May 10, 2018

Throwback Thursday: Entertaining grandkids... 3 sure things

May 10, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

This #TBT piece originally published May 18, 2016 on Grandma's Briefs. Thank you for reading!

As a long-distance grandma with visits being few and far between, I feel obligated to provide memorable merriment for my three grandsons each time I see them. I put careful consideration into packing my grandma bag with goodies and games and crafty ideas galore.

Sometimes the magical makings I lug 800 miles to my grandsons' door elicit exactly the enjoyment I'd hoped. Sometimes they fail. Especially if picking a Pinterest activity to try together without trying it first myself.

When I visited Bubby, Mac, and Jak last month, I failed at more than a few things. On the other hand, there were…

May 07, 2018

Functional art for Mom's Day

May 07, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Functional art for Mom's Day!

A few weeks ago I shared with you how fantastically artistic Brayden and Camden are, their school art show submissions proof of such.

Now my daughter Megan (mom to Brayden and Camden... as well as little bro Declan) has taken my grandsons' creativity a step further. She turned the boys' art into marvelous Mother's Day gifts for Gramma. Functional gifts.

To wit:

May 03, 2018

Throwback Thursday: Kids and games—18 fun ways to choose who goes first

May 03, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

This #TBT piece originally published May 13, 2014 on Grandma's Briefs and seemed fitting for replay in anticipation of the summer fun to come. Thank you for reading!

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.

April 23, 2018

When you really love ice cream

April 23, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

When you really love ice cream!

At the start of last week's GRAND Social post, I shared with you my oh-so sad grandson Declan who oh-so-badly wanted to go to Disneyland.

Now, that video may misrepresent that particular grandkiddo a smidgen, as sad is oh-so far from Declan's typical disposition.

So today, at the start of this week's GRAND Social, I share with you a shot—four, actually—that better show the more common, more comedic side of my wacky youngest grandson.

April 16, 2018

When you really wanna go to Disneyland! Plus, GRAND Social No. 299 linky for grandparents

April 16, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

When you really wanna go to Disneyland!

My youngest grandson, Declan, enjoyed the family visit to Disneyland in February so, so much.

Now the nearly four-year-old wants to go again.

Like, really wants to go again.

Right now!

April 09, 2018

Several sprouts a sprouting

April 09, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Several sprouts a sprouting!

Not long ago, I shared with you photos of James getting my seedlings started for spring sprouting and eventual transplanting. I promised updates along the way.

As promised, update No. 1: Several seeds have sprouted!