Yes, it’s fun to help mix up the batter and lick the beaters, but the grandest thing is putting the plastic Gerbera daisy in the flower pot or scooping up the “chocolate” dirt. It’s okay that we get frosting all over our arms and face – Grandma doesn’t care, now does she?
TINKER and LINK
Downstairs the grand-kids find the ottoman/toy chest with classics like Lincoln Logs, just like sets from the 1960s but with added plastic gadgets. Tinkertoys – there is just no way to improve on Tinkertoys!
STACK
Do you have a deck of jumbo cards? If so, you are in business. Patrick and Curtis both learned the meaning of the expression “house of cards” as they tried to stack playing cards on a shaky foundation. Incredibly they persisted even after a collapse or two. Bryan Berg, who holds the world record for a 75-story card tower, can rest easy. Still, both boys couldn’t enjoy the challenge more, as Patrick illustrates:
FLICK
Their dad Cliff retooled this marble flick board from an old oaken desk in 1978 when Crista was 9 and Joel, 7. They both competed in “Flick the Marble,” trying to earn the higher number of points, best out of three! All four grandkids have since enjoyed the board. Even grand-nephew Noah and grand-niece Emily give it a whirl here.
WRITE with GRATITUDE
Back in February 2013, when “plain and fancy” launched, the theme of Grah-ti-Tood, announced my first blog post. The grandkids’ gratitude books were featured along with pictures Curtis and Ian had drawn. They are a year older now, and their thanksgiving continues. Sometimes reluctantly. But this time spontaneously, as conversation around the breakfast table last month moved around to things to be thankful for.
On October 25, 2014, Curtis is grateful for friends and thankful that the wars are not hurting me badly (Oh, my)! Ian says, “I am thankful that blueberry pancakes are the best!” Curtis’ illustrations are cartoon-like. Ian’s pancake is realistic with shading.
Each unique.
I am sure you thought of a game or activity to add to the assortment here. Suggestions, comments – it’s your turn!
Coming next: Moments of Discovery # 3: Two Butter Stories and an Autograph Book
Plain and Fancy 
What’s to improve on? They get to stay warm while eating cake with chocolate frosting, playing great games, and writing their thankful recollections – something wonderful to look back on. Great fun, Marian. 😉
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed this, Judy. And thanks for being the first “out of the gate” today, starting our conversation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wanna be your grandchild! Love the idea of the gratitude books (think what great memoir fodder they will be!). And that one about wars really touched me heart and made me think of all the children who can’t say the same.
LikeLike
Well, Shirley. We are visiting grand-child world simultaneously. I guess that’s the closest we’ll come to such a relationship – ha!
Curtis, who made the comment about war, has always had two channels of thinking: the adult and the “child” channel, so he is aware of world events. He often catches snippets of NPR when his dad listens. Oh, the collateral damage of war to “all the children who can’t say the same.” As always, I appreciate your thoughtful, compassionate comment, Shirley.
LikeLike
It looks like you and your grandsons had a wonderful time together! I always cooked and baked with my girls (still do when they’re home). I love the idea of the gratitude books–and agree with Shirley above about the war comment. Great fun that will become fond memories.
LikeLike
When I think of your kitchen, Merril, I imagine it filled with robust aromas and writing accoutrements with a friendly cat keeping company. (Maybe your muse?) I love your summary: Great fun that will become fond memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have imagined my kitchen perfectly, Marian. 🙂 There are still piles and piles of papers and books on the table though–just finished the documents section of the book last night!
LikeLike
Congrats! If you are keeping a checklist, you can tic the box for “documents section.” I admire your work ethic and the oeuvre that you have created, distinctively you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for still more ideas. I love the card stack. GS is with us for part of the weekend so will have to try. Like you said, it’s too cold to go out and stay outside. Love the “Beaman” game. It will be a treasure for future generations and stay intact since it’s one piece with only replacement marbles to acquire along the way. The gratitude journal is a wonderful idea.
LikeLike
Georgette, so glad this resonated with you and so timely too with GS with you this weekend. I’d like to know how it all goes as you make your own memories.
LikeLike
I identify with so much of this post! Baking with grandkids, playing games… I still have tinker toys, Lincoln logs, Checkers, and more. But in this day…old games are put, on the shelf. It’s kind of sad but my memories are sharp and clear! Thanks for taking me back again!
