with us and we’re really looking forward to some good family time! My hope is that you, too, will be with your loved ones.

Sometimes I overestimate what I can do for the holidays—wanting to make them extra special for everyone. I’m really trying to do better at knowing my limits. Can you identify? I wanted to use pretty china for Thanksgiving this year, but the more Jim and I talked about it, the more impractical it seemed—with five grandkids from 1 – 6 years of age.

It will be great for young and old to share blessings with one another around our Thanksgiving table. The branches of our little Thanksgiving tree are filled with reminders of God’s goodness during this past year.

Although I’m very grateful to God for His many blessings, I’m also very aware that we’re not in heaven yet. Our society wants to breathe the fairy dust of perfection on the holidays, but there’s no perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas. And there’s sure no perfect Nana or Pops.

After our Thanksgiving feast and time of remembering, we’ll enjoy a family tradition—making gingerbread houses for Christmas. (I’ll share the recipe in one of the Friday's Fun columns.) We’ve done that since our sons were little boys. It seems unreal that their children are now making the gingerbread houses.

Happy Thanksgiving!

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


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Thanksgiving Placecards

Friday’s Fun

Here’s one more Thanksgiving activity that you can do with your grandkids: make Thanksgiving placecards.

Our four-year-old granddaughter and I made our placecards tonight. I cut one 8 ½ x 11 piece of card stock into quarters. Then each quarter was folded in half and decorated with fall leaves.

I’ll write names on the placecards after the leaves have dried overnight. And, yes, the placecards will be on our Thanksgiving
table.

Here are some more creative ideas for special placecards.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


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The Purple Flowers are Somehow Living

Tuesday’s Thought

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21)


This morning as I was leaving for work, I couldn’t help but notice a few Chrysanthemum flowers peeking from behind the stalks of what used to be gorgeous Zenias. Despite several early morning temperatures below freezing, the purple flowers are somehow living.

This evening I googled Chrysanthemums and discovered that there are two types: “hardy mums” and “florist mums.” As you might guess, florist mums are not very likely to make it through cold winters.

This may be a strange thought, but as I saw a few bright mums in the midst of dried out and dead Zenias, I thought of grandkids and life.

I hope and pray that our grandkids will be like those bright flowers in the midst of a decaying world. That they will be “hardy,” grounded in Scripture and able to survive the cold seasons of their lives. That there will be something wonderfully different about them—a beauty that attracts others to them … and to Christ.

As our gradkids get older, I want to talk with them about world events from a biblical viewpoint by keeping up with current events through blogs like Culture Watch and Truth and Culture Weekly and by reading magazines like World and Citizen Magazine.

And I want to remember that no matter what season of life—for Jim and me, our kids, or grandkids, God never changes.

He wants us to be “hardy,” and will always give us wisdom ... if we’ll only ask.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


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Let's Make a Thanksgiving Tree

Everyone who submits a comment (or e-mail) from October 21-December 5 will be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a copy of While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms [Grandmoms] to Pray and “What God Wants for Christmas.” I’ll draw a name on December 6 and will announce the winner’s name in the December 8 blog.

Friday Fun

We have something new at our house this year—a Thanksgiving tree. Well, it’s not a real tree. It’s a small plastic “cheese” tree … originally designed for cubes of cheese to cover its branches.

But instead of cheese, this year the little tree is covered with small notes of thanks to God for what He has done during the year. Jim and I and the grandkids have been periodically jotting down things we’re thankful for and attaching them to the tree. (We use various types of clips to attach the notes.) We’ll read all of the notes on Thanksgiving Day.

Our little granddaughter is especially excited about the Thanksgiving tree. She tells me what she’s thankful for and I write it on her card. Then she colors the card. I love the fact that she asks me over and over to write, “I thank God for Mommy and Daddy.”

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


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Have you ever worried about your grandkids?

Tuesday's Thought*

Have you ever worried about your grandkids? Have you wondered what kind of world they’ll live in? Have you ever feared whether they’ll have the same religious freedom that our generation has known?

I have.

But whenever I worry, I am saying to God that I don’t know if He’s up to the challenge. And, of course, we know He is. Any human challenge is absolutely nothing to Almighty God.

I heard someone once say that worry is to Satan what prayer is to God. Ouch! That’s getting a little close to home. I don’t want to please Satan by worry! I do want to honor God through prayer.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight."

What a great promise! Verse 7 goes on to say, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil."

These words remind me not to operate according to my own wisdom—not to be wise in my own eyes. And I’m struck that this instruction is given right after we are told to trust God totally.

The natural inclination is to trust in myself and try to fix things. The Christ-centered response is to remember how God has worked in my life in the past and trust Him for today and tomorrow.

When I remember how God parted the Red Sea and how Jesus rose from the dead … I know that He is up to any challenge. And when I count the many ways that He has intervened in my life over decades … I know that He is able.

So, today, I’m reminded that the greatest thing I can do for our grandkids today, is to pray for them. Yes, no one know what tomorrow holds. But, as it has been said before, We know the One who holds the future.

And He can be trusted.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

*The picture was taken by Jim Larmoyeux. © by Jim Larmoyeux. All rights reserved. Used with permission.


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Let's Make Napkin Rings

Friday’s Fun

Here’s something fun and easy we can to do with the grandkids—make napkin rings. Two year olds can even put together the simple ones pictured here. To make them, just cut some toilet paper rolls in half (I actually folded the rolls in half and cut them), cover them with foil, and added a sticker. What could be simpler?

Instead of using foil, older grands could paint them and add decorative drawings. Of course, holiday themes could be added such as stickers of turkeys and Christmas trees. Or, shapes such as stars and bells that have been cut out of cardboard, painted, and decorated with glitter could be glued to the napkin rings.

