Grilled Grandma: Cheri

How many children do you have? 3, two grown sons and a grown daughter, all married, all with 2 kids. They are 38, 35, and 33.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? We have 6 grandkids, ages: 3, 7, 8, 8, 9, and 12, three girls and three boys: (youngest to oldest) Lucy, Luke, Josephine, Noah, Caleb, and Caitlin

Any great grandchildren? No, not for a long time!

What do your grandchildren call you? Nandy (Caitlin, the oldest, came up with that name before she was two--she would not hear of grandma, granny, or anything else). The others followed suit. It's on my back license plate on the car, a gift from my husband.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? The four in-town grandkids, about once a week. They are both busy families and have a lot going on--the grandkids' schools during the school year, soccer, music lessons, you know the drill! During the summer it’s a bit easier to work into their schedules.

The two granddaughters, Lucy and Josephine, who live in Milwaukee I get to see every few months or so.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? It's a real gift to have these precious, creative, lively, unique individuals in my life and family.  I love building an individual relationship with my grandchildren, connecting with each one through something they are interested in.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? I think once they reach school age and begin to have a number of activities that kids can get overscheduled with (they're all good--just so many of them!), it's a challenge for them to find time for us grandmas--we almost need an appointment.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. Friday night we had a "Cousin Campout" in our big woodsy backyard, complete with a camp fire grandpa built with the grandkids' help, a big tent we set up, cooking out hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores.
Just when we had their tummies full and thought they were about to go to sleep in the tent, a foul smell emerged. Everyone was sure it was our resident little grey fox (or one of the cousins) emitting an odor. We finally figured out Luke (7) had stepped in dog poop and tracked it around the campsite. Many chuckles over that; it took me over an hour the next day to clean the new shoes!

Second try on their settling down seemed the charm. My husband, son Justin and I went inside and got comfy and had just started watching a movie when the four grandkids ran in the house, screaming and laughing. Caitlin (12) had told them scary ghost stories and they were sure they were in danger outside. They piled in with their sleeping bags and pillows in the family room, we snuggled up, changed our movie to "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and everyone settled in for the night by 10:30.

When I was up in Milwaukee last taking care of Lucy & Josephine while parents out of town for five days, the girls and I were at Walgreen’s and asked if they could get a toy and I said yes. Josephine chose a squeezy light-up creature but red-haired Lucy (3) found a Whoopie pad. She sat on it and thought it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen. The three of us dissolved into giggles which continued on the walk home and every time one of them sat on it.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? If it’s nice weather, we love to be outdoors. Today I took Noah (8) and Luke (7) to the Oklahoma City Zoo. We play board games like "Scrabble" or "Candyland," card games like "War," "Black Jack," "Go Fish," and just hang out. I also love to take them to the park, or ride bikes with them. If they are spending the night, we pop popcorn and settle in with a movie or a pile of books before lights out.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Have special time with them doing a craft (I usually bring a craft when I go visit Josephine and Lucy in Wisconsin. We've made sock puppets, made and decorated a Christmas gingerbread house, done Shrinky Dinks, for example), However, THEIR favorite thing when I visit is the Treasure Hunts. I tell all about the treasure hunts in my book, Connect With Your Grandkids. Before making the trip, I save little surprises: like a package of Gummy Worms, new book or Slinky, yo-yo, some little toys in a basket and pack those in my suitcase. When I get there I make clues--and hide them around the house. They love the element of surprise and "the hunt" and always ask for another treasure hunt.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? I write Lucy and Josephine (my out of town grandgirls) cute postcards that say "I miss you" or "You're Special!")

We also Skype or talk on the phone once a week. I send them a package once a month or two. I take lots of photos when we’re together, and have made them a number of albums of our adventures and time together.

The in-town grandkids I try to keep in touch with by stopping by, taking them for ice cream, planning an outing or sleepover, or calling. When they're sick, I send a get-well card. When they do something commendable, I send a "Congratulations!" card.