LikeLike
You’re welcome! I have picked up on your memories as “sharp and clear.” Beautifully stated. I’m glad this post jogged your thoughts – thanks always for being such a loyal reader, Anita.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sweet and cozy. Can I come too?
LikeLike
Oh, Joan, of course you can! We’d have a tea party too with play cups and saucers. 🙂
LikeLike
It has to be dressing up Marion . Get the trunk from the loft and let the little ones become anyone they want to .be. Your Grandchildren are adorable …what comments …they could rule the world with those comments
Cherryx
LikeLike
Playing dress up was such fun too, Cherry. Before Grandma Longenecker became a Mennonite she was fancy and had an beaver-skin hat with an ostrich plume. We’d dress up and be in another world. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
I love fall and winter, It’s a time for relaxing from summer running. I love playing games and baking cookies as big as their face for them to decorate and popping popcorn to watch a movie. Great time and memories. Your grandchild are so cute. What fun.
Gloria
LikeLike
You are good at the grand-mothering stuff too, Gloria. Thanks for adding your activities here.
LikeLike
Marian — I love that the chocolate frosting was edible “dirt!” I’ve never heard of “flick the marble” before, but now I’m enamored. And “writing with gratitude” put it over the top — my heart is full!
You asked for a game or activity to add to the assortment…
On days when school was out, dad was at work, and my little mom was left alone with two stinkers (my sister and I) who towered over height-wise her early on, she’d light a single taper candle and placing it on the dining room table she’d say:
“If there’s one grumble, one snipe at each other, one single negative action, I’m going to blow the candle out. If, however, the candle burns all the way down and goes on it’s own, we’ll make Rice Krispie treats.”
That’s all it took — we behaved to within an inch of our lives!
LikeLike
Such a cool woman, your mother: a candle with a built-in time limit. You learned delayed gratification early on. Now you are playing it forward for sure, Laurie.
LikeLike
Great ideas, Marian. Cold days and warm fun with grandchildren make a delightful combination. This reminds me not only of the types of things I’ve done with my own grandkids, but also the things my mother did with my daughter…and that brought back memories of the BIG Snow Storm when I was 7 and our cousins were stranded at our house. My mother took care of everyone for four days. Thanks for nudging these memories!
p.s. Bravo to the creator of the house of cards.
LikeLike
Memories knitted together with love -that’s what I read in your wonderful anecdotes. It’s interesting that you have a chain of events spanning the generations, evidence of a goodly heritage. Lucky you, Marylin. Lucky me too.
LikeLike
I can always count on a sweet family scene here. Thank you, Marian. Love the kids and what you do with them. Love that you let them make a mess. Beautiful memories for all of you. So much love. I miss my Aunt Fern’s Springerle Cookies–the ones we ate at my Grandma’s house at Christmas. I’ve tasted many since I was a kid, but none measure up.
Thank you for joy.
LikeLike
I wonder if your Aunt Fern used a pound of sugar as called for in the Mennonite Community Cookbook recipe. Springerle cookies also call for anise seed and oil, which your aunt probably used in just the right amount.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment during this busy time of your book launch. I’ll keep spreading the joy as you spread comfort and insight.
LikeLike
My eldest granddaughter used to like making bracelets and necklaces with the beads from my bead box. The little one never sat still long enough to make anything though.
LikeLike
Beads from Grandma’s box – the chain of memory continues. Thanks for your cute story, Marie.
LikeLike
At grandson Ian’s last birthday, grand daughter Jenna and I sat at a round picnic table outside. Since BBQing was part of the festivities I picked out several unused skewing sticks and let them fall on the table with almost silent little clinks. This was Jenna’s introduction to the game of pick-up sticks. She found it fascinating and with her skillful fingers she became very adept.
LikeLike
Sweet story – haven’t heard that one before. Thanks for sharing, Cliff.
LikeLike
What a wonderful grandma. I can’t wait to follow your example some day! 🙂
LikeLike
What a great compliment, Jenn. I’m glad this post inspired you as yours so often inspire me.
LikeLike
I could not help but notice the word “thank full”. How I miss my little nieces and nephew’s love letters to me those many years ago.
LikeLike
Thank you for the comment today!
LikeLike
So cute! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person