Camp Grandma

Angela is having her second baby in August. When Keagan was born there were complications and therefore her doctor is requiring a C-section this time. So I am setting up "Camp Grandma" for Keagan while Mommy is in the hospital and afterwards when baby Hudson comes home. As I was planning out "Camp Grandma", I thought there might be some ideas here you could adapt for your family. Here's what Keagan (who just turned 2) and I will be doing this August in Cherry Hill at "Camp Grandma".

• Make breakfast a fun time by putting smiley faces on our toast or with our fruit, squeezing our own juice, making pancakes or making "silly cereal".

• Getting our chores done by making it a time to learn and practice practical life skills such as: clean up, washing dishes, pouring, spooning, preparing food, sweeping, dusting, folding clothes, getting groceries, setting the table, watering the plants, making the beds, etc.

Little children love to help! It's not work for them, so we'll do all those activities together.

• We'll bake some bread and cookies, and on the day Daddy brings Mommy and baby Hudson home we'll make a special "Welcome Home Cake" and dinner. The important thing is that we'll do it together. We'll paint pictures for them also.

• I want my grandchildren to love gardening like I do and so part of our day will be spent working in our garden. We'll learn about flowers and vegetables, and how to take care of our garden.

• We'll do lots of reading because we love books! We'll plan some trips to the library. (It's important to check out the services that your local library provides for children...and they're free!)

• We'll take walks and check things out such as bugs and birds. And yes, we'll take in the park while we're at it.

• Museums are wonderful places, and many have a "free day" or reduced prices. There's an excellent "hands-on" museum that Keagan loves.

• Music soothes the heart and soul for all ages. Expose children to all different kinds of music. I turn on Bach or Beethoven and we blow bubbles. Or we play jazz and move to the beat. Sometimes we simply lie on the blanket outside listening to soft music and watch the clouds. And of course, sing all the fun songs as well. If your children are old enough, teach them to play instruments. As an added bonus, music develops both side of the brain and kids get smarter!

• We'll paint, do clay and experience as many art mediums as a young two year old would like to create with.

• Rainy days are a perfect time to make tents inside the house. Take sheets and drape them over the tables and furniture. Older children get really creative with tunnels and secret places. For those children you can turn off the lights and bring out the flashlights. Great fun!

• There's puzzles, games, and "hands on" activities for all ages.

• We'll go swimming because Grandma loves for all the grandchildren to know how to swim. I guess that's a carryover from my years working at the pool teaching swimming lessons. I love to swim!

• And of course, we'll play with our toys and in the yard. Playing is fun!

Did you notice that we aren't watching television, movies, playing video games, texting, or computer games? Well of course, Keagan is too young. But I want the rule at Camp Grandma in future years to always be...Nothing Electronic! None of my grandchildren are teenagers yet, but I really want to stick to this commitment.

In any event, we'll have lots of fun. Every time I think of an idea, I drop it into my Camp Grandma suitcase. Enjoy your children and grandchildren...we have them for such a short season.