A Four-Legged Family Member

Mmmmmmm......

I love the smell of freshly baked cookies.

Too bad they are not being baked for the 

two legged members of the family.

My daughter bakes for her four-legged 

little girl on a regular basis.

Kabella (my three year old grand-doggie)

 loves her home baked doggie treats.

So much so that the recipe has 

become a part of my fridge door!

Yay, Yay, Yay, it's Today!

My husband and I gave the gift of a three day snowy cabin retreat to our entire family as a Christmas gift. The trip had been pre-scheduled with our adult children to take place three VERY LONG (for our grandchildren) weeks after Christmas.

This gift created a whole lotta' excited anticipation among the cousins. We all worked together during the weeks between Christmas and the actual trip to pull together snow bibs, gloves, boots, jackets, scarves, and snow boots for our entire clan from our outgrown cold weather clothing bins. My oldest grandson was able to wear a snow bib that my own son had worn 20 years ago! Does that make it a vintage snow bib?

My five year old grandson just about drove his parents crazy with the "How many more days?" On the day before the trip he woke up saying "Yay, Yay, only one more day!" The morning of the trip he had crawled into bed with his mommy and daddy sometime during the night. My daughter said when he first opened his eyes upon waking he said; "Yay, Yay, Yay, it's today!"

My husband and I worried as the days ticked closer to the long anticipated trip. Why? Because it had been a very warm and dry three weeks since Christmas in Arizona. The town of Greer (where we were headed) has a webcam that my husband and I had been watching and we knew that the snow cover was melting away each day.

As the trip neared my worries turned to prayers pleading for some pretty detailed blessings. My heartfelt prayers for snow and for my grandchildren to realize their long awaited anticipation of snow play were answered.

The night before our trip the forecast changed from expected rain that would have washed away all of the snow to a 90% chance of snow for the area we were headed to. My husband and I were giving each other high fives and I offered prayers of gratitude for this much appreciated blessing.

We all met the morning of the trip to caravan up together. To help make the trip all that Papa and I had envisioned for our family here are a few of the things we did:

We had given each family a snowman kit for Christmas.

I had created a laminated Greer or Bust sign

for each of the cars. (Creating family unity) 

Each car had a two way radio so that we could communicate,

 play games, and just be silly between our four cars.

(Creating family fun)

I did a roll call using the radios so that everyone

from two to seventy-seven had a chance

to talk in the radios.

(A sense of belonging)

We had a predetermined place that we

we invited all to stop at for lunch. It was completely

optional but we had 100% attendance!

(Family support)

After lunch, we were on the last leg of our drive.

We were not on the road long when we

realized that the lack of snow was not going to be a problem.

The scenery was an absolute treat for us desert dwellers!

The freshly fallen snow had blanketed the pines and the aspen trees.

Beautiful!

(Shared gratitude)

We all got to experience some light snowfall on our drive too.

Our two cabins were ready for our earlier than expected arrival.

Two cabins, warm fireplaces, beds for 28, 6 bathrooms, and big lofts for play

were all just perfect for our stay.

(Togetherness)

Everyone immediately changed into their snow gear and headed outdoors.

(A family that plays together stays together!)

I had prepared projects for any down time for the kids.

A snowflake door hanger project.

(Quality time with grandma)

A snowman scene using a gift tag snowman, stickers,

crayons, and a Chinet plate.

(Shared creativity)

I didn't get a picture of the edible snowmen we made but they were very close to this

one (thank you Pinterest) except we put ours on a stick and we made a beanie cap

using a fruit roll-up and a half of a marshmallow.

(Creating memories among the cousins)

Snowman donuts and hot chocolate were a big

hit following our day in the snow.

(They are way cuter with mouths too but my

hungry and chilled crowd showed up ready for a donut and a 

cup of warm hot chocolate before I got the mouths on!)

How to link here.

Stay tuned for more of our fun in the snow!

