Oh so easy: Cloud dough

Oh so easy: Cloud dough

Though it may seem like summer is winding down, there's still plenty of time to mess around outdoors with some cloud dough and some grandkids. And I do mean mess — which is just one reason this activity is so fun... and the primary reason it's best enjoyed outdoors.

cloud dough 

There are directions all...

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Pretty darn good grandpa, plus GRAND Social No. 115 link party

Pretty darn good grandpa

Before kicking off the 115th edition (!!) of the GRAND Social link party for grandparents, I have just one small thing to point out about my husband, my partner in grandparenting.

grandpa and kids playing

Jim and I attended a...

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Grandsons: Perfect three in perfect three

My middle daughter, Megan, has always been a bit of a perfectionist, especially when it comes to the things that matter most to her.

newborn grandson

As a student — from the first day of kindergarten through college graduation — Megan gave 110 percent, perfecting each and every assignment. (Even if that meant...

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Kids & games: 18 fun ways to choose who goes first

When playing games with kids — or directing getting the ball rolling — choosing who gets to go first can sometimes take longer than the actual gameplay.

That no longer need be the case thanks to the following fun methods I've gathered for grandmothers and others.

ways to choose who goes first 

Creative Eeny Meeny
When I was...

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Flicks for kids — plus 'Muppets Most Wanted' printables

I've been sharing movie reviews on Saturdays for quite some time now — and you won't want to miss tomorrow's! — but those I share on Saturdays are pretty much all adult flicks, no kid fare.

We grandparents enjoy kid fare, too, though... right? For the grandkids, of course.

flicks for kids

With that in mind, here are a few...

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Crafts with kids, 1986 and 2014

Throwback Thursday

October 1986
Craft time with my two-year-old daughter, Megan:

child doing crafts

February 2014
Craft time with Megan's two- and five-year-old sons, Mac and Bubby:

boys doing crafts

Today's question:

What do you do with your grandchildren that you fondly recall doing with their parent(s)?

Love is in the air... and in these children's books for Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day in sight, 'tis the season for celebrating love. Just last week I received a box of books that do exactly that, books I plan — for the most part — to share with Bubby and Mac when I see them this weekend.

Dinosaur Kisses

Alas, as time is of the essence for those looking to share sweet tales with sweet kiddos, I'm going to share these books from Candlewick (which I received free for review) with you before my grandsons even get a peek at the pages. Yes, you are that special to me.

Without Bubby and Mac previewing these stories...

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