Last week, as I was headed from the parking lot to my apartment, I noticed an adorable one-year-old tot climbing down the stairs from the second story, with no adult anywhere to be seen. Happily prattling away, she seemed quite unconcerned with the fact that she was all alone and getting ever closer to the parking lot where cars do tend to come around corners a tad faster than I might like.

I walked up the stairs to meet her and asked, “Hi Honey, where’s your mommy or daddy? She smiled at me cheerfully then looked up the stairs. I noticed an open door to the first apartment and took her hand, walking carefully up the stairs with her. When I got there, I could hear people talking normally. Having heard a little one’s voice from their apartment in the past, I nicely hollered out, “Hi, Is this your little one?”

Immediately the voices changed to sharp concern, and the mom cried out, “Nina, did you open the door?” She came running to the door, grabbed her precious daughter and hugged her close. It turned out Nina had figured out how to open the door to the apartment all on her own and left with no one noticing!

Her mom and I are very grateful for God sending me there just at that moment! Sadly, there are many news stories out right now of children injured or killed because there wasn’t someone at that moment.

As grandparents, it is so vital for us to be extra vigilant as we care for these precious little gifts from God. Right now, there is a grandfather and grandchild who desperately need our prayers. His little four-year-old grandson somehow got out on the lawn where the grandpa was mowing on his riding mower. Grandpa accidentally backed up onto the child who is now in the hospital in critical care! It’s a miracle he is still alive and only time will tell if he will ever totally heal. I can’t begin to imagine what that poor grandfather and his whole family are going through right now. It’s got to be a grandparent’s worst nightmare!

God never promised we wouldn’t have problems. In fact, He actually said we would have tribulation in this world! But He has promised never to leave us or forsake us! I cling to those promises while checking and double-checking and triple checking myself. Even so, as grandparents we are not only human, we are older than when we were parents. That means our reflexes do tend to be a bit slower. Fortunately, we are also a bit wiser so most of the time it tends to even out well. 

However, all of us need to remember to keep a close eye out, a close ear open, and do a lot of praying to keep these precious grandkids safe and sound to the best of our ability. I put this into practice to the max last week when I took my grandkids on a field trip as part of their home schooling program. I was counting heads non-stop, just like I used to do when my kids were young.  We did great, had a lovely time, and all came home safe and sound. But I do believe I was a bit more tired than I used to get.    Better extra tired though, and extra safe! So have fun, stay safe, and do, please, pray for that grandpa and his family!

What do you do when all the grandkids come to visit you at your small apartment for a couple of days, the rain is pouring, and the “natives are getting restless?” We love to head for Chuck E. Cheese.

I’m not going to tell you it’s the cheapest grandkid date in town. McDonald’s and Chick-Fil-A are cheaper, and they are high on my list as well!

Chuck E. Cheese, however, combines the climbing fun of a McDonald’s playland and the game-playing fun of an arcade. It even has a hint of the ride fun of Disneyland, all wrapped up into one great mouse-hugging time for grandma and grandkids. And if you compare the cost of a date there to one to the big D (Disneyland), it is quite cheap!

One of the best things about them is their focus on safety. Each person gets their hand stamped with a special matching stamp for their whole group. Now mind you, I still do count heads constantly. That’s just who I am. But I also can sit and nibble carrots from the fresh salad bar, while they have fun playing games and accumulating tickets to buy the extremely cheap, yet immensely satisfying little toys. Not only that, when they run out of tokens, they’ve got an awesome playland-style climbing gym that’s wonderfully free.

Some of my best tips for a fun time there:

• Go Monday – Friday between 10-12 in the morning. It’s usually fairly empty. Even if a day care group or a mom’s group comes, it’s still not that crowded. (When schools are out, that may change a bit. You could call in advance to see if there are a lot of events scheduled.)
  
