Squishy, squooshy, funky FUN! That was the conclusion of my three grandsons as we all enjoyed their Magic NUUDLES. And after test driving the EnviroBlox last year and the Magic NUUDLES this year, our verdict was – they are BOTH just as much fun! And creatively inspirational! And cool to squish around. Great for all grandkids, and very good activities for autistic children or those dealing with sensory integration disorder issues as well! 

One had fun with several small alien creatures.

Another went for wild and crazy sea animals.

And the third chose to build a sci-fi space ship complete with cannon.

We brought out cups of water and dipped the enclosed sponge in  the water. Then they just touched the blocks to the sponge to get it damp and linked up the pieces. They had so much fun and are looking forward to doing it again tomorrow when I will be babysitting these sweet grandchildren.

This afternoon, while driving my grandteen and a friend to church, they discovered the bags in the car. "How cool," they exclaimed and started in as we drove. Oddly, the easy to use digital camera in my iPhone doesn't show the true color of this – it was actually a pink flower that my granddaughter made for me specifically for PINK SATURDAY!      

Definitely fun for activities for grandparents and their grandchildren! AND since Hobby Lobby, where I got these, and Amazon which also carries them, are both favorite and practical ways to save money on craft activities for grandparents and grandchildren, I'm also linking up for Thrifty Things Friday. Join us, won't you.  

Kaye

SENIOR HOME CARE GIVING

“I Still Do: Loving and Living With Alzheimer’s.” A new book by the wife of an Alzheimer’s patient was written by Judith Fox and featured in Richmond Magazine.

Deep brain stimulation, developed for those with Parkinson’s symptoms, eases tics in Tourette’s syndrome.  Per @ParkinsonsInfo

Alzheimer’s Association Comfort Zone is a new Web-based GPS location management service that can help families
stay active. Thanks to @Caregiving for the info!

A great article by Wisconsin Senator Mary Lazich supporting the Silver Alert bill to help find missing Alzheimer’s Disease patients! Please call your legislators to support this bill!  Thank you @silveralertbill

When Should You Use Adult Day Care Services for Caregiving Help?

Is it really Alzheimer’s or something else?

Encouragement – Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

GRANDPARENTING

A Jar of Fun idea for grandparents and grandkids – discovered by @heartofwisdom.

@PrepSmart lets us know that CPSC Urges Parents, Grandparents & Caregivers to Stop Using “My Baby Soother Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard.”

National Sensory Awareness Week is Oct 25-31. Joan Graves has written an interesting article about Sensory Integration Disorder also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SI) and Sensory Processing Disorder.  Per @lisajcopen

A powerful article to share with your teen and young adult kids / grandkids – Nothing Casual About Sex -   Thanks to @JulieArduini for the link!

SANDWICH GENERATION:

Obama Declares H1N1 Flu / Swine Flu ‘National Emergency’ per Fox News.

Amazon Prime is GREAT for senior home care givers  and grandparents who help family and friends who live far away. And just in time for the holidays and sick days, they are returning to 2-day delivery for Thursday orders by delivering on Saturdays! Not only that, they are also offering a free one-month trial to check out the service!

Good analysis of the health care situation from a baby boomer generation viewpoint!

Encouragement – In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety. Ps. 4:8

Twitter is always a terrific resource for the Sandwich Generation, and this week is no exception:

SENIOR HOME CARE GIVERS:

Cold Sore Virus Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Cancer drug may improve memory in Alzheimer’s patients.  Per @ParkinsonsInfo

Here’s a lovely example of sisters, with one providing senior home care for the other.

Years Later, Divorce Complicates Caregiving.

CarePathways has provided a great Senior Home Care Checklist.

GRANDPARENTS:

If you have a grandchild with autism or sensory integration disorder, you might enjoy one of the AMC-Autism Society Sensory Friendly Films. The next one will be Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in select AMC theatres on September 10.

SANDWICH GENERATION:

Eliminating Clutter Gives New Retirees a Clean Break.

Live Longer through Flossing. Another great site from @Carebuzz. And how’s this for perfect timing, along with another of my favorite ways to save money. I just spotted a website with coupons for those cool little floss sticks that make it easier to floss. I recently discovered they even have extra thin ones to for those with tight teeth and sensitive gums!

Facebook posts may open doors to burglars!  With Baby Boomer Generation women being one of the fastest growing Facebook users, this warning really hits home for us! Not only that! The same can be true for Twitter, blogs, and even leaving comments at another site. It’s probably best to write about a vacation AFTER you return.

ChristianAudio is giving a free audio New Testament Bible this month. It’s the God’s Word translation. This is perfect for busy senior home care givers to keep up with Bible time, even when you’re on the run!