No matter the time of year, there’s always something to celebrate! We’re right by your side through birthdays, major milestones and changing seasons. Discover ideas for fun summer activities, new holiday traditions and more ways to make memories with your loved ones year-round.
During the beginning of the pandemic, I challenged my grandkids each month to learn something new. I tried to be a good role model, and l challenged myself as well. The challenge took place mostly during the winter months of our isolation. I remember baking bread,...
Ever since the grandkids were little, we've included them in the picture on our Christmas card. We don’t send many cards anymore, but we always try to send them to family members who live out of state and some close friends. Pictures have included cutting down our...
During the pandemic, I have become relatively efficient with the process of Zoom calls. With the necessary isolation, I appreciate the ability to see friend’s faces and their expressions and hear their voices. I was on a Zoom chat with grandkids last week, and when I...
It’s hot out there, but summer weather shouldn’t stop you from exercising, gardening or enjoying other activities outside – in fact, getting out in nature helps with stress levels! But it’s important to be prepared and proactive to avoid heat-related problems. The...
During my morning walk, I caught myself reminiscing about being in the school building with students and missing everything about it. Not only do I miss teaching, but my kids miss school, their friends and the activities. And, all I can do is plan for and hope that we will be back in school buildings this fall. Without thinking too far in advance, we must experience summer first.
Eat healthy, lose weight, exercise—these are some of the things I think about when it comes to New Year Resolutions. But this year, I not only wanted to do these resolutions for me, but I wanted to include my family in some as well. Resolutions for the Family When it...
I love the fall and especially enjoy the Halloween season. When my grandkids were little, I volunteered to be the witch in residence at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Maybe I wasn't the witch in residence, but I read books to any kids who happened to stop by my chair.It...
Ah, summer—the sun is hot, school is out, energy is high, and let's face it, for parents this can be a challenging time. Not only does your routine change, but it’s also difficult to keep your kids reading.Does “summer school work” sound like a chore to your kids?...
The end of winter and the beginning of spring always seems to bring challenges and surprises. We live in Lincoln, NE, and we know the weather is always changing.
Snow days — I love them and I hate them — despite the sheer joy at hearing the early morning news about a snow day. According to our three kids, I was “that” mom today. You know “that” mom who makes all of her children do their chores. “That” mom who makes her children do their homework. “That” mom who is crabby all day long.
When your grandkids are older, you no longer ask their parents what they’d like for Christmas and birthdays; you go straight to the source. Maybe they’ll tell you what they really want, but are afraid to ask for it from their parents. Perhaps I’m still waiting for the day when they say, “Nothing, Grandma. Just to connect more with you.” Wouldn’t that be nice?
When I was growing up, I was fortunate to know both sets of my grandparents. My paternal grandparents were farmers and lucky to keep their farm in spite of the depression, which was no small feat.
I vividly remember how special my parents made the Christmas season, especially Christmas Eve. We had supper, went to midnight mass and then around 1:30 in the morning, we opened presents. Somehow mom managed to keep all the gifts hidden, and while we opened presents she had a story for each one.
One of my summer jobs is to keep the weeds in check. I do my best to patrol the yard, our raised garden and an area between a couple of houses that I call the “no person’s land”. I’ve discovered that if I patrol at least twice a week, I can keep on top of the task—heaven forbid we go on a two-week vacation.
For as long as I can remember, I always look forward to summer. Summers were (and still are) filled with softball games, fireworks, grilling and going on adventures.
There’s spring in Nebraska, and then there’s SPRING in Nebraska. I’ve lived in this great state all my life, but for some reason this year’s cool temperatures have been challenging for me.
On New Year’s Day, I mentioned to my grandkids that I was thinking about resolutions for 2018. They immediately wanted to know what those resolutions were. Being the old teacher, I put it back on them. What would they resolve for 2018?
Oh, the end of the year. The time where we tend to reflect over the past 365 days. Reflection gets to me every time. Reflecting upon the memories, the accomplishments, even the fears, but most importantly, reflecting encourages me to improve.
The holidays often are portrayed as a time of year that’s supposed to be filled with joy, family, friends, generosity and kindness. But for many parents, this is a time of year rife with emotional challenges and increased stress.
It’s funny how the older one gets, the more time it takes to do the simple tasks of preparing holiday meals, buying and wrapping gifts, and dealing with all things holiday. Why should I think this year would be different?
Our Thanksgiving meal has been eaten. My lesson plans for December are complete. Our Christmas tree is decorated. Everything about the holiday season is in full force.
Growing up, I was required to write thank you notes for all my birthdays. My grandma would always call after my birthday and ask if I’d gotten her card in the mail. I always felt awful if I didn’t acknowledge her with a phone call or note.
Parenting is never smooth sailing. For the big problems, I seek guidance from my pediatrician or other professional advisors. But for the “how-to” questions or the non-emergency “glitches,” I turn to my parents or my parenting peers. My most recent question was a little tricky.
I told my kids this the other day: “I’m so excited for school to be in session. I’m a better mom when I am teaching.” All three of our kids gave me a blank stare.
I’m the grandma of four beautiful and loving grandchildren. They teach me a great deal about life and love. They give more to me than I’ll ever be able to give to them. This past week, though, being a grandma was a little different.
The Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy—these are just some of the lies we tell our children. Most children are raised to believe that their parents know best. Are we actually Pinocchio parenting or lying?
Just this past week, a patient said to me, “Well, my pain is worse when it’s cold, so I’ll just get through the winter and see how my pain is when it’s warmer. I think it will be better.”
What goes up, must come down. It’s physics. The presents are unwrapped, the decorations are gone and Stuart the Elf went back to the North Pole.
This year, I got a tremendous surprise. I opened a small gift bag and the card said my birthday gift was outside the garage. I went out the door and saw a big red wooden box labeled “Little Free Library.”
We have many family holiday traditions. I sometimes worry that’s the only way our grandkids will remember us. I realize their lives will grow as they get into college, begin a career and start their own families.
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