• If you help with your grandkids’ home schooling program, it’s a great place to go to as a reward for a month of hard work and good behavior; learning something extra-difficult like all their times tables, or maybe even a get-together for the whole home school group to compare notes, plan for the year, and socialize while the kids play.
• Pick a table on the end in the center (I try to get the same one each time) and put something they will easily recognize as yours on it . I always tell them if they can’t find me and need me, go find our table and stand on the seat and wave til I spot them. We’ve only needed that twice but it worked great both times.
• Air Hockey is wonderful for almost all ages . And it really makes the 25 cent tokens last a long time. On the other hand, the games where they just put in a quarter to see if it lands somewhere they want EAT those quarters faster than you can say “Grandma, can I have more tokens!” I’ve started limiting those to just a couple, even if they do pay out in lots of tickets!
• Our Chuck E. Cheese has a fun car ride that takes a picture of them while they ride . Sometimes I stand behind them to get my pix with each of them. It makes a fun addition to the photo album.
• If all your little ones are younger, you’ll be happy to know that they have a semi-enclosed tot’s section as well. Mine includes tables so we can eat right there and keep a closer eye on them.
• One caveat – it is rarely quiet . If noise bothers you, go as close to opening as you can, when it will be about the quietest.
• If you have a grandkid who is scared of larger-than-life dressed up characters, like you often see at Disneyland, be forewarned. A giant mouse by the name of Chuck E. Cheese does wander around. While most of our grandkids will absolutely love him, it’s good to know in advance if you have a shy one.
• If you go to the Chuck E Cheese website , you can sign up to get free email with lots of great token and pizza deals. They also have a variety of token and pizza deals when you get there.

Whatever the age, Chuck E. Cheese is a fun place for the grandkids AND the grandparents . We always have a blast inside, even if it’s raining outside! And the pizza is yummy too!

For more articles about family fun, from more tips for traveling with grandkids to frugal shopping tips for grandkids , visit FamilyFriday at HomemakerBarbi .

Where can you go to find out about great education programs, fun games to play with the grandkids, information about Alzheimer’s Disease, fun contests, and so much more – all geared for the Sandwich Generation? Why, to SandwichINK’s Monday Micro-Blog tips and tweets, of course

But first, I want to begin with a big THANK YOU on this Memorial Day, to all our brave soldiers everywhere, and to all those who have given their life for us and for this nation. THANK YOU for your time, your service, and your protection. We appreciate you more than you will ever know!

Resources for Grandkids – for play and for their homeschool program:

• Gary Olltwit is a former IT teacher, homeschooler and educator who has a wonderful website with over 100 free educational programs . Another great resource for your homeschooling program.
• A great resource for fun activities for home and for your homeschooling program is the Family Friday post at Homemaker Barbi . There you will find fun ideas from Barbi, along with posts from other writers with plenty more ideas. It makes a great resource for grandparents, especially those who are helping with the homeschooling program
• Fun Crayola Fireworks show for you and your grandkids to enjoy
• Check out this Homeschool Freebie From Legos.
• I used to love to spend the whole summer running around barefoot. Arthritis won’t let me do that anymore, but I have some grandkids who love to do it too.Nowadays we need to watch them a little closer when they do, as Mommy Babble explains.
• Encouragement: You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for Your words are ever before me.
  
• Finally, here are a couple of cute and educational videos our grandkids might enjoy. Could be a great addition to your family’s homeschooling program!

Here’s the Alphabet ABCs:

And here’s the alphabet by their sounds:

Caregivers:

• Don’t forget, if you have a friend or relative using a walker or rolling walker, SandwichINK is giving away a special WalkerWonder banner for Fathers.
• Encouragement: Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart
• Viki Kind & Suzanne Holman present, “Keeping Sane, Healthy and Professional When Your Parent Has Alzheimers “ , at BlogTalkRadio.
• My Battle With Alzheimers by author Barry Hines, is a very interesting and bittersweet article.
• New Old Age features an article discussing an easier email option for the older generation, Easier E-Mail for the Older Generation.
  
• The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Alzheimer’s Communication Tip — Touching Foreheads was such a sweet article about touch making such a difference in an Alzheimer’s Patient.
• Interesting possibilities for Alzheimer’s Disease . Researchers link cocoa flavanols to improved brain blood flow.
• Traumatic Brain Injury and the Elderly by Seniors For Living.
• Encouragement – The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