I’m going to help our nearby grands make some holiday napkin rings and will be mailing our long-distance grands some stickers and sheets of foil along with a copy of this post and a letter from Nana. (Their mom will have plenty of toilet paper tubes.)

You can google other napkin rings ideas. I liked these do-it-yourself napkin rings.

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com


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November 4—Election Day

Tuesday's Thought

Soon we will know who will be the next President of the United States.

I remember going with Mom and Dad to vote as a child. We waited in line at an elementary school near our house. Somehow I realized that voting was a privilege not to be taken lightly.

If you have older grandchildren, today’s a great time to talk with them about the cost of freedom—the men and women who gave their lives so that we can be a free country ... and vote.

It’s a great time to share memories of voting. Did you go to the polls with your parents? How has the voting process changed in your lifetime? We could share these memories with a stroke of the pen, a phone call, or e-mail.

And it’s a great time to write grandchildren a letter reminding them that regardless of the outcome of any election, God is sovereign.

As Psalm 103:19 tells us: The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Paper Hand-Print Wreath

Friday's Fun

With a little help, the grandkids can have a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving wreath.

· Cut a wreath ring out of poster board or cardboard and set this aside.

· Trace each grandchild’s hands on colored construction paper (choose fall colors).

. Repeat this several times.

· Help the grandkids write something they are thankful for on each leaf. (Of course, older grandchildren could do this by themselves.)

· Now, randomly layer/glue the hands around the wreath until it is covered.

· You may want to decorate the leaves with some pumpkin or turkey stickers.

Here are some examples of various autumn hand-print wreaths:

Handprint Thanksgiving Wreath

Autumn Handprint Wreath “a”

Autumn Handprint Wreath “b”

Thanksgiving Handprint Craft

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

*Photo © Margaret Thompson. Used with permission.

Stuck in Traffic

Friday Fun

Have you ever been grateful for waiting in long lines of traffic? I don’t know that I have.

Tina Miller shares a really good idea in her book In the Light of the Dark:

Most car licenses have three letters on them. As you are sitting in traffic or driving about, think about words that describe God or extol Him. My own car tabs [license plate] have GSL, and I’ve chosen Gracious Sovereign Lord. It could just as easily be God, our Savior and Lord or Giver and Supplier of Love. The possibilities are endless. Here are some more:

· HPP: Holy Protector Provider
· DSH: Deliver Savior Helper
· JRF: Jehovah Redeems Faithfully

What a great idea! It could help you and me and our grands exercise our spiritual and mental muscles.

Of course, we could use this same idea to do a little work on those grammar skills. Older grands could name nouns, verbs, or adjectives that begin with the first three letters on license plates:

· HPP: holly, popcorn, pumpkin (nouns)
· DSH: dash, sit, hop (verbs)
· JRF: juicy, red, funny (adjectives)

Hope that you and your grands have a little fun next time you are stuck in traffic together.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Does God Sleep?

Tuesday’s Thought

One of our grands is trying to stop sucking her thumb ... trying. The other day I said: “Did you ask God to help you?”

“Yes,” she replied, “But He must have been sleeping.”

A smile crept from my lips as I recognized a perfect opportunity to help a little girl apply life to God’s Word.

"Let's see what the Bible says about God sleeping," I said and looked up "sleep" in the index of my Bible. I turned to Psalm 121:36 and read out loud: “He who watches over you will not slumber [sleep].”

“Honey, does God sleep?”

“No,” she said and paused for about a half of a second. “I guess I wasn’t listening.”

Somehow her words struck me as quite profound: I wasn’t listening. I wonder how many times God speaks to me and I'm not listening.

Psalm 81:13a says, “If my people would but listen to me. (NIV)" The Message, a Bible paraphrase, words this same verse a little differently: "Oh, dear people, will you listen to me now?"

Today, I'm gong to make an effort to be still and listen. Really listen.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Made with Love

Tuesday’s Thought
Our 3-year-old granddaughter and her 1½-year-old brother spent this past weekend with Pops and me. One of the things that we did together was make a cake.When the kids’ parents came over for lunch, they remarked that the cake was especially good.

The three year old cocked her head. “Know why?” she asked.

“Why?” her dad answered.

“I poured the cake mix in with all of my love,” she said. “The goodness you taste is my love.”

Out of the mouths of babes! She captured the real reason why she wanted to help make the cake. And, she expressed why caring grandparent do what we do. We cook meals, baby-sit, go to football games, pray, and read goodnight stories not out of obligation—but out of love.

Love—there’s nothing better, is there?

I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:13,“And now these three remains: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Fall Fun (Acrylic Paints, Pumpkin Centerpiece, and More)

Friday’s Fun

Well, today is Friday and two of our grands (almost 4 and 1 ½) will be spending the weekend. I’ve already made a trip to the hobby store. We’re going to make the fall placemats that I blogged about on September 26, and we’ll also decorate some plastic cups.

I learned today that you need acrylic paints for plastic … so, we now have acrylic paints. After a trip to the dollar store for the cups, we’ll be all set.

Painting can be messy for kids. If you're looking for an inexpensive “smock,” you could cut holes in an old pillowcase (for the child’s head and arms). I found disposable smocks online at Rex Art. Rex also sells an inexpensive child’s canvas apron with pockets that can be painted. Hummmm ... painting a grand's name on one of the aprons could make a fun Christmas present!

I was looking at Michael’s website and found a neat idea for an Autumn Pumpkin Centerpiece. It could be the perfect centerpiece to go with the kids’ fall placemats. You might want to scroll Michael’s site for the creative craft pumpkins ideas. I especially like Super Pumpkin.

