Saturday movie review: First Man

Saturday movie review: First Man

Stargazers and moon enthusiasts will have their eyes on the skies this weekend, seeking prime views of the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse set to reach its peak—and glow red—the night of January 20/21, 2019. Which is tomorrow night.

The spectacular lunar event makes this prime time for my review of FIRST MAN, the breathtaking biopic of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on that far-off, endlessly intriguing moon.

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Throwback Thursday: 10 life lessons grandchildren help us remember

Throwback Thursday: 10 life lessons grandchildren help us remember

Dear readers: As my three grandsons from the desert will be visiting PawDad and me (and the rest of our Colorado family) this weekend, I thought it only fitting to share again one of my all-time favorite photo-filled posts featuring Brayden, Camden, and Declan. I hope you enjoy this #TBT feature, which originally published here on Grandma’s Briefs February 10, 2015. Thank you for reading my rerun.

With all that we do for our grandchildren, they do for us so very much more. Things such as reminding us of important lessons we've learned yet often forget to put into practice. Things such as these.

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Creativity Month 2019

Creativity Month 2019

Did you know January is officially Creativity Month? Indeed, it is!

If you need inspiration and ideas for creative things to do with grandkids before the month is through, let me point you to the most creative spot I know for simple—and different, educational, and fun—activities. Krokotak, a Bulgarian site, has endless ideas for every season… and many for no specific reason other than finding joy in being creative.

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So much to say

So much to say

When I was growing up, my mom and I didn’t talk much. At least not about big things, important matters mothers and daughters should discuss. No talks about girl things, God things, goals, dreams, birds, bees, boys.

The reason our communication focused only on surface stuff is debatable. My introversion? Mom’s aversion to uncomfortable truths? Her (justified) preoccupation with raising seven kids mostly on her own?

Whatever the reason, I promised myself…

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Saturday streaming briefs: Four to see on TV

Saturday streaming briefs: Four to see on TV

Desperately seeking streaming suggestions? Perhaps I can assuage your desperation.

Here are four shows—three series and one movie—Jim and I recently watched (one we’re still watching) and were riveted. You might be, too.

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Long-distance grandsons: The 2018 highlight reel of our times together

Long-distance grandsons: The 2018 highlight reel of our times together

When grandparents and grandchildren live miles apart—815 miles it is for Brayden, Camden, Declan, and myself—every moment shared is one to be treasured.

Here, the highlight reel of our times together in 2018, including more from the birthday visit to the North Pole with the Colorado clan:

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Saturday movie review: The House With a Clock in its Walls

Saturday movie review: The House With a Clock in its Walls

Jack Black is quickly becoming my favorite star of thrillers. Thrillers of the family friendly sort, that is. I was intrigued by his turn as author R.L. Stine in 2015’s GOOSEBUMPS and endlessly amused by his role as Bethany—yes, a girl!—in the slapstick silly yet oh-so suspenseful JUMANIJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE. Three’s a charm with THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS, wherein Black plays mysterious and mesmerizing Jonathan Barnavelt, who lives in a creaky, creepy mansion that has a tick-tocking heart heard in the dark of night.

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Baby faces

Baby faces

Jim and I babysat Benjamin last week while Brianna and Patrick went to Patrick’s company Christmas party. Being on the cusp of two months old at the time, there’s not a whole lot that Benjamin does, as far as playing with Gramma and PawDad.

He does, though, provide plenty of facial expressions, which I just can’t get enough of.

To wit:

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Grandma Christmas crafts matter

Grandma Christmas crafts matter

The year my husband and I were married, his stepmom, Diane, whom I had never met and Jim hadn’t seen in years, sent us a lovely joint Christmas stocking she had made for us. She also sent an adorable handmade one for baby Brianna, who was born soon after we married.

Diane sent another precious stocking the following year, when Megan was born. And another two years after that for our baby Andie.

When Megan and Preston married and…

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