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I just returned from Chicago where I did a workshop at the DKG Society International Convention. I made new friends and many participants shared great ideas of things they are doing with their children and grandchildren. I’ll be sharing these ideas with you over the next few months.

August, for me, is an anniversary, one year since I began my website. It has been an exciting and challenging adventure that I plan to continue for many years to come. Thank you for your interest and support.

This month’s activities are easy and fun. There’s a math “giant jam sandwich” activity that really stretches the imagination. For reading and writing I’ve included a pattern for a paper sack journal. You can take it anywhere and the great thing is that it can hold small treasures too. For the whole family I’ve included some recipes that can be made fast with little or no cooking. There’s a cute idea for an apron recommended by my friend Jane. You can make a family photo memory tray that is sure to bring years of family fun each time it is used.

I love getting out my family memory serving tray when the family gathers together. It seems we never tire of looking at the photos and remembering the vacations we took to a favorite cabin several summers in a row. Even though the grandchildren are not in the photos they enjoy identifying all the people and find it hard to believe their parents were once as young as they are now. You can make your own memory serving tray.
You’ll need:
tray (I bought my metal tray at a thrift store for $.50 but you could use a plastic or wood tray)
photos or memorabilia
Modge Podge (you can get this at any craft store)
paint brush
clear acrylic sealer (find at any craft or home improvement store)
Directions:
1. Wash and dry tray.
2. Decide how you want to display your photos and trim to fit tray.
3. Spread Modge Podge on the tray with a brush and apply photos.
4. Brush Modge Podge over all your photos. It will dry clear. If you are going to use your tray for display only you can stop here. If you want to use it for serving I would suggested spraying a clear acrylic sealer. Follow the directions on the can. It has a very strong smell so do it outside.
Tip: I just use my tray for bread, rolls or chips. I’m not sure what will happen if it gets water or other moist food items on it and I don’t want to take the chance of ruining my photos.

Download Paper Sack Journal Pattern This is a unique and fun way for your grandchildren to keep up on their writing skills while camping or traveling. They can keep postcards, brochures or other items in the paper sack and write or draw about their adventures.
You’ll need: 2 lunch size paper sacks, staples or tape

This is a fun activity that combines addition, multiplication & division skills. The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Lord & Janet Burroway is a tall tale about a village afflicted by a plague of wasps. They try many ways to get rid of them but they are unsuccessful. Finally, someone has the idea to make a giant jam sandwich. The sandwich is so giant it covers the entire park! The jam attracts the wasps and they quickly cover it with the top slice of bread and haul it away. Your grandchildren can make their own jam or peanut butter sandwich and use raisins for the wasps. They can see how many wasps (raisins) they can catch on one slice of bread. If you don’t want to use real bread, you can trace a slice of bread on paper and use paper clips for the wasps.
You can ask questions such as:
How many wasps can you catch with 2, 3 or 4 sandwiches?
How many sandwiches would it take to catch 100 wasps?
What if the wasps were twice as big, how many could you catch?

My friend Jane told me about a cute and easy apron idea for your grandchildren. No sewing involved! It keeps them clean while you’re cooking and it can be washed and reused. You’ll need 1 dish towel for each child. Fold the towel in half then put ribbon or string across the inside fold. This becomes the waistband. Tie around the child’s waist. If you need your grandchild covered across the top just pin the towel at his shoulders and tie a ribbon or string at the waist.
Here’s some fun and easy recipes with little or no cooking.

Frozen Banana Pops
You will need: ¼ banana for each child
¾ c. chocolate chips
3 T. margarine
Optional - crushed nuts, graham crackers or sprinkles
1. Cover a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
2. Peel each banana and cut into quarters.
3. Put a popscicle stick into each segment, place on a cookie sheet and freeze.
4. Melt chocolate chips and margarine over love heat.
5. Remove from heat and dip frozen bananas into chocolate mixture.
6. Optional - roll in crushed nuts, graham crackers, or sprinkles.
7. Put chocolate covered bananas on the cookie sheet and return to freezer.
8. After the bananas are refrozen, they are ready to eat.

Peanut Butter Candy
You will need: 3 oz. peanut butter
½ c. margarine
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 T. vanilla flavoring
1. Blend together peanut butter, margarine, sugar and vanilla.
2. Roll with hands and make into any shape.

Carob Candy
You will need: 1 c. honey
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. carob powder
1 c. sesame seeds
1 c. unsalted peanuts
½ c. shredded coconut
1. Cover cookie sheet with waxed paper.
2. Heat honey and peanut butter until they can be easily mixed together.
3. Quickly add the remaining ingredient and mix.
4. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.
5. Refrigerate until ready to eat.