Do you have any ideas for creative ways to decorate a pumpkin this year? Please share it in a comment or e-mail it to me at mary@marymaywrites.com.

Have a great weekend!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Just a Little Thing

Tuesday's Thought

Last Tuesday I shared that our three-year-old grand and I were going on a "field trip in honesty." I was going to take her with me to the store and pay money that I owed for incorrectly charged items. I promised to give you an update, so here it is.

Actually, it was a pretty uneventful experience. I explained what happened to the customer service representative (and to our grandchild) and wrote a check for what I owed. Our grand and I talked about why it's always important to be honest. It was just a little thing.

But little things count, don't they? I still remember my dad explaining to me that when I write a check it's a promise—a promise that the money is in the bank.

When someone carries groceries to my car, I remember how Mom would always tip the young man or lady who helped her with her groceries ... and I do the same.

And at times when I look up at the moon on a dark night I remember Dad and I standing in the backyard together decades ago. He pointed up to the moon and said, "A man walked on that moon today." (I'm really dating myself now, aren't I!)

Life is made up of little things. Little moments that transform themselves into days ... and months ... and years.

I love what Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson said in their book Let's Make a Memory: "We have this moment to hold in our hand, and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand. Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, But we have this moment today!"

I hope that the moments that my three-year-old grand and I spent on our "field trip in honesty" made a lasting impression. Yes, it was a little thing.

But little things do count.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Weekend

Friday’s Fun

Two of our grands will soon be spending the weekend with Pops and me (ages 3 ½ and 1 ½). The three year old and I are going to make leaf placemats and also decorate plastic cups to go with the placemats. If you’ve ever painted plastic cups and have any tips, I’d really appreciate your comment about this.

Speaking of crafts, a friend recently returned from visiting her out-of-town nieces and nephew. She shared that she took them all to a craft store one day and let them each purchase one item. Then she helped them begin making their crafts before she left to return home. She said she's their favorite aunt. I wonder why?

Now, if you have an out-of-town grand and don’t plan to visit soon, you could mail them a craft. Either mail them one as a surprise or call/e-mail and ask the grands what they would like.

If your grandchildren surf the net, ask them to log onto a particular online craft site and help them select an item that they would like to make. You could even talk with them on the phone while both you and your grand are looking at the same website. You may want to purchase an identical craft, and you and your grand could compare your progress via the phone or e-mail. If you're into pictures on the cell phone, you could share your craft progress even though you lives miles from one another.

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

A Field Trip in Honesty

Tuesday’s Thought

Several weeks ago, I mentioned a wonderful book that I’m praying through for our grands, While They Were Sleeping by Anne Arkins and Gary Harrell (It can be ordered from FamilyLife.). It focuses on praying for 12 character traits in our kids’/grandkids’ lives.

Since Jim and I have five grandkids, I use While They Were Sleeping to pray for one grand each day of the workweek (Monday-Friday). I’ve been praying through the “Teachability” section. It explains that teachability is developing a heart-attitude that seeks God’s guidance for living to honor Him each day. Well, on Wednesday, our three-year-old granddaughter and I are going to have a "field trip."

Recently, I purchased some items for our out-of-town grands who were spending the weekend. They included a nightgown and a pair of church socks. When I checked the receipt, I realized that somehow the price for the nightgown had rung up for $1.80 instead of $9.99 and the socks weren’t even on the tab!

I’ve got to go back to the store, I moaned to myself. And then I thought, Ahhh … A teaching opportunity. ... but, I didn’t have time that weekend to return to the store.

So, when our in-town grand comes over in a couple of days, we're going to bring the incorrect receipt to the store and explain what happened. I want to pay the money owed and talk to our grand about what it means to be honest. I hope that God will prepare her little heart so this will be a teachable moment—one that might be etched in her mind forever.

Next Monday I’ll give you an update on our “field trip in honesty.”

How have you seized teachable moments with your grands?

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Let's Make Fall Placemats

Friday Fun

It’s beginning to feel a lot like … fall. Don’t you just love the cool autumn days and the changing colors! What a great time to make fall placemats with your grandkids.

Here’s how:

· Snap some pictures of the grands holding pumpkins, sitting in a pile of leaves, or standing by trees that are turning fall colors. Print out the pictures. Glue or tape the back of each selected picture onto a piece of placemat-size construction paper.

· Help your grand write a Bible verse about changing seasons on each placemat, such as Daniel 2:21: “He changes times and seasons.” Discuss the verse and memorize it together.

· Now, help your grand decorate the placemat with personal drawings, his/her name, stickers, prints of leaves made from a purchased leaf stamp or a homemade “potato leaf stamp” (directions below), words describing things he/she is grateful for, etc.

· Date each place mat.

· You can either laminate the placemats with clear Contact paper or go to a teacher supply store or copy shop and have them laminated professionally.


How to Make a Leaf Potato Stamp

Wash several baking potatoes and cut them in half (width). Using a sharp knife, carve out the shape of a leaf (a different shape on each potato).

On each potato, cut away the potato surrounding the shape so that the shape of the leaves will be about one-fourth of an inch. Presto—you have your stamp.

Pour paints of fall colors into bowls (throw-away bowls are nice to use). Help your grand dip a stamp into a shallow bowl of paint. Now it’s ready for your grand to stamp his/her masterpiece.

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Popsicle Stick Fun

Friday's Fun

Popsicle crafts can provide hours of fun for the grands. Last weekend one of our granddaughters made the cutest picture frame.

She colored four Popsicle sticks with magic markers, and then we glued them together with wood glue. She added her decorative touch to the frame, and it was ready for a picture (to be glued to the back of the frame).

