Grandma Shelley Interviewed by the LA Times?

Crazy but true! I was recently contacted by the LA Times about the grandkid camps I do for my grandchildren. They say it is a growing trend among grandparents and they wanted ME to share what my grandkid camps are all about.

I had a telephone interview yesterday and the journalist interviewing me asked some great questions. She was also very familiar with this blog where she can also pull information about my grandkid camps.

I LOVE being a grandma and I LOVE creating memories with my grandchildren. I also LOVE event planning! Creating, brainstorming, planning, organizing, and presenting any event is "my thing". I thrive in all of the little details and in all of the special little touches.

My Grandkid's camps and many of the other things I plan for my grandchildren and family provide an avenue to do what I love. When the events I plan include my children and grandchildren the joy I find in the process is greatly magnified.

I have been a grandma for nearly 10 years and the number of "events" that I have planned for my family and grandchildren is unknown. What is known is that I am very blessed with a very close family. They all support and participate in our family events. My grandchildren are not just cousins and my children are not just siblings, but they are also all very good friends which is very important to me too.

Being recognized by the outside world for what I refer to as my "Grandma Style" is a great feeling. What I do as a grandma comes very natural to me and I enjoy sharing with and maybe even inspiring other grandparents through this blog to find the same joy that I have found in being a grandma! I am thrilled when I learn that other grandparents have used my ideas to enrich the lives of their grandchildren and when they have created their very own memories with their grandchildren.

The article will be printed in the LA Times and on line this month. I will keep you posted!

Five Day Family Retreat in the Pines

I am happy to report that we have pulled off a very successful five day family retreat in the Pines. It all started with a well planned schedule and individual assignments that every family member had received well in advance. Some of the assignments included meal preparations and clean up, Thanksgiving Day food assignments, activities for the kids, evening activities for the entire group, evening treats, fire building assignments, quiet bedtime activities for the kids, and even household chores. Each adult was responsible for their household chores for the entire stay. It worked like a charm!

Some of the chores included: the trash, laundry, bathrooms, floors, keeping the water cooler filled with cold water, living room and kitchen pick up and cleaning, and the windows. With 18 little hands the windows needed frequent cleaning! We also had a couple of dads that arranged for our nighttime bedding needs and the morning bedding clean up for the kids. Our formal dining area served as a sleeping area for the older children by night and adult dining by day.

As the families began to roll in on Wednesday night our mountain home became filled with nine excited children and ten adults ready to share in some great family time. Bedrooms were assigned per family and space had been provided in the pantry and kitchen for their food and cooking supplies. I had a meal prepared for everyone and after dinner the kitchen became the hub for Thanksgiving baking.

To keep the children busy we had morning and afternoon activities scheduled each day. Each set of parents were assigned specific activity times. This gave the other parents 1 1/2 hours of kid free time both morning and afternoon. The adults did a wonderful job and they all arrived very prepared and very organized with projects and activities that the kids loved. (I will be posting pictures and sharing the projects and activities soon.)

On Thanksgiving day it was fun to all work together in the kitchen to prepare our Thanksgiving Feast. One of my daughters had the assignment to do the table decor. The adult table was beautiful and the kids table was fun and filled with fun activities for them to do before and after dinner. (I will post pics later.)

The next day we had a block of time scheduled for our individual families. Everyone left the cabin and went out to lunch and to do their own family activities. When one of the children was asked what they wanted to do during their family time he said; "Go out for a quick bite to eat and then back to the cabin!" It was very clear that we were doing something right!

A family activity was planned for each evening that both young and old could participate in. The kids loved playing games with the adults. On Friday evening after dinner a couple of the dads left with all of the kids on a car ride to go look for Elk. While they were gone the remaining adults worked to decorate the house for Christmas. When they returned we greeted them with a Ho...Ho....Ho....Merry Christmas. The inside of the house had been transformed to kick off our Lamont Family Ho....Ho....Ho...lidays. The house was lit up, and we had Christmas music playing. Papa and I had a small gift under the tree for each of the children. Each gift had a personal invitation to the "GrandKid's Christmas Day Camp" the next day.

