November 18, 2020

Brayden, T1D, and a warning for grandmas

November 18, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

It’s taken me more than a month to figure out how to share this news. It’s serious and breaks my heart, yet I don’t want to come across as despaired. I hope to warn others but wish to not seem alarmist. And I want to share the challenge confronting my oldest grandson and his parents every single day forever going forward without suggesting I have any doubt they’re up to it.

My daughter, Megan, is so up to it, in fact, that she provided me the perfect tool by which I can share the news without racking my brain for the right words, right sentiment. That tool being the video below.

See, my grandson Brayden, the active and healthy 12 year old who first made me a grandma, who …

November 13, 2020

How to be the best babysitting grandparent ever

November 13, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Kids just want to have fun, especially when spending time with a babysitter. Parents primarily want their kids to be safe. And therein lies the challenge for grandparents who have secured the babysitting gig: finding the perfect balance between delighting grandchildren while pleasing their parents.

Master the challenge—and be the best babysitter ever—by considering the following tips.

November 06, 2020

Gifts for grandkids: 7 gift giving no-nos

November 06, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

The Christmas my middle daughter was about 4 years old, she received the most adorable, soft-bodied baby doll. We called it “Laughing Baby,” because when the doll’s tummy was pressed, she’d let loose an infectious giggle that would set my daughter into giggle fits galore. It was precious—the first 320 times. Then it was simply obnoxious and in need of silencing.

October 30, 2020

11+ things grandmas do when no one else wants to or can (2020 edition)

October 30, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Several years ago I wrote a post on things grandmas do when others won’t. Upon publishing that, many experienced grandmas commented with additional tasks to add to the list.

I’ve intended to update that post to include those comments for quite some time and have simply never gotten around to it. But considering the amount of spare time Covid restrictions have afforded most of us, I’ve finally done it.

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 12, 2020

Ideal backdrop

October 12, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Ideal backdrop

Last week I shared with you some of the reasons I love the look of fall right outside my back door.

Over the weekend, I discovered another reason: It’s the ideal autumn backdrop for my goofy daughter Andrea and her equally goofy hubby, Allen, to pose for silly shots during a special birthday celebration (more on that to come).

Their attitude inspires me to approach the new week in a similarly carefree way. I hope sharing the shots does the same for you.

Plus … GRAND Social No. 411 link party for grandparents

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!)