I googled “Popsicle crafts” and discovered countless craft ideas for them. One clever idea is a “tick-tac-toe” board. It’s so simple to make! Place and glue four Popsicle sticks onto a piece of heavy construction paper—so that they make the shape of a tic-tac-toe board. Then cut out three identical objects for the “x’s” and “o’s” (these could be slipped into a zip-lock bag for storage). That’s all there is to it—presto… you have a travel game. This link will lead you to more detailed directions (and a picture): http://crafts.kaboose.com/wood/crafts-popsicle-sticks.html.

Have a great weekend!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

The picture of the popsicle sticks is by Ami Beyer. © Ami Beyer | Dreamstime.com.

How about a Handshake?

Friday's Thought

What grandchild (or any of us, for that matter) couldn’t use a few more manners? With a little imagination, teaching kids about manners can be a lot of fun!

In the July/August/September issue of the e-zine Encouraging Women with Hearts for their Homes, June Moore's column shared about the correct way to shake someone’s hand. After reading June's article, you may want to have a little fun with your grand.

If you have a young grandchild, he/she could dress up and you could practice shaking one another's hand—the correct way. My guess is that you'll share a few laughs, too.

Here's an example: Your grand could dress up as a principal, doctor, or a parent. And you could play the role of a teacher (meeting the principal), nurse (greeting the doctor), or an adult friend (meeting the parent). After shaking hands, switch roles.

Older grands, especially those wanting to start part-time jobs, may be eager to learn this social grace.

FYI, June's new book is called Manners Made Easy for the Family. She has written many others including You Can Raise a Well-Mannered Child.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Plugged In

Tuesday’s Thought

Last week, a fluorescent light burned out above my desk at work. It was on one minute and off the next. Before a helpful man in the Facilities Department replaced the light, he asked: “What’s wrong with it?”

“Oh, it’s burned out,” I knowingly answered. I had tried turning it off and on several times before requesting a new light. I was sure it was burned out.

“Have you checked to see if it’s plugged in?” He asked.

Hummm—hadn’t thought of that. With a little jiggle of the plug, once again there was light!

Sometime later that day, I thought How many times do I forget to plug into the real Power?

This true-life illustration could be a fun one to reenact with a grandchild. Unplug a lamp and ask your grand to tell you why there’s no light--no power to the lamp. Like my friend from the Facilities Department, ask “Have you checked to see if it’s plugged in?”

Then explain to your grandchild that being connected (or "plugged in") to God gives him/her the power to make good choices and live a God-honoring life.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Lessons Learned

Tuesday’s Thought

The names of those who left a comment during July or August were entered into a drawing for a copy of the book While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms [Grandmoms] to Pray.

And the winner is ... Gayla Grace. Congrats, Gayla!


As I’m writing this, almost two million people have been evacuated from the Gulf in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav’s arrival this morning. Most are now breathing a sigh of relief as Gustav has been downgraded to a Category One.

Evacuating 1.9 million people in several days is no small feat. I think that everyone would say that the local, state, and federal governments learned a lot from what did not happen with Hurricane Katrina, and they applied what they learned.

As I thought about the hard lessons learned from Katrina, I thought about some hard lessons that I’ve learned in my life—to wait on God’s timing, to hold my tongue, to save that dollar today because we might need it tomorrow. Proverbs 28:26b (The Message) says, “Real survivors learn wisdom from others.”

As grandparents, we have an opportunity to share some of our life-lessons with our grands. They can learn from us so they don’t need to make the same mistakes.

One of Jim and my pastors tells a story of his uncle taking him to a toy store and telling him that he could have anything that he wanted. He could have had an electric train or gigantic erector set. Instead he chose a small trinket and wondered years later Why did I do that?

Our pastor wanted us to learn from his mistake - to realize that too often when God offers us so much, we settle for so little.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

A Day With Grampy

Friday's Fun

I read a neat article in the September 2008 issue of Family Fun (great magazine!) by Shelley Abreu. Her father died when her oldest child was about three. Shelley grieved that her kids would never know this grandfather.

The article tells how she created “A Day with Grampy Rick.” She wrote down favorite memories on cardstock (such as blank index cards) and pasted descriptive pictures on the cards. For example, she says: “I scrawled ‘Tickle Torture’ and pasted on a picture of my dad tickling me. He was famous for his tickle attacks …”

When she completed a stack of “memory” cards, she put them inside one of her father’s old suitcases and tied a card on the outside handle that said, “A Day with Grampy Rick.” Yes, she attached a favorite picture of her dad.

Shelly explains in her article that whenever she opens the suitcase with her children for a “Day with Grampy Rick,” she shows them the pictures and reads the accompanying memories—and then they do some of the activities. Example: After she reads “Tickle Torture” and the memories, she tickles the kids.

Isn’t this a great idea! You could expand this to “A Day with Great-Grandma and Great-Granddad,” “A Day with the Jones Family,” or “A Day on the Family Farm, etc.”

Have fun!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Bookmarks

Friday’s Fun

(Before I forget ... as I mentioned in the July 1 blog, if you leave a comment during the month of July or August, I will enter your name in a drawing for a copy of the book While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms [Grandmoms] to Pray. I’ll draw a name on September 1 and will announce the winner’s name in the September 2 blog.)

Now is a great time to make some special bookmarks for your grands who are in school. If they live nearby, have fun making them together.

If you’re a long-distance grandparent, you could make the bookmarks yourself and mail them … or you could send materials to your grandkids so they can personalize their own bookmarks.

To Make Bookmarks

• Cut cardstock paper into bookmark size (approximately 1 ½” by 5”)
• Decorate the paper with sketches, pictures, Bible verses, stickers, etc.
• Either cover the bookmarks with clear contact paper or have them laminated at a teacher supply store
  

Have fun!