Sandwich Generation Hints, Helps, and Tips

• Fall TV Show Updates
• Did you know that a membership in AARP saves you 10% off most books and and a whopping 35% off selected titles at Borders every day!
• I’ve found that high quality tennis shoes make for more comfortable feet even when you have arthritis in them. Peanut Butter and Smelly’s Dad is giving away a pair of  New Balance Tennies that look like they will work great. I’ve entered to find out. Care to join me? 
• Do you have an iPhone and love country clipart? Trinas Country Clipart has really cute Country iPhone wallpaper.
• Creating a Collage Using Gimp.
• Seniors Tutor Kids Through the Experience Corps – a simple way to stay and feel young at heart!
• Remember the fun sayings like “the cat’s meow” and “the bee’s knees” ? How about “bright as a penny” and “Johnny come lately.” Read more fun Old Time Sayings at Franks Senior News.
• Just a reminder, if you have the grandkids today, Friday’s article was all about Memorial Day Fun With Grandkids

I would like to end this post, on Memorial Day 2009, with another BIG THANK YOU to all our brave service men and women AND their spouses and kids AND their extended family who sacrifice their being close to home in order for them to serve and protect our nation! THANK YOU, too, to those families who have lost a beloved to the sorrows of war for the sake of our nation and its safety!  THANK YOU! GOD BLESS YOU!

What is your favorite season? Mine is Autumn. It officially starts tomorrow and I can’t wait! I love the cool crisp days and nights. I love the crunchy leaves. I love the sights and sounds and fun times. I love decorating for Harvest Time. I loved it as a newlywed. I loved it when my kids were young. And I love it as a Baby Boomer Generation caregiver. I just plain love Autumn.

I am thrilled that my grandkids all love it as well! Sharing our traditions with them and learning the new traditions they have started is all part of the heritage we are creating for our families.

When my children were young, we collected leaves and put them around the house while singing fall songs together. These were songs I had made up and set to Christmas song tunes.

Some of that has changed – we don’t usually bring the leaves into the house anymore (I have developed allergies). But we love to crunch in them outside and watch as the wind swirls them around for a lovely “Autumn Ballet.” I love to share that imagery with my long-distance grandkids as we enjoy talking about the leaves dancing outside.

When we are discussing our “Autumn Ballet,” it is a great time to talk about God. It provides a powerful picture of Him and how He works in our lives. We may not be able to see the wind, but we see it ruffling the leaves in the trees, carrying them around in the air and skittering them around on the ground. We may not be able to see God, but we see His power at work in our lives when we pray and He answers, when we see Him protect us from an accident on the freeway, and when we read His Word and see it apply directly to our lives.

It’s fun finding autumn pictures for all the grandkids to enjoy coloring and decorating. I keep a close watch on Target’s $1 bin and the local Dollar stores for fun projects for Autumn, Thanksgiving, and harvest time. Last year Target had turkey sticker projects, autumn picture frames to decorate, and Pin the Tail on the Turkey games. Needless to say, I scooped up plenty for all my grandkids. We can incorporate them in their home schooling program, as well as just having fun. These are memories we can all share and enjoy, right now and as they grow older.

Here are some Autumn Coloring Pages Fun for you to share with your grandkids. On a PC, you can right click on each picture, select COPY. Then open a program such as Word and select EDIT, PASTE. You can change the size by selecting the picture, press on the CTRL key with your left hand while pressing the left mouse key, and dragging. This will increase the size proportionally.

Do you like free? Do you like classical music? Do you like sharing with your grandkids, kids, and/or senior family members/friends? For that matter, would you enjoy a bit of a “Sandwich Break” listening to some great music? Then I have a deal for you! Well actually, a company called Munchkin has a deal for you – along with some great products for babies and toddlers. If you click on free classical music for caregivers, you will wind up on a page where they are offering free downloads of two classical “Music Soup” albums. The Mozart Wombsong collection includes about 33 pieces while the Mozart for Toddlers collection has 24.

The albums are geared towards grandkids who are babies and toddlers and songs are selected around their wake up times, play times, and sleepy times. This being said, I listened to the first album and found them quite delightful for anybody at any time. There was only one song I noticed that would be considered a child’s song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

This is also a wonderful resource for any of your grandkids involved in a home schooling program. For that matter, listening to classical music while doing any kind of homework is supposed to help a child’s brain work better.

If you’re wondering how I discovered this, I subscribe to a great ezine called About.Com Freebies and it’s written by Lee Seats. Definitely worth a look.

I think you’ll find this music a pleasure for young, old and in-between. As a member of the Baby Boomer Generation, I can certainly testify to the in-between.    On top of that, we’ve both discovered a new resource for grandbaby supplies and gifts. Enjoy!