We all need a some humor in our lives…it helps to keep us feeling younger…why not some grandparent humor?  My gift to you is a clip of Bill Crosby sharing stories about his parents. There are some things about parents that just don’t change over the generations, LOL!  Enjoy…

Grandparents, have you recently become a new grandparent? How exciting! Here is an idea I wish I had thought of when my grandchildren were born, but I may just do it for them on their next birthdays. When your new grandchild is born, write a letter expressing your joy, love, and hopes for your new grandchild. You can also include some family history and photos of ancestors. Don’t forget to label those photos! I have many old family photos without names. I’d love to know who they are. My grandparents passed away when I was very young, except for my Nana who never spoke of her very large family, and my parents are also gone for many years. I have no one to tell me who they are or any family stories. I regret that I don’t have the personal histories to pass down to my grandchildren.  All I have are some names of ancestors that I’ve found on genealogy sites and a little history I stumbled upon along the way. But, I digress. I’d like you to have this grandparent poem for a new baby to also include in your letter to your new grandbaby. (more…)

How Do You Get From Here to There?

How do you get from here to there?
Well, you first must believe you can
Let no one tell you differently~
It’s your life and it’s in your hands.

Then turn your dreams into your goals
And see what you need now
To satisfy the requirements:
The why, the where and how.

At first you’re overwhelmed, of course;
There’s so much for you to know.
But keep your faith, be strong and sure,
For you do have a way to go.

Take careful steps and do them right,
Take pride in each thing done.
Don’t look too far ahead of yourself,
Just that next step yet to come.

Before you know it you’ll be there,
Your dream will then be real.
And you’ll be standing where I am now,
Telling others how good it feels.

You’ll tell them not to quit themselves,
To have faith, though it’s hard to bear.
So they will know it can be done~
They, too, can get from here to there.

~ Jennings Michael Burch (more…)

We celebrate our GrandMothers on Mother’s Day in May and GrandFathers on Father’s Day in June. Words alone cannot express our love and respect for our grandparents. We should also express our feelings through the way we treat those we love, often - not just a few times a year. Set an example for your children and grandchildren ~ give something of yourself by helping your loved one, an elder neighbor, or friend with chores, shopping, or paperwork on a schedule they can count on. And, when you have time, take them out for lunch, a drive, or a show. If your loved one or friend, can’t get out easily, bring lunch, flowers, and a video and treat them to “in” events to brighten up their days. There are many grandparents living in nursing homes that don’t have visitors, even on special days. Contact a local nursing home or assisted living facility to get permission to visit.

Here are a few poems to celebrate our grandmothers and grandfathers: (more…)

Grandparents, remember reading those everlasting classic poems and tales to your children? Now you can enjoy them again! Grandparents and grandchildren reading together during quiet time helps create a closer bond, especially when they are shared favorite poems and stories. The children’s classic poems that I have chosen to share with grandparents and their grandchildren here at Nana’s Corner are ones that have been popular with young children through their span of over 150 years. They are fun and easy for children to visualize as they are read. We’ve read them to our children, and now we can enjoy them with our grandchildren, too! 

Tumbling
~Anonymous (circa 1745)

In jumping and tumbling
  We spend the whole day,
  Till night by arriving
  Has finished our play.

What then? One and all,
  There’s no more to be said,
  As we tumbled all day,
  So we tumble to bed. (more…)

I’ve been searching for more gifts for grandchildren to make for grandmother, grandma, nana, gammy, gamma, mema…or anyone thought of as “grandmother.”  A gift made with love and kisses from grandchildren is the best present for a grandmother. The following homemade gifts are ones that I, personally, would love to receive (hint, hint): Decorated Keepsake Box filled with Homemade Truffles and a Matching Flower Pot filled with a Flowering Plant. (more…)