Also, if you have any of your old schoolbooks, this is a great time of year to let your grandchild thumb through them. Compare and contrast today’s books with those of yesterday.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

The Beginning of School

Tuesday’s Thought

Yesterday one of our grands started kindergarten—the years sure fly by, don’t they! Pops and I talked with her on the phone last night and she was so excited. She told us about some of her new friends. She also said that everyone in her class earned a marble for their class jar. “When the jar is full we get a party!”

A friend told me that her little grand was excited about wearing a “unicorn” to school on her first day. (Of course, “unicorn” is really uniform.)

Other friends told Pops and me that they helped their granddaughter get ready for kindergarten by taking her to the school a few days before her class began. They let her have fun on the playground and then walked around the school with their grandchild praying for her teacher and school year. Great idea!

Another great idea someone once shared with me is to ask for a copy of your grandchild’s school calendar. You may want to mark down important dates such as Grandparents Day, Christmas holidays, graduation, etc. Also, many schools are online. You may want to find out the URL for your grands’ schools so you can keep up with ongoing activities.

He is able,
Mary
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/
http://www.marymaywrites.com/

You've Got Mail!

Friday's Fun

If you’re like me, you're curious when a pop-up appears on your computer announcing “You’ve got mail.” Like its paper counterpart, a piece of unopened electronic mail holds all kinds of possibilities—a note from a loved one, an invitation to something fun, or needless information.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother saved her junk mail for moi … and it was wonderful. Instead of tossing it away, she put it in a stack on a small desk. I remember my childlike excitement when I’d carefully open each piece of mail with my special letter opener.

I haven’t thought about my Nana’s “mailbag” in a long time. Her idea has a lot of potential. You could put handwritten notes in your grand’s stack of mail or insert colorful postcards from visits around the country. You could have older grands read some of the mail to you and discuss what it says. You could discuss various charity appeals and help your grand choose one cause that he/she would like to give to. Then you could match whatever your grand raises for that particular cause. The possibilities are endless.

The next time one of our grands comes over to visit Pops and me, I plan to say: “You’ve got mail!”

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

School Days

Tuesday's Thought

Jim and I spent last week in Branson, Missouri, and had a wonderful time! It’s so good to get away for a little R & R.

While we were in Branson, I read an article by Pat Lamb in the Tri-Lakes Tribune called “It’s time to get ready for school.” (I hope to have this article posted on www.marymaywrites later this week.) Pat says that there are four areas that we should always consider in helping children get ready for school: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. She says that too often we only think of one or two of these areas.

She also says that it’s important for children to learn about the school experiences of their parents [and grandparents].

One of our grands is starting kindergarten this month. After reading Pat’s article, I’ve decided to make a long-distance call and not only tell this grand that Pops and I will be praying for her on her big day, but also share with her about my first days of kindergarten. I’m also going to ask her mom and dad to e-mail Pops and me a picture of her beginning this new phase of life.

Do you have any tips about encouraging a grandchild at the beginning of the school year?

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

The Good Book

Tuesday’s Thought

I mentioned last week that I recently went to a genealogy seminar. The speaker shared that his grandmother would sit on her front porch every day and read the Scriptures. I imagine her rocking back and forth with an open Bible resting on her lap.

As a six-year-old, the young boy was intrigued with his grandmother’s dedication to what she called the “Good Book.” Day after day and month after month she’d read the worn pages.

“Grandmother,” he asked one day, “When are you going to finish that book?”

“Never.”

“Never?” he answered in disbelief.

“Never until the day I die.”

As the boy's grandmother went to Scripture every day, she gave a wordless sermon to her grandson about what’s important in life.

What a memory! What a model! What a message!

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

Family Reunions

Tuesday's Thought

Hope that your week is beginning well.

I went to a genealogy seminar on Saturday and sat next to a man who told me about his family’s annual reunion. The adult family members take turns planning an annual potluck. Some relatives will travel hundreds of miles to attend it while others may live only a few blocks from wherever the reunion is held.

A friend of mine shared that her family has a big reunion every two years—again taking turns planning it. Their reunions last several days. One year each family was sent a quilt square to decorate (by sewing messages, printing a picture, writing in fabric markers, etc.). All of the squares were assembled into a beautiful family quilt that is proudly displayed at each reunion.

This past spring our family had a one-day reunion and it was so much fun that we plan to repeat it every two years in different parts of the country. Our first official reunion was simple—we met in a hotel, ate lunch and spent the afternoon (and the night and next day) visiting with one another. It was great to watch Mom with her great-grandchildren … and to capture this through pictures.

Have you ever had a family reunion? Do you have any tips for newcomers to this wonderful tradition like me?

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Family Traditions

Friday's Fun

“Recipes, collections, activities—almost anything can become family tradition,” say the Littauers in their book The Blue Plate Special. They say to “start with something that appeals to the majority. Maybe that’s sharing cinnamon rolls together (homemade or store bought, it doesn’t matter) the first Saturday morning of every month.”

I remember my family eating lunch with my grandparents every Sunday after church. We ate in a cafeteria and played a little game called “who can eat for the least amount of money.”

One of Pops' and my traditions when our kids were growing up was regularly marking their heights on a door. We’re continuing this tradition with the grands. They love to see how much they’ve grown! We draw a line for their height, include a date and first name, and sometimes even take pictures when we measure how tall they are.

Would you share a tradition that you have with your grandkids ... or a tradition that your grandparents had with you?

He is able,
Mary

http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

Unconditional Love

Tuesday's Thought

I love what Jean May e-mailed me about being a grandmother! She said:

Grandparenting gives unending pleasure that would be impossible to cover in a few words. …

It means so much to hear that little or not so little voice on the phone calling to tell me of something special that happened at school that day or asking about something that happened in the "old days."