Since they had arrived I had a sign on my bedroom door that read "Grandma's Christmas Workshop, No kids allowed" There imaginations were going crazy with what I might have going on in my workshop. Within my workshop were all of the activities and the supplies needed for the day camp and the Christmas decor that we used to decorate the house.

On Saturday, after breakfast the parents got ready to go have some adult time in town. The kids watched the clock. They were anxious for both the parents to leave and for our Christmas Day Camp to start. (I will post this years camp schedule and activities later.) The day camp went well and we even had a very welcome surprise for all of us that added to the fun.

The Saturday evening bedtime activities included a reading of the Polar Express book in a dark room using only a flashlight to shine on the book. The following morning there were more activities for the kids and after lunch we had a viewing of the Polar Express movie. We served the children Popcorn and m&m's during the movie in fun Christmas bags.

Whiles the kids watched the movie one of my daughters had the assignment to prepare sack lunches for dinner. Preparations and packing were done by those families who were leaving that night. Following the movie all of the kids put on their pajamas and got ready to go on the Polar Express Train Ride. Our sack lunches were eaten before boarding the train. (My daughter had done some fun things in the lunches which I will share later.) All nineteen of us boarded the Polar Express that evening. The children were delighted to see the North Pole and to see Santa when he boarded the train. For the adults....seeing the children's joy filled us with joy too!

Although we see one another all of the time this retreat served as a family reunion of sorts. We all worked together well and everyone did their part so that everyone enjoyed their time together. Most importantly, quality time was spent together as a family, family bonds were strengthened, and lasting memories were created for all four generations that shared this special time together!

Planning Ahead for Grandkids Christmas Day Camp 2009

I have been checking out many of the after Christmas sales for anything that inspires a craft, a project, or an activity for next years all day Grandkids Christmas Day Camp. I have come across some great things at some really fair prices. When I find great buys that inspire a craft I have to be able to get ten of whatever so that each child gets one and I have one to make up the sample project ahead of time.

I am really excited about some of my finds knowing the excitement they will generate among my little day camp guests next year. I can't post my finds because I have grandchildren that read my blog and the Christmas day camp projects are always kept as a big surprise for them.

I have started filling in the slots in next years schedule so that I can keep a watchful eye out for items needed to complete the projects throughout the year. When I pick up the needed items throughout the year they go into my Christmas Day Camp Trunk and become Grandma Treasures to be kept safe until I pull them out to create more cherished Christmas memories with my grandchildren!

Each year it gets a bit easier to fill the twelve hour  schedule when I discover activities that really work well. Those things become Christmas Day Camp Traditions that will stay on the schedule for as long as the kids continue to enjoy them. This year we added the Christmas Candy Walk which will be a keeper on next years schedule.  The Candy Walk is an outdoor activity because Arizona weather allows that in December. It is the same concept as a cake walk. I have a past posting on the details of the Candy Walk if you are interested in how it works. My star cupcake activity will also be tweaked next year since I found some adorable Christmas cupcake designs that I know the kids will love creating!

As you can see this Christmas tradition that I have with my grandchildren is something I love to do as a grandma. I find joy in the preparations for the next one all year long!

Last Year Hanging on Our Christmas Tree

This ornament along with many others will be packed up in their own special box this year. My youngest daughter is engaged and is planning to be  married next summer. She will be taking the ornaments from our tree that she has made and collected since she was born to start her own family collection.

She made this ornament when she was in preschool and it has been hanging on our tree for many years. Her very first ornament was collected at just three months old.

All of our ornaments are very special to us and the memories of each of them bring us  so much joy each year as we unpack them and hang them on our tree. It is a bit sad to think that all of the handmade ornaments that my children have made over the last 32 years will all be gone next Christmas. 

