Fall Break for our Grandsons

Grandson #2 and Po

Well it is fall break for our grandsons, which means while our son is at work, I get to see the boys; well at least I thought that was how it was going to go.

I arrived this morning, however, instead of leaving I told the boys they could sleep in and I would stay in town until Bible Study. Well 1 ½ -2 hours went by before the youngest emerged with tablet in hand, saying good morning and asked how long I had been here. It then took a few more minutes before grandson #2 came out to wish Po and I a good morning.

I did not see grandson #1 until I needed something in the kitchen to make breakfast and could not find it, however, they all retreated quickly to the dark bedroom. When brunch was done, they all came out and then took it back into their rooms. Seriously, what is the attraction of a dark room?

Grandson #1 in tree house

With the weekend temperatures so cold and windy and the temperature being 63 degrees today I thought they would want to be outside but I was wrong. I hope they enjoy it today as tomorrow I will pick them up, head to the gym and then to the Farm. Well it is not really a farm but we are in an old farmhouse surrounded by fields. Anyways, it is to be 72 degrees with sunshine and that will be enough for me to want to hit the outside and take in some natural vitamin D3. Besides, I do not have cable TV or a dark room for them to retreat too; therefore, I hope they are enjoying the seclusion.

With all seriousness, they have been in their room a lot but I have seen them a few minutes this afternoon to talk. Dad is on his way home so they will come out to be with him. I guess after all it is their fall break.

How to Dye Easter Eggs with Your Children or Grandchildren

Easter is a wonderful part of springtime. It is not just Easter eggs and Easter bunnies; it is when Jesus Christ rose from the grave for us. Why not take the tradition of dyeing Easter eggs and the story of Jesus’ death on the cross and living again and put them together. My grandson and I enjoyed our time and sharing. I will show you how to dye Easter eggs with your grandchildren.
John 20:1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

 Supplies needed to dye Easter eggs with your Grandchildren:

Food Color and Vinegar

• Eggs
• Food color/Egg dye
• Vinegar
• Newspaper
• Paper towels
• Vinyl gloves
• Spoon
• Containers
• Crayon
• Lots of Patience

 Instructions to dye Easter eggs with your grandchildren:

My grandson wrote on the eggs with the crayon

1)    First thing to do is to check to make sure you have everything you will need. You will need eggs, crayons, food color/egg dye, vinegar, spoons and something to guard your table from stains.

2)    Place the eggs in hot water and boil for approximately 5 minutes. Boiling to long will not hurt them any.

3)    Remove the eggs from the stove and pour off the hot water. Run cold water over them to cool off so you can handle them.

4)    It is now time for the vinegar and food color/egg dye. I used measuring cups, I used 1 cup of vinegar and just kept adding drops of food color until I got the color I wanted.

5)    It is VERY important when working with your grandchildren to protect the surface of the working station. Take newspaper and lay it down. Place the cups of Easter egg colors on the newspaper. Still even more protection may be desired, so lay down some paper towel for the Easter eggs to drain on.

6)    If you want to add words or design on your Easter Eggs get a crayon. Your grandchildren may not be a real artist, however, that is OK, it is to be a teaching tool while you are having fun; however, it will take some patience.

7)    Have your child/grandchild wear vinyl gloves to protect their hands. You do not want to have a rainbow colored child. Have them put the egg in the color of their choice.
Let the egg set in the food color for a minute or two to get the desired color. When it is time to come out have them take the spoon and guide the egg to the top of the cup and then they can take the egg off the spoon and put on the paper towel.

8)    Keep repeating step 6 until you have dyed all the Easter eggs.

For best success, explain to grandchild what you are doing before you start and prepare for a mess! Explain to your grandchild that Jesus Lives and that is what Easter is all about, dyeing Easter eggs is simply fun.

For Easter Basket Ideas: Cheap Homemade Easter Baskets: Recycle and Save

Halloween at Dewart Lake

Picture is from 2010

I am here at the cottage and did a big oops, not bringing any candy. At the farm we never get any trick or treaters, therefore, I never gave it a thought to pick up a bag of candy for here, when I picked the the bags for the Light the Night party. 

I miss seeing my grandchildren every day but not getting to see them all dressed up stinks too. 

 

With that said, I hope my boys will be dressed warm as the forecast here is down right cold and ugly.

Outfits from 2013

This is the costumes the baby boys wore in 2013, I didn't get to see them first hand but was glad to see the picture.

The Schwartz's 2013

Last October I was in KY for Grandparents Day and actually saw the baby girl's costume come together. I am uncertain of any of the costumes this year so hoping to see a lot of photographs. 


Please have a safe and wonderful Halloween no matter the weather forecast.