Grandparenting has taught me patience, understanding, and appreciation for my parents and grandparents. So much has become crystal clear to me now. I know my role in my grandchildren's lives is an important piece of their life's puzzle, and they're an important piece in mine.

Everyone has heard that "grandchildren are the reward for having children!" That doesn't quite say it for me. I think grandchildren are a taste of the unconditional love the Father has for us all.

Jean’s wise words remind me of 1 John4:13, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Cucumber Races

Friday's Fun

Pops and I recently had a weekend getaway with the entire family. We stayed in … well, I don’t really know how to describe it … a big cabin. It was great to pull away from the hectic pace of life and be with our sons, their wives, and our five grands. And it was great to be together in God’s wonderful creation.

While we were visiting, I glanced through a magazine called FamilyFun. It’s packed with creative ideas. One I plan to try with the grands is a cucumber race.

After choosing cucumbers that float (try them out in a tub of water), help the grandkids hollow them out. Then ask each child to make a different colored flag for his/her masterpiece. Stick the flags in the cucumbers with toothpicks. Once the boats are made, let the races begin.

I’d love to post some pictures of cucumber races. Please e-mail yours to mary@marymaywrites.com.

Thanks!

Oh, FamilyFun magazine has a website: http://www.familyfun.com/ .

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Magic and the Bible and More

Tuesday's Thought

We spent this past weekend with our children and grandchildren at a wonderful weekend getaway. We made some great memories that included fishing (for some of us), eating a great catfish dinner (for all of us), and listening to some genuine Ozark music.

It was such a relaxing weekend smack dab in the midst of a very complicated world. I was reminded of this when we started talking about how to teach kids about witches in a society where the occult is all too real. That conversation made me aware that I need to regularly pray that God will not only protect our grandkids from evil, but also that they will be able to discern good from evil and choose good.

It also made me look into what is available to help a mom, dad, grandmom, or granddad know how to talk with their kids/grandkids about the occult.

Surfing the Internet I discovered some good information from Andre Kole, a Christian illusionist, "Magic and the Bible" -- http://jestkidding.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/magic-and-the-bible.pdf

I also read about a book called Spellbound -- http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/AboutCANA_SpellBound.html. Until tonight, I had never heard about this book, but I think I’ll read it. Author Marcia Montenegro was asked by Cook Publishing to write this book as a guide for parents and other interested adults. It covers what the occult is, how it's being packaged and marketed in our culture, and how to talk to children and teens about the occult.

God gives us some clear direction about the occult in Galatians 5:19-21. It says, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Please share in the comments any ideas that you have on this important topic. Thanks!

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Homemade Play Dough

Friday's Fun

One of the things our grandkids love to do is make “homemade play dough.” (Okay, I confess, I love playing with this stuff, too.)

Here’s the recipe* that we use:

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

1 cup water

1 tablespoon cooking oil

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil, water, and food coloring. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly. Cook until dough becomes one large ball. Empty onto waxed paper, Knead until smooth and cool. Immediately store in an airtight container.

Clear plastic jars make perfect “homemade play dough” containers. The dough stays soft and pliable, and you can tell the color at a quick glance.

Hope that you and your grandkids have many fun hours playing with this stuff! If they live out-of-town, you might want to send them the recipe (or send their moms the recipe) and ask for a picture of them having “homemade play dough” fun.

He is able,

Mary

http://www.marymaywrites.com/

http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

*This recipe can also be found on page 63 of Help for Busy Moms: Purposeful Living to Simplify Life.

Happy Independence Day!

Friday’s Fun

Hope that you and your family enjoy the Fourth of July—the day we remember the approval of the Declaration of Independence (on July 4, 1776) by the Continental Congress.

If you have older grands, it might be fun to see how much they know about this national holiday. Depending on where they live, ask them questions in person, on the phone, or by e-mail.

A quick place to find some Independence Day trivia is the U.S. Census Bureau’s website.

You’ll find facts there such as:

• The current population of our country today (July 4, 2008) is 304 million people.
• The estimated number of people living in our nation on July 4, 1776, was 2.5 million people.

If you have young grandkids, you may want to have a parade on either Independence Day or later in July. Explain to the grands that an important document was signed more than 200 years ago on July 4, and that it declared our country to be a free nation.

Then give each child a small U.S. flag to wave and a “drum” to beat (empty oatmeal container). Join them in walking around or through the house—thanking God for the freedom that we have in our country.

He is able,
Mary

http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

Making Moments Count

Tuesday’s Thought

One of my favorite books is Let’s Make a Memory by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson. I love what Gloria says, "Special moments don’t just happen; they have to be planned on purpose! In this hectic world when the pace at which we all live is so frantic, we as families must make a covenant with each other to make time for simple things. … We have no guarantees of tomorrows, but we do have this moment."

As a grandmother, I’m so aware that there are no guarantees of tomorrow, and I know how quickly the grands will grow up. I hope that you and I will both heed Gloria’s advice and take time for the simple things with our grands—walking in the rain, picking flowers, looking into the clouds together—marveling at the great God who created everything.

Speaking of making moments count, thanks to everyone who took some moments to leave blog comments. They’ve been fun to read and I’ve gotten some great ideas—hope you have, too.

Elaine shared how she wrote a prayer for each grandchild and sent the prayers to the adult children to pray for each particular child. She also said that on one of her granddaughter’s birthdays, she and husband made a list of "10 Reasons we appreciate Kelli." Elaine added, "She was thrilled. We put it on poster board and then laminated it."

Did you read Angie’s comment when she said, "The Bible says that children are a gift from God. I agree, but I think grandchildren are the ribbons and bows on the gift!" I just love that word picture!

