Help for a Long Distance Grandma

My daughter in England shared this site with me just the other day. 

It is a wonderful resource for encouraging those of us who live far, far away 

from our growing families!

 

Long Distance Love

Here's the book that goes with it:

 

Grandloving.com 

 

Stars and Treasure

You're a treasure:
You're a star!
When you find out who you really are,
You will realize that each day of your life
Is designed to bring out the strength inside
That is yours when you lay hold of Love.

You're so young now,
At least it seems so
When I look across the years of our lives.
We both seek understanding, kindness and hope,
And we laugh and we cry
But you play more than I
And you dance the dance of the free.

     Stars and treasure, stars and treasure,
     Stars and treasure everywhere!
     Stars and treasure, stars and treasure:
     Look with the eyes of your heart.
     Yes, look with the eyes of your heart.


You're a treasure:
You're a star!
When you find out who you really are,
You'll give thanks for these days
-- all the pleasure and pain --
And your memories will shine as the jewels in the crown
That is yours when you lay hold of Love.

You'll be grown soon,
At least it seems so
As I look across the years of our lives.
You'll be out on your own, making choices unknown;
So take heed, child of mine, to these lessons in time
And keep dancing the dance of the free.


     Stars and treasure, stars and treasure,
     Stars and treasure everywhere!
     Stars and treasure, stars and treasure:
     Look with the eyes of your heart.
     Yes, look with the eyes of your heart.

We're together,
Look and see:
There are treasures and stars everywhere!
Some are hidden, some are showing,
Some are dark, some are glowing.
You were born for this hour, so rise up in the power
That is yours when you lay hold of Love.

(Originally sung and published in 1993 as a tribute
to the 1993 graduating class
of River Road Elementary in Eugene, Oregon)

Earth School for the Stars

There once was a Star Baby named Zee. When it was her time, she had been shot like an arrow from her True Home in the heavenlies to land among her brothers and sisters. They had been sent before her to the Earth School for the Stars, and a few had gathered to meet their new little sister.

Some of them were quite happy to see her arrive, immensely pleased in fact. Oooing and ahhhing, smiling at her and hugging her with delight. Others were not entirely sure they were comfortable around her. A few were downright jealous, and others were just plain mean. Then there were those who didn't care a whit, and just walked right on by.

What a mixed reception for this most important event! 

Zee was amazed 

-- but already she was learning her first lesson: 

Not everyone will like you, 

but there are some who will 

welcome you with open hearts and arms.

~ Check out these Star Baby Dolls ~

WE ARE

by Dee Dee Winter

EPHESIANS 1
Says we are . . .

Saints
Faithful
Blessed with all spiritual blessings
Chosen
Holy
Blameless
Predestined
Adopted as sons
Accepted in the Beloved
Redeemed
Forgiven
Lavished with His grace
To the praise of His glory
Saved
Sealed
Redeemed
Given faith and love

We have . . .

Knowledge of the mystery
Obtained an inheritance
A spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him
The eyes of our understanding enlightened
The riches of His glory

We are . . .

His body
Filled with His fullness (i.e. Him)

Milestones of Early Childhood

source

Look: The Ultimate Milestones Guide

Baby Milestones

Smiling (8 weeks)
Rolling over (2-3 months)
Grabbing (3-4 months)
Hugging (5 months)
Playing peekaboo (6 months)
Sitting up (8 months)
Crawling (6 to 10 months)
Pulling up (8 months)
Walking (10 to 18 months)


Toddler Milestones
Pushing and pulling (12 to 18 months)
Squatting (12 to 18 months)
Climbing (12 to 24 months)
Running (18 to 24 months)
Potty training (24 to 36 months)
Jumping (24 to 36 months)
Pre-reading (12 to 36 months)
- How books work
- we open them, the story is inside.
- We read from left to right.
- Books can tell a story.
- Stories have a beginning and an end.
Gaining independence (18 to 36 months)
- Getting dressed
- Doing chores
- Making friends
Using simple sentences (18 to 24 months)
Learning empathy (24 months)


BabyCenter.com:

