Thursday, January 19, 2012

Long Distance Grandparent Ideas

CREATE, IMAGINE, AND EXPLORE!  If you are so inclined.

Some of us are long distance grandma's and some are not and some are both. The internet has helped close this gap with Skype and iChat, etc. Today I have discovered a site that will help close the gap even more in different ways.

This site was brought to my attention by a friend in CA and I think this is such a clever idea and I wanted to share it with the grandparents that want more involvement with their grandkids whether they are away or living in the same town as you.

The blog is all about craft ideas and science projects for kids. You can look at the blog and get ideas for yourself and get the supplies together and  CREATE, IMAGINE, AND EXPLORE with your grandkids or send it to them and Skype while you both do the project together.

The blog to the site is:
http://blog.kiwicrate.com/

The site: http://www.kiwicrate.com/overview
This site has themed crates of arts , and science projects (with the supplies) for kids. It's delivered monthly for a fee. Go to the site and get more information if you are interested.

I love both of these sites and hope you all do as well. Enjoy!
Thank you Tim! 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Nature and wild life

Saturday morning at the Loft.
Waffles, tacos, great coffee, and play time with Jessica and the boys.
 Mr. Hollywood with a little cowboy theme. 
 Tootles came by to help Auntie Jenny move into her new" barndominium" - carriage house.
Sammy just finished sweeping up the floor taking a break... then
 Snack time. The boys are in 7th heaven when they visit Auntie Jenny in the woods. Lots of woods to explore and attic to play in, a barn to pretend and fire pit and always the attention of their Auntie Jenny. Golf cart rides and goats, donkeys, and it goes on and on. What kid wouldn't love it here. 
 Sneak peek into Jenny's new home.
Before the Arnold's left SA we went to Bass Pro as I posted below but found some more pictures.
 Malyn found the camp ground and a skunk!!!!
 Dennis was explaining all about hunting and the animals. Sutton was so interested most of the time. She kept calling the cougars and wild cats pup pup. 
 She never expected to free load her visit. She did her job pushing the cart around as much as she could.
 Look what the girls caught.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Quick look at some of the activities over the holidays.

Dec. 17 was our Christmas with all the family. All boys must wear strips! :)
Malyn painting her ceramic dinos. So intense this little artist.
 Reading is always a favorite. 
 I don't have a picture but Mattie Sue is reading now. Chapter books! 
 We have best buds here! They had so much fun together.
Ryan and Sammy waiting while their dad put the trampoline together. It was a hit with this family.
Jumpin Soupie!
 And they all fall down..
 but get right back up and jump till they drop again. Lots of laughter was had by all. Great for the parents. Zip them in and watch them.
 Eventually we decided two at a time. Sammy and Eli did great bouncing for their 10 minute time.
HELPERS
OOPS Lola! Sammy Samerton to the rescue.
 We put the kids to work as the sun set. Eli and Sammy were young enough to fall for the "want to help clean up?"
 They took a break to swing and talk over the day. Sammy, "So you having fun here Eli?"
" You bet Sammy, lets jump again."
 Eli was a big help to Poppy taking down the tree. (actually Boo helped and made it all go so much faster) Thanks Boo.
 Boo and Chesley went to Jenny's new carriage house to help her fix it up. Boo painted and Chesley put the frame work up. Looking good Jenny.
Off to Bass Pro with Nama. Malyn got a bird and Mattie Sue got kettle corn. They loved the animals and aquarium and seeing Sutton there with Dennis and Cindy. 
 Auntie Jenny and Eli the blue eyed babes shopping.
 My most precious daughters!
 Lots of car rides to and from many places. 
Hummm does this picture tell a story?
 Auntie Jenny and Sammy.
This about sums up the two weeks. Lots of laughter and fun loving memories.
Thank you God for my family.
If you're good in the Fiesta Store and don't touch anything we'll buy you a Christmas Cookie. We didn't want to wear out Elfe's name.
 Christmas morning. Eli was Santa's helper.
 Then we put Eli and Malyn in a box to try to hold them off until the rest of the family got here.
 Stocking were opened before family came and Malyn got a Parrot Puppet peeking out her stocking.
 THEY ARE HERE!!!! CAN WE OPEN THE PRESENTS NOW!