Organizing a Grandkid's Only Party

So, what needs to be done when you are expecting 10 guests between the ages of not quite two and eleven for an evening, night, and morning of food, activities, crafts, caroling, winding down, and hopefully some sleep?

In two words. Organization and help!

While I prep everything for our annual Christmas Day Camp it takes all available hands to help things go smoothly and safely during our time together. This year I had my hubby, my live-in-mother-in-law who is great-grandma to the little guests, and my youngest daughter who usually disappears but lucky for me she happened to owe me a favor this year to help me!

I gathered all of the supplies needed for everything we were going to do and I had them within my reach. How did I know what all I was going to need? I create a print out for each and every activity. The print out lists the materials, tools, and resources needed. The items that are unique to each project are placed in their own labeled bag with a sample of the finished project. Tools or resources that are needed to be used throughout the camp such as scissors, paint brushes, glue sticks were organized in caddies. I ended up having everything I needed within my reach except for a pair of wire cutters that my hubby graciously ran out to the garage to get.

Once the kids arrive I want to be in the moment with them. I post a schedule nearby so that I don't have to worry about what I need to be doing next. This schedule shows the shared tools and resources that are needed for each specific craft or activity.

Having this list prepared allows the other adults present

or the older kids to help me gather what we need next.

The schedule is full but we don't worry about getting it all done.

We allow the kids to have the time they need to finish their projects

or to enjoy a scheduled activity until they have had their fill.

One such activity was our Christmas Lights and Caroling Activity. As in years past, we bundled up, loaded up in the back of Papa's truck and drove around our rural neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. Normally, we have just sang Christmas carols with one another as we drove around. This year the kids wanted to ring the doorbells of our neighbors and actually sing carols for them. The kids had an absolute blast and better yet for Papa and I .... all of that running around and jumping in and out of the truck helped to wear them out for bedtime.

Wall to wall sleeping cousins is a precious site!

To back up a bit, one thing I always do when the cousins first arrive from three different homes is to have a gathering snack and activity ready for them. This gets everyone on the same eating schedule.

One labeled cup per camper for drinks and meals.

We wash them between meals of course!

Help yourself snacks for the first hour.

The gathering activity.

Always a tote the kids can fill with their finished projects.

The tote more times than not is made from 

plastic ice cream buckets that my parents save for me.

The gathering craft is always an easy one. This one, the kids were given four blank index cards, markers, and piles of Christmas stickers. One index card required their name to be printed on it. The other three they could deck out with a Christmas scene anyway they liked. The four cards were then taped to the ice cream bucket to cover up the writing around the bucket. 

All of the finished totes are then lined up nearby. As the projects are completed the kids put them in their totes. I am so sad that I didn't get a picture of the loaded totes. They all looked so cute with the santa on the sticks popping out of the top when it was time to go home.

My eleven year old granddaughter was over the other night talking through all we did at our Grandkid's Christmas party. She then followed up by asking me. "What's next?" Meaning what and when will be our next grandkids only party? I said that will be my Grandma Camp in May where we all sleep outside in the tent. Granddaughter: Not until May!!!??? That was a big ol' hug to my heart!

Today, I finished packing away my six tubs of labeled Grandkid's Christmas Day Camp in my garage. I couldn't help but to start thinking about next years Christmas Day Camp. So many many ideas already!!!!

Imagine Our Surprise

Last Saturday we had a houseful. My 21 year old daughter had just moved back home and it was the 6th day of having our three little grandsons with us. My husband was the first to hear it. He jumps up from his desk and starts saying stop him, stop him! I didn't know what was going on but I saw my husband running to the other end of the house. The little boys ran out of the house barefoot to stop him. I'm still thinking stop who?

As I was warning the boys of the hot cement on their bare feet I saw what was causing all of the excitement. My husband returned with his wallet in hand. My 21 year old daughter ran out "as is" and joined in. It was a big surprise for all of us because we had not seen anything like it in the five years that we have lived here. Me, I had to grab the camera of course!

It was the Ice Cream Man!

