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.

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

The month of July is always exciting so this months newsletter includes activities to share with your grandchildren and other family members. It seems that fireworks aren’t limited just to the 4th, there are always events that end in a fireworks display. I’ve include a pattern for making your own fireworks. They can be decorations or favors for your picnic or barbecue table. For a treat that will help your grandkids with their measurement skills, check out the recipe for Treat Stars. It’s easy to make and fun to eat. There is a memory game that can be played at large or small gatherings or just one on one with your grandchild. No materials are needed just a good memory. A free origami house pattern is available to download. It’s a different way for your grandchild to write or draw about a time you came to visit. I’m adding new ideas and activities each week to my blog so be sure to check it out and let me know what you think. I also have a new Summer Activity Kit available.

Download Firecracker Patterns and decorate with crayons, markers, glitter, etc.
You can write what America means to you in the spaces provided.
Cut out and glue around a cardboard tube (toilet paper, paper towel, foil) about 5 inches in height.
Make the tube look like a firecracker by gluing strips of color paper or foil on the inside of the tube. We added some flags and star bases to our firecrackers.

Download Directions for House All you need is a rectangle shape piece of paper and a pencil. You can make your house as large or as small as you like depending on the size of paper. Have your grandchild fold the paper into a house. They may need your help. Read a story about families or traditions and on the house, have your grandchild write or draw pictures about a special family activity or tradition. Stand it up to display. You can also use stickers that represent a family activity or tradition. That’s what my grandson in the photo used to decorate his house.

The novelist Walker Percy once observed, “Some people get all A’s but flunk life,” Succeeding in life takes character. I recently read the book Character Matters by Dr. Thomas Lickona. It gave me great insight into how important it is to help our children and grandchildren build good character. Lickona, a developmental psychologist , maintains there are 10 essential qualities needed to build good character: wisdom, justice, fortitude, love, self-control, a positive attitude, hard work, integrity, gratitude, and humility. As grandparents we have the opportunity to help in this building process with our grandchildren. Think about activities that you have done with your grandchildren that help build character and share them on my blog. To find more information on this topic and other work that Dr. Lickona has done go to www.cortland.edu/character/.

June for me is an exciting month because school is out and I feel I have time to do some of the things that I haven’t had time for during the school year. One important thing is to plan some fun activities with my grandchildren. I enjoy going to museums and historical sites but most young children aren’t very interested in those places so in this months newsletter I’ve included some suggestions to share those experiences with your grandchildren and make a special memory. There’s also a fun family activity that involves catching family members doing good deeds and building scoops of ice cream. Free downloads for a ladybug math activity and a three bears writing activity are great to do on a hot afternoon when you want to be inside taking a break from the summer sun. I came across a great website you might want to check out, bornlearning.org. It has a lot of fun and educational ideas. I hope you enjoy this months ideas.

Download Ice Cream Cone
Print out an ice cream cone pattern for each family member. Each person cuts out the single scoop ice cream cone and writes their name on the scoop of ice cream. Put the cones on the fridge or a bulletin board so everyone can see them. Cut out the remaining scoops and put them in a place that is accessible to all members of the family. When a member of the family catches someone doing a good deed, write the deed on an ice cream scoop and attach it to their cone. Watch the ice cream cone get taller and taller as good deeds are being done.

Download Lady Bug
Print out copies of the lady bugs for each math problem you want to create. Cut out the main body and the wings. Attach with a brad where indicated with a circle. On the wings write a math problem such as 5 x 7 or 12 + 3. Write the answer on the body. When the wings are together your grandchild solves the problem. To check to see if the answer is correct, separate the wings.

Download Three Bears
Read or tell the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears then using the free patterns, have your grandchild write their own version of the three bears story.

May, what a delightful month. Flowers are in bloom, the buds on bushes and trees are bursting and everything seems to be green. It’s also a time when you see the fluttering of butterfly wings. So, I have included a fun butterfly sandwich to make with your grandchildren when they come for lunch. They can also create a poem or story about a caterpillar in the shape of a caterpillar. You can download the pattern. Cinco De Mayo is May 5th and what better way to celebrate than to make tacos together. A recipe is included so your grandchildren can use their measuring skills to create their taco. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on those that have past on. This can be a special time to share memories of loved ones that your grandchildren may have never known or do not remember. A pocket watch pattern can be used to write down memories and you can even include a photo. This can become a keepsake for your grandchildren.  I hope you enjoy these ideas and please share your experiences with me on my blog.

Download Hungry Caterpillar Read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. It’s a story about  a tiny caterpillar who eats and eats until he becomes a big, fat caterpillar. He builds a small house around himself and after two weeks, he becomes a beautiful butterfly. When you’re finished let your grandchildren write their own “hungry caterpillar” story using the caterpillar pattern. Download the pattern and cut out the two sections of circles. Glue them on a piece of paper to form a caterpillar. Write the story on each section. Add eyes, feet and antennae.

Download the Gold Watch pattern and write special memories of a loved one who has past on. Attach a photograph if one is available. Invite your grandchildren over for a special night to share memories. It might be fun to include some characteristics your loved one had that you recognize in your grandchildren. What a great way for them to connect with their ancestors and it would become a special keepsake. If your grandchildren aren’t close enough to invite over you can send it in the mail.

You could share the book Grandfather’s Gold Watch as part of your special time together. It’s the story of  twelve-year-old Peter who receives a gift from his grandfather as he bids farewell to Denmark and sails with his family to America. It is a beautiful gold watch. His grandfather tells him the watch will remind him to ask himself, what have I done with my name? What have I done with my time? His grandfather’s words stay with him his whole life and keep him connected to his family.

I love the month of March whether is comes in like a lamb or a lion. It’s a signal for me that Spring is not far off and in Salt Lake City that means warmer weather, trees bursting with new buds and colorful blooming flowers. For grandparents it means great outdoor activities to enjoy with your grandchildren. I have a fun new way that  grandparents can preserve memories for their grandchildren. The Mini Memory Maker is a small booklet that is easy to make. All you do is write a short note about a special activity you and your grandchild shared together, include a few photos and send it off. It’s sure to make your grandchild feel special. You can order a Mini Memory Maker now. This month, free downloads include St. Patrick’s Day and Easter activities. There’s a Pot ‘O Gold activity you can send to your grandchildren or use as a favor for a family dinner. You can also make a Rice Krispie treat nest with jelly bean eggs and Peeps chickens. The Eggs in a Nest math game reinforces addition and subtraction facts as well as odd and even numbers. For reading and writing I’ve recommended some books that can be a springboard for a St. Patrick’s Day creative writing activity. I hope you enjoy this months activities. As always, I appreciate any comments you would like to share.

Download Eggs In A Nest Game This is a great activity to reinforce addition and subtraction as well as even and odd numbers. Cut out the eggs and solve the problem. Glue the eggs in the appropriate nest.  You can play “I’m Thinking of an Egg”.  Give clues such as:this egg is in the even nest, the answer is 10, or this egg has an 8. You and your grandchild can make up many variations.