It is however fun to see them bringing joy to the next generation in their own homes where they are all starting their very own family Christmas  traditions and memories.

Snowman fridge magnet craft

This is a simple craft project for kids to make.  They can use them to show off their artwork on the fridge through the holidays. They are made from a large craft stick covered in white yarn. Felt scraps were cut to create their faces, hats, buttons, and scarfs. Self sticking sheets of magnet were cut to fit the back.

Christmas Hunt Activity 2008

The children loved this activity. It was much like an Easter egg hunt but using two dozen small Christmas drums I had purchased at the dollar store. Each child had a turn hiding the drums while the other children stayed in the back hall. We started from youngest to oldest this time.

When it was your turn you got to wear the reindeer antlers to add to the Christmas theme of the day. When the child was done hiding all of the drums they went to get the rest of the children for the hunt.

If they were having trouble finding one or two of the hidden drums we just went on to the next child and hoped we found them the next time. One proved to be especially hard and was found very late in the day by one of the children. It was a very EXCITING find!

Light Strand Craft

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This is a strand of lights that the children have seen several times to add some festive color at family celebrations. I turned the light strand into a custom Christmas craft project for the children.

I cut paper plates so that they could be easily shaped into a shade for the light strand. The children each decorated their paper plates and wrote their names on them. We then stapled them on the light strand to create a craft that each child had a part in making.

Following the project everyone got on their shoes and jackets and the new light strand was strung outdoors to be enjoyed during our campfire Christmas Caroling activity.

The light strand now hangs over a mirror in the grandkid's toy room at grandmas house to be enjoyed the entire holiday season!

Christmas Day Camp Snack Time

Eating at the day camp is an activity in itself. We have multiple snack times in our schedule throughout the day. Being well organized by having the snacks ready to serve ahead of time really helps. This was a simple snack of a variety of crackers and apple juice.

Later in the day we had a snack of cheese, apple slices, and crackers. Evidently doing crafts and playing with your cousins works up quite an appetite!

Christmas Day Camp Dinner & Dessert 2008

It is a tradition to have take out pizza for dinner. As the day is winding down, easy clean up is just what we need. The pizza is served on Christmas plates and their holiday cups are filled with their choice of drink.

The star cupcakes they made earlier in the day have been waiting to be their dinner dessert! The children choose one of their cupcakes to eat and they save the other to take home.

Christmas Stocking Craft 2008

This is an example of something I found after Christmas last year for a real steal and created a craft to use them at this years day camp. We adorned the colorful and cute stockings using the stocking as our pattern.

The top photo shows the before and after pictures of the stocking craft.

We added a band of cotton balls at the top of the stocking.

Red beads for the berries.

A silk leaf.

A velvet bow.

Fabric toes and heels to the stocking.

Fun Christmas stickers to the centers of the stars.

Their name on the opposite side along the top of the stocking.

This was a very simple project that they were all very proud of when they were finished!

Water Color Christmas Decoration

I made copies of this cute coloring page ornament on card stock. I supplied the children with water colors. Some chose to use crayons. Each painted or colored their custom color ornament. We cut them out, punched a whole in the top, and tied a ribbon on for hanging.

Santa Boot Ornament & Coloring Page

This was a two part activity. The Santa boot ornament was made from a plastic candy box. I had dehydrated the marshmallows to use for the white fluff around the top of Santa's boot. The children glued the row of marshmallows around the top of the boot. They then added a green ribbon for hanging. ( I forgot to take pictures during this craft.)

The coloring page was a picture I found online for free. It was just perfect and the kids had fun coloring Santa putting on his boots.

Christmas Candy Walk Activity

This activity was a new one at this years Christmas day camp. It was a variation to the old fashion carnival cake walk. I had a bowl filled with candy and prizes. I gave each child an empty goodie bag. The squares of our outdoor courtyard were labeled with Christmas pictures. (two each of a gingerbread man, reindeer, Santa, and a holiday penguin.) We moved around the circle until the Christmas music stopped. Everyone stopped on a block and I drew a matching card from a bag and yelled out the winning picture. It was thrilling for them every time they won a prize. They did not tire of the game and we played until all of the candy and prizes had been won.