Couldn’t you almost hear Laurie laugh when she wrote that her grands call her "Grandma Doggie." Yep, you guessed it—she's the grandmother with three dogs.

And Jean surely had a smile on her face when she shared in an e-mail that every time her grandkids come over they cook something. "They marveled over things made from 'scratch.' They never knew all things didn’t originate from a box or can," she says. "I hope they will remember the fun times as long as I will."

She later wrote that her daughter told her that she baked from scratch for the girls often. "Kids have short memories," Jean said, "and they [the grands] said, 'Oh, yeah, we forgot.' " :)

Before I forget ... if you leave a comment during the month of July or August, I will enter your name in a drawing for a copy of the book While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms [Grandmoms] to Pray. I’ll draw a name on September 1 and will announce the winner’s name in the September 2 blog.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/

Paper Dolls and Flannel Board Fun

Friday's Fun

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was play with paper dolls at my grandmother’s house. She would roll out big sheets of brown paper and encourage me to design a special house for the dolls.

My Nana would give me a Sears Catalog and a pair of scissors. I would cut out furniture and decorations for the paper house, and would glue the items in place on the brown paper. I remember this as being so much fun!

Today, you can buy paper dolls at specialty toy stores or print off online patterns. If you google “paper dolls” you’ll be amazed at all of the available links such as this one: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/paperdolls/tp/paperdolls.htm

Even though they don’t print the huge Sears Catalog anymore, the Sunday papers are filled with furniture store inserts that could be transformed into a child’s imaginary house on large sheets of white or brown paper or cardboard.

You may want to make or purchase a felt kit for your grand. You can find some wonderful ones at http://www.thefeltsource.com/ (dollhouse flannel board scenes, flannel board dolls, and kits such as “Trucks, and Trains, and Planes”).

If you have older grandchildren, help them show younger brothers and sisters (or younger neighbors, cousins, etc.) how to make a paper doll house or play with a felt kit.

Did you ever play with paper dolls or make them for your grandkids? Have you played with a grad using a flannel board kit?

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/

Praying Grandparents

Tuesday's Thought

When I look at the world today, I realize how important it is to regularly pray for our grandkids. Only God knows the challenges they will face in tomorrow’s world.

I’ve begun a prayer notebook to help me be intentional about praying for each of our grands on a regular basis. Since we have five grandkids, I pray specifically for each child one day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) and record specific prayer requests and Bible verses in a three-ring spiral notebook. It has five sections (one section for each of the grands).

There are many wonderful books on prayer. Two that I enjoy using are While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms to Pray and A Grandmother’s Guide to Praying for Her Family.

While They Were Sleeping gives specific verses to pray for the following character traits: kindness, humility, teachability, forgiveness, obedience, discernment, purity, responsibility, courage, servanthood, contentment, endurance.

A Grandmother's Guide to Praying for her Family has 260 very short devotions--each beginning with a Bible verse and ending with a prayer.

God honors prayers—I’ve seen this in my own life and imagine that you have too. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing.

What a privilege it is to pray for our grands. It’s a gift that money can’t buy. One that will affect not only their lives today, but also their future.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/

BOZ, the "green bear next door"

Friday's Fun

Have you ever heard of BOZ? Well, he’s the “green bear next door.” If you visit http://www.bozthebearnextdoor.com/ you’ll understand what I mean.

The BOZ website has game ideas, tips from FamilyLife and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), coloring pages, and much more.

Sometimes I’ve printed off the coloring sheets and mailed them to out-of-town grands and enclosed a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The envelope was for the grandkids to return colored pictures to display on Pops’ and my refrigerator.

Our grandchildren love the BOZ DVDs. Their favorite is “Thank You God For … Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies.” When the grands spend the night I often hear one say “I want to be ‘squeaky clean.’” Yep—that’s right out of this DVD.

Do you have any website/s that you could recommend for grandparents? Please share in a comment or e-mail me at mary@marymaywrites.com and I'll pass your suggestion on.

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/

Tell the Grandkids What God Has Done

Tuesday's Thought

As a friend and I recently ate lunch together, we talked about passing down family stories. She referred to a passage in Psalms 78 that tells about the importance of sharing spiritual stories.

Psalm 78:4 (NIV) says: “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

The Bible paraphrase The Message says it this way (verses 1-4): “ … I'll let you in on the sweet old truths, stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother's knee. We're not keeping this to ourselves, we're passing it along to the next generation—God's fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done.”

It is up to us to pass on family stories—especially ones about God intervening in our lives and homes. We can share these stories with the grands while washing dishes together, taking a relaxing walk, or going on a drive. We can record our stories and burn them on CDs, or write them down in notebooks. … We can even do something really simple—jot them down in our Bibles.

For years I've jotted down things I want to remember in my Bible—births, weddings, deaths. Memories such as,“God protected Chris from a terrible wreck when he did a 360 degree turn on a wet freeway and ended up in a ditch,” “God protected Jim when a car burst into flames 3-4 feet from a propane tank by his office,” “God protected John and Bre when they had a gas leak in their house,” and on, and on, and on.

As I’ve once again read the countless ways God has protected and led our family, I’m reminded that He can be trusted for the future.

I have to agree with the Psalmist, “He has done marvelous things!” Things that I want to remember. Things I want my grandchildren to remember.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com

Birthday Letters

Friday Fun

Last week we celebrated the first birthday of one of our grandkids. In the past year he’s grown from a helpless infant to a toddler who walks everywhere. (Yes, he started walking when he was 10 months old!)

About a year or so ago Pops and I started a new tradition with the grands—writing each of them a birthday letter. I read this idea somewhere—I think in the Littauers’ book Making the Blueplate Special. I thought it was a great, very doable idea.

