Spring

Part of the fun of living in the Midwest is dealing with the spring snow.  Just when you begin to enjoy the warmer weather, the snow starts.  I've been in some pretty big snow storms in South Dakota and Colorado, so I won't be surprised to see another.  A few days ago after a warm weekend, I woke up to snow.  It didn't last long and since I spent most of the day on the road, was able to see the snow turn to rain, and the roads go from slushy to wet to dry.  Watching my 11-year-old granddaughter's softball practice with a winter coat on this evening is just another part of spring.  I heard someone in the store today say that the weather won't turn warm until the robin feels snow three times on it's back.

Grandparents.com gives us 30 Fresh Ideas for Spring Fun.  I'm looking forward to walking the neighborhood with my grandchildren once the flower gardens begin to show their beauty.  We can start out to see how many different colors we can find. We'll bring some cameras do they can take photos of their favorites.

I think I'll skip the camping in the backyard.  I remember the last time I set up a tent by myself.  I was at Boy Scout Leaders Training Campout in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Don was the Scoutmaster, so stayed in another area of the camp and the boys were with the other scouts in still another area.  I was pretty proud at the time of setting up my tent alone, although any good scout could have done it much faster.  I woke up that morning to the tent covered with snow.  I peaked out of my tent and there was Don walking by.  I didn't feel so much alone then.  It was fun, but now I think camping out in the house is more my style.

Planting a garden will be fun.  I'll probably plant them at the boys' homes, I just need to ask them how much space I'll have to have.  I can then take the children on a shopping trip.  Granddaughter age 8 is growing a cabbage that she got at school.  I'm excited to see how it's grown. 

What are your ideas for a spring activity with children and grandchildren?

100 Free Things To Do With Your Grandkids

One of my favorite websites to review is Grandparents.com . Last weekend I found  100 Free Things To Do With Your Grandkids .  Granddaughter age 11, looking over my shoulder, said "I forgot all about hangman."  That was my charge, let's play hangman!  I quickly chose the word(s) "Summer Fun" and decided to play while they completed their weekend chores.

My charge to make today fun was solved.  They enjoyed the game and a winner emerged.  We continued to play as the day went on.  We played three times while they completed their chores for the day.  The competition was fun and I didn't have to remind them to complete their chores.    100 Free Things To Do With Your Grandkids was added to my favorites. 

I hope you enjoy this site.  Do you have a favorite site to share with us?

Summer is Coming

Summer is coming and who is more excited, my grandchildren or me?   It's probably me since they look at me strangely whenever I say "Summer's coming!" and with the next breath "Get your warm coats on, we have to get to school."  It's hard for me to contain my excitement.

We've had one birthday since my last post and today we have another birthday.  So far this year we have granddaughter age 10 now 11, granddaughter age 8 now 9, and granddaughter age 6 turning 7 today.  Grandson age 7 is still 7, looking forward to age 8 in a few months. 

Granddaughter age 9 has made up a summer fun list for me, one side for indoors and one side for outdoors.  Last weekend the weather was exceptionally warm, so we went to their favorite park for a hike. Parks were on her outdoor list.  Throwing rocks into the river, watching sticks float down the river, and climbing trees added to the enjoyment of the hike.  I got some much needed exercise, also.  The weather has turned cold again.  We don't mind.  There are still velvet pictures to color, plastic canvas Easter bunnies to complete, movies from the library to watch, and lists to make for fun days this summer. 

What are your plans for the summer?