Refresh the grandkids' #stayhome game night options (review)

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While Covid-19 and all that goes along with it has had unprecedented negative impact on much of 2020 so far — and seems likely to continue doing so — there are a few positive things to come from the mess and distress. One of those is renewed interest in family game night and board games in general.

That said, as stay-home orders and advice will likely (for good reason) continue for some time to come, the stack of games our grandkids turn to for entertainment are in dire need of refreshing. Goliath Games and Pressman Toy come to the rescue with five new options, all sent to me free for review and to share my thoughts with you.

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Review: Gramma in a Box

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Grandma Terry Chamberlin has come up with a pretty sweet subscription service for serving up grandma-style food activities from faraway. When three of Terry's grandchildren moved away from her, she began sending them boxes of cookies and treats to go along with their Skype sessions. She soon realized other grandmas just may want to do the same, and the Gramma in a Box subscription service—tagline Gramma does all the work. You have all the fun!—was born. 

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Greedy Granny from Goliath Games (game review)

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Stereotypes of grandmas abound, and there's none more stereotypical than the star of Greedy Granny, the new offering from Goliath Games. Granny of the game is pin-curl coiffed, dons granny glasses, a lace-collared dress, and knee-high socks with pink slippers. She's wrinkled about the mouth and forehead and wears dentures that fly from her mouth when startled. She naps in a recliner, arthritic hands clutching the arms.

She's the stereotypical grandma caricature of comics and cartoons and commercials created by folks who apparently haven't seen a real grandma in several decades. A kind of grandma I can't imagine any child born in the past 30 years has ever seen, as grandmas are nothing like the stereotype. Or like Greedy Granny.

That said, it's silly to get one's grandma briefs in a bunch over the depiction, as Greedy Granny — stereotype or not — was surely innocently crafted for nothing but fun. And fun the game definitely is.

Click to read the review...

Friday flashback: How to make a pillow chaise for children

My bonus grandson, Bud, turns 9 tomorrow and we'll be celebrating his birthday (along with his dad's, which was Wednesday) on Sunday. Brianna requested I make Bud a pillow chaise like the ones I made Bubby and Mac a few years ago — back before Bud was part of the family — so he's more comfy lounging on the floor on movie nights.

Bud's favorite color is red so I gathered the goods to create a red birthday chaise.

pillow chaise for children 

As I'll be spending a portion of today putting the present together, I figure it's a fine time to feature the post on doing so as today's Friday flashback. (Speaking of time, it's likely time I create a pillow chaise for Jak, too, as he wasn't around either when I made the original ones for his brothers.)

HOW TO MAKE A PILLOW CHAISE FOR CHILDREN
(Originally published January 10, 2013)

Every once in a great while, I surprise myself and do something that exceeds my expectations. Most recently, it was the making of the pillow chaise lounging thingees I gave my grandsons for Christmas. They turned out far better than I expected, and were received with far more appreciation than I thought might be the case, especially considering they weren't toys — which, as I learned here, are far preferable to practical presents.

What? You missed my post about giving Bubby and Mac their pillow chaises? Well take a look at their joy and ability to play slug in front of the television, thanks to a soft and comfy gift from Gramma.

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At the time I posted that, many readers wondered...

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Gift ideas for grandmas to give and get

Time is ticking! If you're still on the lookout for the perfect gift to give — or hope to get — here are some ideas straight from Grandma's Back Room, plus two scheduled to appear there soon. I've reviewed them all (including the two reviews yet to be published), and you can get the details by clicking on the photo of each product.

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Starrytime Blanket Full of...

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