It’s been fun for Pops and me to share in our letters memories of the actual “birth day.” We’ve also included memories during the year and a Bible verse that reminds us of the particular child or a Bible verse that we’ll be praying for that child.

Although some may want to handwrite birthday letters, I type ours on the computer. I include special pictures in the body of the letter, and print the letter in color.

Pops and I not only give each grandchild his/her birthday letter, but also keep a copy into a notebook that we’ll give the grandchild when he/she is 18 or 21. (How I wish I could open up a notebook and read 18 or 21 letters from my grandparents.)

What do you do to make special memories on your grandchildren’s birthdays? How did your grandparents remember your birthday? Please share in a comment.

If you'd like me to put your idea in a comment for you, just send it in an e-mail to mary@marymaywrites.com. (Please let me know how you want your comment signed--first name, no name, nickname, etc.)

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/

Perceptions of a Generation

Tuesday's Thought (June 10, 2008)

When I was telling a Bible story this past Sunday to a group of 3-5 year-old children, I was reminded of how perceptions change with every generation.

Before telling about Ruth gathering grain to make bread (Ruth 2:1-23), I asked the kids if the people living in that time could buy bread from a grocery store. “Yes,” they said and nodded their heads in agreement.

Ummm, I thought, we’ve got to cover a few basics before beginning this story.

The group of 3-5 year olds couldn't imagine a time without grocery stores. And guess what? As a child, I couldn’t envision a world without cars and trucks. And today’s kids won’t be able to imagine life without computers and cell phones.

As grandparents, I think it’s important for us to help the next generation understand how the world has changed over the years … and is still changing. And that means helping our grands understand what the world was like for our grandparents, parents, and us—telling stories about our lives.

When my grandkids come over this week, I think I’ll hold up a loaf of bread and ask them if grocery stores have always existed.

You know, it might be fun to do something I haven’t done in years and years—get out my great-grandmother’s recipe for homemade bread and bake a few loaves.

Making Memories in the Kitchen

Friday’s Fun (June 6, 2008)

What do you remember about your grandmother? The touch of her hand, the sound of her voice ... the smell of homemade cookies?

I remember how my Nana made miniature cakes for the grandkids when she made regular cakes. My brother, sisters, and I felt so special!

You know, it’s easy to help a child feel special.

Last weekend, two of Jim and my grands spent the weekend. The oldest asked for pancakes for breakfast … and not just any pancakes. She wanted heart-shaped pancakes.

Ummmm …. I thought. How can we do that? I don’t have a heart-shaped pancake mold. And then it came to me. Just cook the pancakes and then cut them out with heart-shaped cookie cutters. Easy! Worked great and she felt special! We also made star-shaped pancakes and served the pancakes on the pink plate, our "special plate."

By the way, our 3-year-old granddaughter and I made two batches of the Oatmeal Trail Mix that I mentioned last week (both with and without nuts). They were so good! In case you didn’t click on the link to this National Wildlife Federation recipe, I'll copy the recipe below. It's a keeper!

Oatmeal Trail Mix

from http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/recipes.cfm#mix

Ingredients:

1-1/4 Cups of Oats (or combination of Oats, Bran, and Wheat Germ)
3/4 Cup of powdered milk
1 T Plain gelatin
1 Cup of dates, apricots, or other dried fruit, chopped
1/2 Cup of raisins
3/4 Cup of chopped nuts and sunflower seeds
6 T Honey
1/4 t Grated orange or lemon peel
4 T Water

Preparation: Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix honey, water and citrus peel. Combine second mixture with the first. Knead with hands until thoroughly mixed. Press into a baking pan to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Bake at 150 degrees for about 6 hours. Don't let it brown! It burns easily. Cut into bars 1" x 2" or larger, wrap in wax paper. Store in a cool place until needed. May be eaten in bar form or crumbled in water or milk as a breakfast cereal.

What special ways have you made memories in the kitchen with your grandkids?

He is able,
Mary

Grandkids are uniquely packaged: What to do about sibling rivalry

Tuesday's Thought

One of my friends, Laurie, said in a blog comment that each of her six grandkids is a completely unique person. If you have more than one grandchild, I'm sure that you can agree.

I was reminded of this when our three-year-old granddaughter recently drew a picture of her family. Although she seems to be very fond of her little brother, and she’s pretty good about sharing toys with him, her family picture had just her parents and her—no baby brother.

Our five-year-old granddaughter, on the other hand, loves being a big sister. She’s always talking about how she helps her mom with the baby. She loves to read to little sister, swing her, and sing her sweet songs.

Her three-year-old cousin explained to me that the reason baby brother wasn't in her crayon-colored picture was because she just wanted to be in the picture with her mom and dad.

Ummmm. Reminds me of my older sister when I was born. She said that she was the “Princess” until I arrived on the scene and spoiled her royal court.

But again, doesn't every child need some one-on-one time? Maybe our three-year-old granddaughter just needs a little special time with Mom and Dad — and Nana and Pops.

Now, Jim and I had all of this sibling rivalry stuff figured out when our second son was born. Someone had told us to send a present home to our oldest child (from the new baby) when his brother arrived.

So, we followed this advice and gave our oldest a brand new basketball. Big brother was excited! And weren’t we smart!

Until little brother left the hospital, that is.

I’ll always remember the day when little brother came home from the hospital. We put the little fellow on a baby blanket in the family room and his big brother walked in with his basketball—he was ready to play. ... And baby brother couldn’t even roll over yet.

Big brother looked at us with his beautiful blue eyes and asked, “What kind of baby is this any way?”

Guess he was ready for an afternoon of pick-up basketball.

What funny stories do you have about the differences in your grandkids? How have you encouraged a gradchild to welcome a new baby into his/her home? How have you helped an older grandchild feel special?

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com