Self Care Milestones

- Undressing

- Catching a sneeze

- Brushing the teeth

- Using the toilet

- Fixing food

In preschool, your child will learn to:
- Separate from you fairly easily, saying good-bye without too much fuss.
- Adjust to new situations, especially the school routine.
- Trust and take direction from teachers.
- Express emotions verbally to adults and other children ("I'm mad!" "I'm sad").
- Show independence and stand up for herself when facing conflict. (For example, she might ask another child to stop knocking down the tower of blocks she's building.)
- Follow classroom rules and routines, such as sitting quietly in a group, raising a hand before speaking, and helping to clean up after herself.
- Play well with other children and be willing to share.
- Recognize the feelings of others. For example, when someone asks, "How did Susie feel when she fell off the swing?" she will be able to say, "She was scared."
- Demonstrate a sense of humor, and be silly in an attempt to make other people laugh.
- Play with other children rather than just side by side.
- Enjoy playing "house".
- Help with chores, such as sweeping or putting toys and books away.
- Focus on one activity for 10 to 15 minutes (by age 4).

Note to self:

Toys for New Granddaughter

DOLLS and KITS

First doll - grasping + teething

Blueberry Forest

Kathe Kruse grabbing toy

Cotton Babies - Baby Toys

Toddler doll - 14", slightly weighted, lug-around "friend"

+ finger puppets

Kathe Kruse Sweetheart doll

Cotton Babies - Toddler Toys

Elementary age dolls - 10.5", removable clothing

Kathe Kruse Mini It's Me dolls

...more to come...

Success!

It is the favorable outcome of an action.
It is growth, development, improvement and getting better.
It is achieving what you have set out to do.
from:  Success Consciousness


Here is how I know someone is successful -- If you are able to give from your abundance then you are successful. If you are able to donate money, spread happiness, inspire health, propagate love, share knowledge, motivate people, etc. then you are successful.
from:  Fred Gratzon

Yes! 

According to these definitions, 

my first dolly attempt is successful!!!

Lil' firstborn grandchild is fascinated 

by its colors, floppy hair, and little face.

Yay!!!

  

First dolly attempt

In preparation to see my very first grandbaby, I've made a version of a "towel doll" -- not using a pattern, but following instructions to make a Waldorf doll head. The doll was designed using scraps of family history:

 Sweatshirt of my dad's, 

cut into strips and rolled into a ball for the head

 Turtleneck of my dad's, cut into a square 

and wrapped around the ball, then tied to make a neck

 Pink bandanna I used to wear when gardening

 Leftover yarn from other projects

Here is the result, a first-ever doll, and a labor of love:

Think she will like it?

  

Two Old Women

Beginning a new year, pondering the Earth School 

and its diverse coursework.

Here is a link to a delightful story of two elderly Native American women who made a difference. I read it a number of years ago, but it continues to resonate with me long after I returned my borrowed copy...

Two Old Women
by Velma Wallis

I continue to marvel at the ways 

adversity strengthens and mellows us...

if we survive!

source

The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever, 
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
--Psalm 33:11 WEB

Here is a link worth exploring:

Manataka Books

Dry Eggnog Mix Experiments

Branch of the tribe in Bristol, England 

is asking for powdered eggnog mix. 

source

Here are a couple of recipes to try...

Dry Eggnog Mix #1

3 qt. dry milk (4 cups)

2 pkg. egg custard pudding mix

6 oz. creamer

2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 c. sugar

Mix together and put into air tight container. To serve, put 1/2 c. into mug of hot water. This makes a nice gift jar item! ~ Kathy  from: Taste of Home community forum

Dry Eggnog Mix #2

Enjoy the creamy rich flavor of this highly anticipated Holiday Favorite, Eggnog. This simple make ahead eggnog mix recipe offers a hint of nutmeg and requires no cooking to prepare.

Egg Nog Mix:

1 (3 qt.) box of powdered milk

2 (3 oz.) boxes of vanilla instant pudding

1 (6 oz.) jar of dry coffee creamer, vanilla flavored or plain

2 Tbsp. nutmeg

Mix all ingredients until well combined. Store in an airtight container (or in jars for gift giving!).

Make your own Egg Nog:

2/3 cup egg nog mix

1 cup milk

1 cup ice cubes

1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

Combine mix, milk and ice cubes in blender until smooth, add 1 tsp vanilla extract. Garnish with whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg if desired. from: Budget 101

   

Since they don't have instant pudding mix readily available 

where they are, 

will see what I can come up with for them...

Here's a down-home company selling a mix:

Blessed Blends