Variation: I would yell to change directions, hop, skip, or twirl. They thought that was fun too!

Christmas Day Camp Schedule 2008

I post the day camp schedule on the fridge to keep me on track during the day. The little readers among us make sure we stay on schedule too!

The True Meaning of Christmas Book

This is something I created to reinforce the true meaning of Christmas with my grandchildren. I read this simple book to the kids then each child created their own copy.

I bound the books by using a piece of card stock on the outside, and plain paper on the inside. I folded it in half to create the number of pages needed. It is stapled along the top and bound with white duct tape to cover the staples.

I cut all of the pieces out ahead of time, numbered the pages, and I gave the kids the picture and the text one page at a time. Each child had their own glue stick to glue the pieces in place.

Those children that can't read yet can use the pictures to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas.

Very Own Christmas Cup

I supplied these Christmas cups at the grandkid's Christmas day camp. I wrote all of the kids names on them. I have kept them at my home to be used during the holidays to save on dishes, spills, and germs being passed along from not remembering who's cup is who's!

They have already gotten a lot of use and the kids look forward to taking them home on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Picture Frame Craft 2008

These festive frames were created using a red foam frame purchased from the dollar store. I cut the tissue paper (red, green, Christmas striped, red dotted) into 1 1/2 inch squares. I gave each child a baggie with equal amounts of each color. Papa had made each child a tool to use to simplify the process for the children. Papa inserted and glued pencils into a block of wood to give the children a sturdy base to work on.

The small squares of tissue paper were twisted over the top of the eraser then dipped in glue on the flat edge created from the eraser end before sticking it to the frame. Each child had a small shallow lid of some sort with glue in it for the dipping. The children continued the process creating their own pattern or design until they had gone all the way around the frame.

Each child chose the background color and the Christmas tag design. They glued the tag in place and put the backing on the frame to finish their project.

They turned out cute don't you think?

Star Christmas Cupcakes 2008

Decorating star cupcakes is a tradition at our Grandkid's Day Camp. This year I supplied each child with two pre-baked chocolate cupcakes, a small dish of bright yellow icing and a baggie filled with marshmallows in the shapes of green Christmas trees, and pink stars. I also gave them red and green M&M's.

I had made up some sample cupcakes for them to see. They each showed their own creativity in the fun and colorful designs they created. Each child had a paper towel on the kitchen counter with their name on it. When they were done decorating their cupcakes they placed them on their paper towel.

They eat one of their cupcakes after dinner and the other is saved to take home.

Star on a Stick Craft Project

I knew this project would be a favorite. In years past we have had just one star on a stick which is part of our hands on nativity. The kids all loved the star so this year each child made their very own.

The little guy above is being helped by his great grandma who spent the day with us too.

I cut the stars out of cardboard ahead of time. The sticks were heavy gift wrap rolls that I had saved from last Christmas. Before starting the project we spread newspaper over the table and had the children roll their sleeves up. We gave each child a sponge brush and their own little pot of paint. We first painted the edges then just one side of the star.

It took about three coats of paint to get good coverage. We allowed the stars to dry. I attached the stars to the sticks using hot glue. Shiny ribbon was added for some extra sparkle.

Tip: When doing messy or sticky projects keep a tub of baby wipes nearby for spills and sticky little hands.

Christmas Day Camp Picnic 2008

It turned out to be a perfect day for an outdoor picnic in Arizona. It was sunny, grass was still green, and the outdoor temperature was just right. Blankets were spread and hungry tummies were filled with the sack lunches they had prepared all by themselves.

After lunch we stayed outdoors for a while and played some games in the grass. We did a Christmas stocking relay and we played drop the hankie using a Christmas scarf.