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Thursday, June 28, 2012

That Summer Feeling

June 20th marked the first day of summer! Summertime might mean vacations, playing on the beach, long days in the pool, or family barbecues.  This week our family has been enjoying the carnival put on every year by the local fire hall. A little birch beer, a few apple fritters, and a ride on the Ferris wheel have always made our summers special.  Perhaps nothing says summertime, though, like a big juicy slice of watermelon and an ear of buttery corn on the cob.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Our Cookie Grandma

When our kids were growing up, my mother in law always made a point of mailing them a box of homemade cookies along with their birthday card and cash. She sent $1 for each year of their age, a tradition she still continues for our younger children. Our kids called her the "Cookie Grandma". Because we live 3 thousand miles away and haven't been able to visit often with her, she wanted our children to know who she was and not get her mixed up with their other Grandma. She sent a photo of herself with "Cookie Grandma" written on it that I taped to our kitchen wall and which hung there for many years. Here is a picture of one of our kids, all grown up, visiting my mother in law at the house where all those cookies were baked. Now, cupcakes are all the rage, so in honor of our Cookie Grandma I have made a series of "Cupcake Grandma" aprons and shirts for all those Grandmas out there who love to bake cupcakes and cookies for their grandkids.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Grandpas Are Great

Any kid can tell you, having a Grandpa is great. He lets you climb on his back, he lets you eat ice cream before dinner, he makes the best forts out of blankets and chairs and always lets you stay up as late as you want when you visit him. Grandkids often have special nicknames for their grandparents. Whether you call your Grandpa Gramps, Nonno, Opa, Abuelo or PopPop, it's a great idea to remember him in a special way on Father's Day.

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