May 21, 2021

Grandma's heroes: Where the boys are

May 21, 2021/ Lisa Carpenter

Kids across the country—and their parents and teachers, too—are celebrating the end of the most challenging school year ever. From pre-K to college age, students have survived a school experience not a single adult alive has ever had to muddle their way through, thanks to Covid.

Sure, parents and teachers had it rough (often beyond rough) making the schooling work somehow, some way. Yet no one over the age of 30 can fully comprehend how it felt and what it meant—and continues to mean—being a kid of any age enduring the wacked out way the 2020-2021 school year went.

February 14, 2021

Four books, two reviews: Must-get reads for grands

February 14, 2021/ Lisa Carpenter

I recently shared reviews of some super story books on Instagram and Facebook that I’d be remiss if I didn’t share on my blog as well. These books are that good (I thought my reviews turned out fairly well, too, the first in large part due to adorable Benjamin).

Take a look:

January 28, 2021

Chameleon cool

January 28, 2021/ Lisa Carpenter

My bonus grandson James, who will be 13 in April, lives pretty much half of the time with his mom and half of the time with his dad, Brianna, Benjamin, and Robert. The specifics of the shared custody changed recently, and the new configuration resulted in it making more sense for James’ pet chameleon, George, to reside full-time at Dad’s house.

January 14, 2021

Pic of the week: Wild connection

January 14, 2021/ Lisa Carpenter

My grandson Benjamin’s favorite place in the world is the zoo. Many of my favorite photos of my favorite two-year-old are those taken in his favorite place.

To wit: This wild connection—and perfect pose by both for the camera—Brianna captured during their visit this week.

December 10, 2020

Pic of the week: Heaven on Earth

December 10, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

My daughter who not long ago faced heartbreaking loss and the possibility she may never have children of her own has …

October 23, 2020

Three for two: Celebrating Benjamin's birthday

October 23, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

My youngest grandson (not counting the one due in November) turned two years old on Saturday. Benjamin celebrated his big day in the most fall-like way with a visit to the Pumpkin Farm.

Being a fall baby comes with the benefit of fabulous weather for marking the occasion, and Benjamin got full advantage of that, with his official birthday outing to the pumpkin farm bookended by a couple other outdoor festivities.

October 09, 2020

Backyard bliss 2020

October 09, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

The spectrum of fall colors in Colorado can range from brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows one hopes remain on tree branches all season to crunchy, crispy, brown disappointments offering satisfaction only once raked, bagged, and gone. It all depends on the when the first hard freeze arrives.

Despite most everything else about 2020 causing dismay and despondency, fall colors in Colorado this year are the best I recall in my forty-plus years in the state. Thanks to no hard freeze yet. (Knock wood!)

September 11, 2020

Summer 2020: What I didn't tell you

September 11, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

July 25, 2020, marked the eleven year anniversary of Grandma’s Briefs. During many summers, I’ve taken a break from blogging from Memorial Day through Labor Day, to allow me time to enjoy summer fun without being obligated to publish anything.

This past summer, I chose not to take a break. I figured that with Covid restrictions and all, I’d have little to do and lots of time to write about the little I might do and see and ponder.

September 03, 2020

Benjamin and the beary cute KeaBabies bath towel (review)

September 03, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Most grandmas likely agree with me: Hugging a grandkid ranks as one of the sweetest sensations out there.

Many grandmas also likely agree with me that hugging a warm little one fresh from the tub and wrapped in a towel tops the list of types of hugs grandmothers can’t get enough of.