Field Trip to Notre Dame University

 Attending the field trip to Notre Dame University with my grandson. Going with him year after year has been a treat for me as much as it if for  him.

 This year he is in the 5th grade and there trip was to visit Notre Dame and the famous golden dome.

 After much of the tour with Allie, we were told once you are a student at Notre Dame, it is a superstition, if you go down the main stairs leading to the main building or the golden dome, you will not graduate. Therefore, we went down the steps and she went the alternate route. It was a great view and made a good photo opt.

 This is the library wall and the painting is called Touchdown Jesus. Why? I have no clue.

 Here the grandson stands by the football/Lou Holtz statue.

 My grandson loved this picture and wanted to act as if he was holding it up. I simply wanted him to stand by the picture, he jumped underneath.

 This is the grotto, many catholic children were in the group and knew exactly what to do. It was a new experience for my grandson. According to ND website, "The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is one-seventh the size of the famed French shrine where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette on 18 occasions in 1858. Visiting the site on one of his many trips to his native country, Notre Dame founder Father Edward Sorin vowed to reproduce it on the campus of his new university. A gift from Rev. Thomas Carroll, a former theology student, made it possible in 1896. Boulders from surrounding farms, most weighing two tons or more, were used in its construction."

 The children did not think they would be able to see the stadium as it was not on the tour. Our little group was lucky, in the sense, that Allie had the key to the gate as she worked with the team. I'm sure they told the other groups when they got back to the school. It was cool to watch them look around.

 My grandson outside the stadium beside the Knute Rockne statue. This was the last thing they did before heading back to the bus.

My personal favorite. The field was being watered, at first they attempted to stay out of the water. Here, my grandson, is escaping the stream. Well, after seeing another jump into the stream, he got a tad wet too. It was  a beautiful 78 degrees May 6th so he dried quickly.
Again, I loved the chance to go on the field trip and as long as I am available I will always go and be with my kids.

Birthday Family Fun

Loves her mommy!

 Missing our daughter’s 33rd birthday was something that saddened me, however, the winters in Indiana and driving 6 hours south for the first time by myself frightened me.

Oh what a surprise it was one week later when she surprised us by making her first trip north with my 4-year old grand daughter. It was not because of her birthday it was for her dad’s, which was one week later. 

Saying birthday cheers with cheese!

My son had already been invited to come for dinner for his dad’s birthday; he knew she was coming, so he popped in with the grandsons. It was a tad noisy but oh, what a great noise it was!

Grandpa, son and grandchildren

Another surprise for my nephews, we all got together for breakfast at the local restaurant the following Saturday. That was part of our kid’s plans, which we did not know about, until the girls arrived. 

Scrap wood project

While the girls spent a couple of days with us, our grand daughter wanted not only snuggle time but the crafty time her and mom do at home. She wanted to make something with wood, scrap wood would be fine, however; we had to scale down what she actually wanted to build. She had in her mind to build a tree house. We convinced her to do something smaller so grandpa and Zeely made a bookshelf.

My son and grandchildren

To end our good, quality, fun family time we met, at our son’s home, after church Sunday. We celebrated the upcoming 5^th birthday of my grandson.

Our kids and 3 of the grandchildren

  

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas to All

^{Luke 2:8-12; NIV}
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

I was blessed on Sunday Eve to see my son Ian, his girlfriend Erin, my daughter and her family for Christmas fun and celebration.

 Christmas Eve at great grandma's house, the cousins shared a little bit of time.

 Family dinner, fun and laughter

My daughter Jasmine, Granddaughter Zeely Jade and myself at our home. 
Zeely decided to show her love to us (in her own way) in this picture. She grabbed on tight and had a genuine smile of love. I am one blessed mom and grandmother.
 Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 

  

Digging Potatoes with Grandpa

While Grandpa used the fork, she used her hands

Grandpa loves gardening, potatoes and sweet potatoes are one of our biggest crop, therefore, when the grandchildren want to  help dig potatoes he is glad to show them how it is done.

Digging potatoes with grandpa is an annual event, 3-year old Zeely Jade was here last weekend so it was her turn to help.

Look at this big sweet potato

At first Z didn't get the hang of the potato fork, however by  the time they got done with the sweet potatoes and headed to the white and red potatoes she was a pro.

She's got a handle of the tater fork.

Having Fun with Your Children on a Snowy Day

Having fun with your children or grand children on a snowy winter day is easy. It will be fun for all and will create lasting memories. Getting your children out of the house and into the fresh air isn't always easy, however, if you join them, they will be racing you out the door for some snow day fun.

Things you will need:

• Time (and a little patience)
• Snow, the more the better!
• Warm clothes
• Snow suits, hats, gloves and boots
• Sleds

Read more on: Seekyt 

Snowman Craft on Bubblews

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