A special thing I do during the grandkids’ 10th year is take them on a trip, just the two of us. When the first one, granddaughter Caitlin, turned 10, she picked Washington, D.C. We planned the trip together and went during her fall break during 5th grade. I bought her books ahead of time, a biography of George Washington and Clara Barton, she read on the way, and we went to both of their homes (Mt. Vernon and Clara Barton’s home & the 1st headquarters of the Red Cross). We rode the subway, walked to all the monuments, Smithsonian, had tea at the Ritz, took lots of photos, and a wonderful time. When we got home, I helped her create a scrapbook about the trip. Each of the other kids are already thinking about where they want to go. I have to save up ahead of time! Caleb turns 10 in October.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? A sense of adventure, faith, and a realization that I believe in them and their potential 100%.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Fun--because I like to have fun and hope we can do that when we're together. And "Listening" because I want to be a grandma who listens to them.

Do you have a website or blog? Yes, www.cherifuller.com and I have a blog on that website. This new website just launched a few weeks ago. Sometimes my blog will be for grandmas with fresh and fun ideas on ways to connect with their grandkids.

Grilled Grandma: Linda

How many children do you have? I have 4 girls and 3 step children.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I have 16 grandchildren and one on the way in August. Their ages are 24, 22, 20, 19, 14, 13, 13, 12, 12, 11, 7, 7, 6, 6, 4, 3. There are 6 of them that are step grand children but they are mine in my heart.

Any great grandchildren? Yes, I have 3 greatgrands and 2 on the way: a little girl due just any time and a boy that is due the last of July.

What do your grandchildren call you? They all call me Maw Maw.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Well, there are four that are married and have children, now I see them on get-togethers and talk regular to them on the phone or the computer. But the smaller ones, we see them on a regular basis. We have custody of two of them; they live full time with us.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? I think the best thing is the special way the grands talk to me. We have always had a good communication system between us and that makes it special.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Oh, the older kids sometimes seem to be a bit jealous of the little ones, especially the ones that live here with me. But they know I love them and I would do anything for them.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. One afternoon we were baking cookies and the kids were taking turns in adding the ingredients to the mix. The little boy didn't think he was doing his share and asked, "What do you want me to do, just sit and watch?"

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Well I have three that come down and they stay a week with me during summer break from school. We try to plan the week out so all of my time is spent just on those three children. Like going to the library or swimming in the pool, just sitting and watching a movie together and just cuddling on my bed.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Don't visit them much; they always come to my house. They love my homemade cooked meals and the sweets I cook.

How do you maintain the bong between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? I always keep the communication open so they can feel free to talk to me about anything and not be afraid of being put down.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? To respect themselves and other, to be honest, and do their best at anything they do.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? RESPECT

You can connect with Linda on Facebook.

Grilled Grandma: Kathy

How many children do you have? Three daughters by birth and one that is granddaughter by birth and daughter of my heart.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I have eight beautiful grandchildren. Connor age 16, Danielle age 13, Tristen age 13, Legacy age 11, Julianna age 10, Kristina age 8, Benjamin age 7 and Quinlan age 6. I have been parenting Danielle all her life.

Any great grandchildren? Not yet

What do your grandchildren call you? Danielle calls me Mommy and the rest call me Grandma.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Danielle lives with me and I see Connor, Tristen, Lagacy and Quinlan at least once a week. Julianna and Kristina live 1200 miles away but I see them during summer and school breaks.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Watching them grow and develop. The time to see each child’s special abilities. They are each fantastic people in their own ways.  Getting to love them without the responsibility of disciplining them.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Sitting back with my mouth shut when I disagree with things my grown children do differently than I would with the children. I may think I know better but I need to remember these are not my decisions to make unless they endanger the child.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. Watching all the children at Benjamin’s birthday party chase each other with the cold water hose.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Teaching the children a new skill or craft.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Watching them play and learning about their lives.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Most of the children are here often. The ones that live in Florida I communicate with through phone calls, letters and gifts.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Love of family community and service.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Love

Visit Kathy -- and peruse her reams of useful information -- at GrandsPlace, "For grandparents and special others raising children."

