These are so cute and easy to make. You just use Rhodes Bake-N-Serve rolls. They would be great for the grandkids, mine never eat a whole hamburger anyway.
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Sorting is a great activity to get kids thinking about data, attributes and patterns and how things can be organized in different ways. These are skills they need for math.

1. Collect many different kinds of things to sort (buttons, rocks, shells money, lids, beans, small toys, etc.).
2. Download the “How Many Ways to Sort” and “Sorting Mat”.
3. Use the Sorting Mat to sort the items into categories. There will be many different ways to sort the items. You can sort by shape, size, color, etc.
4. Write down all the different things you sorted and the way you sorted them on the How Many Ways to Sort sheet. See how many different ways you can sort the items. This activity also reinforces writing skills.

Download All Sorts of Sorts

Ethan likes to eat under the table so here he is having breakfast.

At Wheeler Farm, Ethan had fun throwing a stick in the stream and running to the bridge to catch it. Oh, the simple joys of childhood!

Then is was off to Great-Grandma’s condo for swimming.

After swimming, Great-Grandma took us to Wendy’s for lunch.

Great tips about safe ways to play with your children/grandchildren from Parent’s Magazine.
1. Don’t toss your baby in the air. Instead hold him/her close against your chest and jump up and down. It’s still exciting but there’s no risk of hurting baby.
2. Never tickle torture your child/grandchild, it is very painful.
3. Wrestle with your child/grandchild but make sure you are in a safe space.

I found this great site with free music and activities for preschoolers. Check it out.
KIBOOMU

This is a simple activity you can do with your children (3-11 years) that will strengthen their reading and writing skills. Choose a short book to read. Whether you’re reading the book to your child or they are reading to you, be sure to stop periodically and ask questions about what has happened in the story and let them predict what they think will happen next. This is a great way to reinforce comprehension of the story. When you are finished reading, together discuss the sequence of events in the story and make a story wheel.

STEP 1 Trace 2 circles, that are the same size, on white paper. I used a plate.

STEP 2 Cut out the circles. Mark the center on one of the circles.

STEP 3 Cut out a triangular shape but don’t go right to the center marking. You will need a place to put your brad or paperclip.

STEP 4 It now looks like Pac Man. Put the two circles together and secure at the center point using a brad or paperclip.

STEP 5 On the whole circle have the child draw and color their favorite parts of the story following the sequence of the story. Each scene should fit into the cutout section. Retell the story by turning the top circle to show each drawing.

Vince Lombardi is quoted as saying, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” However, according to his son, what he really said is “Winning isn’t everything, trying to win is.” I personally like the second statement better. You can’t always win and that’s a difficult concept for children to learn. Participating in sports has many advantages but it’s important to understand “stages of competition” when teaching children a sport.

At age 4, children like to cooperate.
At ages 5 & 6, children learn competition.
At ages 7 & 8, children compare their abilities with others’.
At age 12, children start to associate losing with personal failure.

Source: Child Centered Coaching by Dr. Steven Bavolek

Fun math game for ages 4-10 years.

STEP 1 Print out the 20 Frame Game sheet with number cubes.

STEP 2 Cut out the number cubes and use clear tape to assemble.

STEP 3 Each player will need 1 Twenty Frame Game pattern and beans to be used as markers.

STEP 4 Have fun playing the game as follows:

1. Player # 1 shakes both number cubes and add the numbers together.
2. Place the total number of beans on the 20 frame (be sure to add the beans beginning on the top row from left to right then go to the second row adding on beans left to right).
3. Player #2 does the same.
4. The player with the greatest value wins the round. Decide ahead of time how many rounds you will play to determine the winner.

Variations:
Subtraction –Shake both number cubes. Cover the 20 frame with beans representing the number with the greatest value. Subtract the beans that represent the number with the least value. The player with the lowest value wins the round.

Addition and Subtraction – Shake both number cubes and add the numbers together. Place that number of beans on the 20 frame. Shake 1 number cube and subtract that amount. The player with the least value wins the round.

A quick and easy treat.
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I attended a fantastic two day bookmaking workshop presented by artist and bookmaker Susan Kapluscinski Gaylord. I have been following Susan for several months and she inspired me to have my grandkids make books of their “Special Day with Grandma Liz.” All of her ideas use materials you already have and would probably recycle but now they have a new use. Check out her website Makingbooks .

Ethan making his “Special Day with Grandma Liz” book.

It was very easy to make: I just folded paper, punched two holes in the center, and tied a ribbon to hold it together.