Grandchildren Archives - Page 2 of 16 - Grateful Prayer

Hello August! Summer Activities for Kids in South Jersey

By Lorraine

It’s August! Usually the hottest month of the year and there is still a full month before school starts! Running out of ways to keep the kids busy? If you live in the South Jersey area and you are looking for fun things to do, I have a few suggestions. Kid tested summer activities that you will enjoy too.

Fresh Strawberry Pie

By Lorraine

Chloe was trying hard to be patient. But when you have seven siblings, it takes almost forever for it to be your turn to go to MomMom and PopPop’s house. She was even willing to allow her little brother to come along for the weekend. And, she came with a request. She wanted to bake a fresh strawberry pie.

Cupcakes with Cherry Buttercream Frosting

By Lorraine

What is better than a vanilla cupcake with a big swirl of fluffy cherry frosting, sprinkled with jimmies and topped with a cherry? Making them with a granddaughter, that’s what. Shaela came to spend part of her summer break with her PopPop and I and also spend time with her New Jersey cousins. Making vanilla cupcakes with cherry buttercream frosting cupcakes together topped her list of fun things to do while she was here. It was a sweet idea!

Making Memories and GIANT Bubbles with Kids

By Lorraine

How-to DIY instructions for making a fun summer activity for grandchildren and kids of all ages. GIANT bubbles too big to believe

Kids, big and small, never outgrow a fascination with bubbles. How many of those little plastic bottles of bubble solution have you bought through the years. Yes, me too. There is just something delightful in blowing little iridescent globes of various shapes that float effortlessly through the air and then suddenly POP! Imagine the FUN you and your kids will have making super GIANT bubbles. Continue Reading

Little Champ

By Lorraine

Sometimes even a little tumble can cause a big hurt.

This is Chloe. She was playing in her Little Tikes Cozy Coupe and somehow getting out, she tumbled. Her siblings and neighborhood kids were all playing and went to help her when she ran to her mom shouting, “I broke my bone!”. One look and her mom knew this was bad.

Jamie cut away her shirt and put her arm into a sling. Off to Urgent Care. They took X-rays and sent her to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).

This is what a supracondylar break looks like.

The night before surgery, the doctor had to manipulate the bone back through the fascia because he was concerned it could have poked through the skin as she slept. (middle left photo above)

Now, with two pins, a bright pink cast and a little time, Chloe will be good as new.

While Jamie was caring for Chloe, Joelle and Jethro came to our house for a couple of days.

Baby Joelle clung to Aunt Erin and shared all of her cold germs.

And like all that went before her, Joelle loved splashing bubbles in the kitchen sink.

At the store Aunt Erin told us how excited Joelle got when they turned onto an isle and she saw a display of little dolls. Joelle told everyone that listened about her babies.

Jethro was my little shadow. We planted seeds together. He showed me that he is as tall as a yardstick. We watched movies and snuggled at bedtime.

(Did you know that if you thread a yardstick down through the cabinet drawer pulls you can prevent a curious mobile baby girl from opening each drawer and removing dangerous content. Yes, after 13 grandbabies, I learned this. It is not perfect but it will buy you some time.)

(you can see the yardstick better in this photo)

Shaela is our granddaughter who lives in upstate New York. This week was Shaela’s turn to be Super Kid in her class. Family can attend this 30 minute time to celebrate each Super Kid and share interesting or amusing stories or thoughts about why this Super Kid is special to them. Jet and I got to be part via FaceTime as did PopPop John from his work office and Shaela’s other grandparents who are currently in Hawaii. Pretty amazing, I say.

and from the recent past…

When you are a mom to eight children it might take you almost a year to make good on your Father’s Day gift. Jamie and John finally got to enjoy their father/daughter evening together. Dinner and then home to watch a special episode of one of their favorite shows, Gold Rush. Remembering John Schnabel is a moving tribute of John by his grandson, Parker.

Back in February we had a visit from our New York family. Aunt Erin giving our grandson, Braden a haircut.

After this long week, John and I went to a restaurant we had been wanting to try. We were pleasantly surprised to learn it was Restaurant Week and the menu was a lovely 4-course meal, including, an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert sampler. We thoroughly enjoyed or time together.

Vintage Childhood Chrome Table and Chairs Restoration

By Lorraine

Restoring my vintage childhood chrome table and chairs was a labor of love. This sweet mid-century Formica and chrome set has been in our family for many years.Continue Reading

Shirley Temple Floats for Valentine’s Day

By Lorraine

Fun and pretty Shirley Temples and pink whipped cream make delicious floats just right for Valentine's Day.

Think pink and quick and easy for celebrating Valentine’s Day with little ones. Your Shirley Temple floats don’t have to be as messy as mine to be a special and fun treat. Fun and pretty Shirley Temples and pink whipped cream make delicious floats just right for kids.Continue Reading

Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House

By Lorraine

Super sweet, fun and easy to make, a Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House is a great project to do with kids. Decorate with Royal Icing as the glue for favorite candy and treats. I am sharing this Valentine’s Day Gingerbread House again, because not only was it really tasty but because it was such a fun project my little granddaughters loved! They were thrilled with the results.

Baby Joelle’s Turn

By Lorraine

This little sweet pea had her turn wearing PopPop John’s christening outfit just like her siblings and cousins. Besides baby Joelle’s turn in this vintage piece, other family members wore it too.Continue Reading

End of Year Wrap-up

By Lorraine

As the year draws to a close I’m trying to catch up by posting activities and memory-making moments with and for family. It’s been a busy and full couple of months. My heart overflows. Hard to imagine that less than five months ago I had a total hip replacement.Continue Reading

Knitted Bow Tie Pattern

By Lorraine

These little gents are looking dapper in their knitted red bow ties. Getting photos of our two youngest grandsons was much harder than actually making the bow ties!Continue Reading

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

By Lorraine

Do your kids like to bake and putter in the kitchen? Our granddaughter does. Shaela’s list of things to do while visiting this summer from a few states away included baking. She chose to make this raspberry cream cheese coffee cake.

summertime

By Lorraine

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Leonardo da Vinci

Aquarium

By Lorraine

Aren’t these Pacific Sea Nettles Jellyfish fascinating?

This was my favorite part of our visit to the Adventure Aquarium by the Camden NJ Waterfront.

A week with Shaela

By Lorraine

We spent a long weekend visiting our daughter in upstate NY while her husband, Brad was in Massachusetts doing a two-week intense study as he works toward his school administration certificate. The five hour drive can become boring but not with a spectacular sunset.

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

By Lorraine

Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies makes a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. I served it at a graduation party as a side dish but it would be a great entrée served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.Continue Reading

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