While my grandsons were trying to make their selections their little feet were doing the hot blacktop dance. I think these folks had bought a used ice cream truck with all kinds of ice cream pictures as their selections plastered on the side of the truck but  they started their business with only a few choices. Every time the kids would choose something they didn't have it. My daughter finally said; "Just tell us what you have!"

We needed ice cream like we need another hole in our head. I had just been to the store and the freezer was stocked with a variety of ice cream bars. But, how could we possibly pass up the opportunity to pay quadruple the price from a rusty and low stocked street vendor? On top of that we didn't get our first choice or even our fifth choice. We settled by golly because things like this just don't happen every day!

Is it the ice cream truck music that draws us in? Maybe it's the feelings we have from being a child ourselves that makes us chase down the ice cream truck for our grandchildren. Who knows? What I do know is that once Papa made the command to "stop him!" there was no turning back!

And, despite the glitches it was

oh so worth the sweet memory!

What's your favorite ice cream bar?

4th of July Goodie Bags

Every year I give my grands some little thing to help celebrate the 4th of July. This is the first year in a long time that we are not all going to be together to watch the fire works show. So, the goodie bags have gone out a little early this year.

The goodies this year were homemade 

Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats.

I added red, white, and blue marshmallow

stars for the occasion. I melted down a couple of

marshmallows with a small dab of butter in the

microwave. I used the sticky goo to glue

the colorful stars in place.

Here are all of my supplies.

I added a sticker to my clearance priced blue

bags to make them festive!

Each bag contained a 4th of July writing pad and pencil.

A tattoo for the patriotic holiday, 

the homemade goodie,

stickers and Red Vines.

Each bag had a personalized tag tucked inside.

I topped the bags off with some sparkly red fluff!

The moms and dads got a treat to share.

Their message read to have a safe and happy

4th of July!

While I will be spending the weekend

 with three generations of my family I will certainly

be missing and thinking of my

three grown kids and my ten little pearls

who will watching the fireworks show

under the same big sky but miles and miles away this

Fourth of July!

I wish you all a safe and 

Happy 4th of July!

Campfire Cupcake

Campfire Cupcakes

Toooooooooooo Cute!

Check out the very easy how-to instructions here.

 I am filing this very creative idea away for next years Grandma Camp.

Kids would love making these anytime. How about 

taking some baked cupcakes and all of the decorating 

fixin's on your next family camping trip?

Making these WITH the ones you love

will surely warm hearts!

A Day With the Boys

Summer has hit in Arizona and finding ways to keep the kids busy during the hottest part of the day is in full swing. Yesterday I volunteered to have two of my grandsons for the day while their mom took their big brother to his week long Invention Day Camp. The camp is an hour drive each way with a 6 1/2 hour wait in town until it is time to pick him up. The 8 1/2 hour days away from home with her two young boys are difficult for my daughter. It is truly a week long financial and time consuming sacrifice for their family. The camp is perfect for this grandson who hungers for learning beyond his years and who has been blessed with a very inventive mind.

So, yesterday it was my responsibility to fill the 8 1/2 hour hot summer day with grandchildren #4 and #7 who are very active five and almost 8 year old boys.

Here's how it went down.

We spent an hour or so outdoors before it got too terribly warm playing tetherball and watering the plants in the courtyard.

We went indoors and cubed up an ice cold cantaloupe for a mid morning snack. At grandma's house we  use colorful toothpicks instead of a fork to eat cubed cantaloupe. A tradition the boys will not let me forget.

Craft time: We went to my box of invention craft supplies and found two empty 32 oz. orange juice cartons.  I suggested that we could make bird feeders. "Do you have bird seed?" they asked. Yep!

My dining room table turned into a bird feeder craft center. Construction papers, glue sticks, scissors, paper cutter, rope, juice cartons, heavy wooden skewers, and a sharp knife (for grandma to use).