Grilled Grandma: Donne

How many children do you have? 1 daughter, 1 son

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? 2 granddaughters ages 7 and 3

Any great grandchildren? No, but my mom is a vibrant great-grandma who loves visiting her great granddaughters. One is named after her, Juliet, and the other is named after her mother, Amelia

What do your grandchildren call you? Baba – my older granddaughter named me when she was one.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Twice a month I drive 130 miles to their house and spend 2 nights with them. Sometimes they come and stay with us.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Having an audience for all my silly antics and laughing more than I’ve ever laughed before. There’s nothing better than seeing them run down the driveway screaming with joy when I arrive at their house!

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Remembering to keep my lips zipped when I’d really love to offer my advice, opinion or reaction. Having to say “no” to my granddaughters.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. They both are so entertaining that I laugh all the time. The 3-year old loves me to sing “The Little White Duck.” Recently, she did an imitation of me singing it and she was hilarious.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? We walk up and down our street and visit the neighbors, feed the koi fish in my pond, pick flowers and arrange them in vases and sing together.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? We play outside and discover things in nature, like seeing our reflection in a puddle or taking a walk and smelling the roses. We also love to hula hoop, jump rope and swing on their swings.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? My granddaughters call me and ask me to tell them stories. The older one started calling me when she was 3 ½. She’ll stay on the phone with me for an hour. We do creative projects together like designing their Halloween costumes. Last year they were both bunches of grapes.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? I want them to understand the importance of being a family and celebrating joyous events together.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Fun! We always have so much fun together. I want them to remember our annual Girls Getaways and the little rituals I’ve made up for them, like breakfast picnics with candles on the eggs.

Do you have a website or blog?  The GaGa Sisterhood is a social network where grandmas bond, brag, and benefit. I founded the GaGa Sisterhood in December 2003 after I witnessed the birth of my first granddaughter and went completely gaga!

Grilled Grandma: Judy

How many children do you have?  5 children

How many grandchildren?  8 grandchildren -- 6 boys and 2 girls
 
What are their ages?   Ages 6 to 26
 
Any great grandchildren? 1 (he's 16 months old)

What do your grandchildren call you? Grandma -- and the big ones call me Grams!

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Lots!  Two live across the street and the rest are pretty close.  It's harder now to see the older children because they are so busy working and going to school.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Watching these guys grow up.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma?  These new-fangled electronic things they all seem to have!  However, they all know how to fix my computer and work my phone and digital camera!!  That's a big plus!

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. Our 14-year old grandson started playing lacrosse for the first time this season.  Since we have been football, baseball, basketball people all our lives, this is a new sport for us.  So my husband asked him how many periods there were in the game.  He said, "I have no idea!  I don't even know how to play it!"

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house?  Play games. For many years, we have yearly special activities for the children and grandchildren. In February we have a 'RED DINNER' for Valentine's Day where all the food is red.  On St. Patrick's Day we have a 'GREEN DINNER' where all the food is green.  The last Saturday in October, we have a Pumpkin Feast.  All these involve an afternoon of competitive games--and often a scavenger hunt of some kind.  We've had Bible hunts, hunts with cameras and tape players, and this Thanksgiving we had a scavenger hunt at a huge grocery store--maybe the best one we ever had!!! And in the summertime, we have Camp Grandma--a day camp for the middle-aged children for 1 week. And In December, I always have a Christmas Tea for them.  Actually I have 2 teas--one for the ‘big' kids (because they love fancy goodies), and one for the 'little kids' because they like plain, ordinary food made to look fancy!!!

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house?  I don't often go to their homes because they are always here.  But when I do go, I usually end up helping mom clean!!

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Years ago, when they were younger, 4 of our grandchildren lived several hours away from us.  I used to make cassette tapes and send them to them.  I would talk to them by name on the tape, read stories, play music and sing, talk about what we would do the next time they came to visit, maybe something I was going to make for their next visit.  My daughter would tell me that when they got the tapes, they would sit and listen and actually 'talk' to me as I was talking on the tape.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren?  The memories of playing together and enjoying each other regardless of what they can or cannot do.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you?  She's lots of fun, and she always thought I was special!

You can visit Judy any time on her blog, Bible Gal. (Tip: Scroll down the page and on the left side you'll find a great recipe for "Fried Egg Treats" that aren't eggs at all. Very creative -- and yummy!)