After crafting I decided to take the boys to our local ChickFilet for lunch. It was no ordinary ride to the restaurant. I was having some silly fun with the boys that made them laugh and laugh. I was morphing between myself and what they called a "crazy lady".  The crazy lady talked very loud, made silly comments, and spoke with an unknown accent. I of course had no idea what they were talking about when they told me about the crazy lady. All I know is that the crazy lady with the really bad accent made the 12 minute ride to the restaurant one of memory making silly fun between I and my grandsons. 

Lunch and the indoor play land burned lots of energy and nearly three hours of our day. The boys could not get over that they could stay and play for as long as they wanted.  Being a grandma is so much fun!

When they had their fill of play I asked if they would like to go for ice cream?  Once we got the drive thru cold stuff for the boys I headed for a nearby Michael's store.  We sat and talked in the car while they were finishing their treats. I knew the boys would have just as much fun checking out Michael's as I would. 

In the baskets out front we found a fun indoor game that was marked down to well to pass up. It was a door size embroidered toss game. You hang the colorful and well made game from the top of the door frame and stand back and toss balls through the holes for scoring. Originally $10 bucks for just $2.99!

As we were walking through the store checking out all of the fun crafting stuff the boys had no idea what was going on in my mind as I was tossing some great finds at great prices in my basket. (ssshhhh, it was fun crafting supplies to do with my grandkids for pennies on the dollar  that was on my mind.)

When we checked out of Michael's we only had an hour left before mom would be back. The boys groaned with the news that our fun filled day was almost over. Once home the new toss game was put up and our play began. I had told the boys that we could look at the pictures from our recent trip to  Alaska too .

When we gathered around the computer to check out the photo's of Alaska and our cruise ship I was preempted by a bunny that was spotted just outside my office window.

The boys quietly ran from window to window for a closer look.

Really, could this day have been any better?

The bunny kept their minds busy until daddy's work truck rolled up 

(beating mommy there) and scared the bunny away.

When I didn't think the day could get any better it did!

Papa arrived home in time to see the boys too. 

Papa was greeted with BIG excited hugs and the details of the day.

Mom later reported that when she arrived home she was flooded 

with chatter with the boys barely breathing between details.

It is amazing how simple and ordinary things can turn

 magical when they are shared between a

grandma and her very loved grands!

Schools Out for Summer

When you have six school ages grands it really helps to have five of them in the same school when it comes to attending the science fairs, the Halloween parades, the school programs, and the end of the year awards ceremony.

My oldest grand moving on to 6th grade.
How can that be?
One of her awards was for being
"non-violent"
What the heck?

My very bright science olympian moving on to the 5th grade.
His friends checking out his cool certificate.
Awesome #2!

This little cutie received an award for her reading.
On to the 3rd grade!
Way to go # 3

It was perfect attendance for #4.
Broken arm and all!
Second fastest runner in the 2nd grade.
He was also recognized this year for
stopping some bullying on the playground.

Our soon to be 2nd grader received an award that
fit her to a "T".
She was recognized for being
kind, caring, helpful, and compassionate.
That's my sweet girl!

With the changes in schools next year I will still only have grandchildren in two different elementary schools and two preschools. Works for me!

School is barely out for the summer and the grands are already anxious to know what my Back to School Party ideas are for the new school year. They have plenty of their own suggestions and they all include some kind of overnight extravaganza. I don't blame them because last year's back to school party was a blast with our overnight stay at the water park resort with Papa and I.

What is the very best thing about the back to school party? It is a loved tradition between Papa and I and our school age grandchildren. You know that makes me smile and that their excitement about the annual tradition is right up my memory making, cousin family bond building, and tradition creating alley. Still smiling!!!!!

DIY Birthday Cupcakes

This was the birthday boy's DIY birthday cupcake.

But, let's start in the beginning.

He came up with the idea to allow each guest

to decorate their own birthday cupcake.

All you need is cupcakes,

the toppings,

and young culinary imaginations.

The birthday boy started things off.

Then all of the guests from ages

 2-11 jumped in.

Yum

and Yummier?

The three youngest cousins were like the very happy 

ants that come and clean up after a picnic.

The kids loved this DIY cupcake idea!