Cinderella Days! Grandpa’s Cinderella Days!

Cinderella Days!  Grandpa Enjoys Some Cinderella Days!

Cindrella Days!  www.mytributejournal.com

As much as I love my Cinderella Days with my granddaughters, it’s always fun to watch them enjoy some special times with their Grandpa too!

My husband recently returned home from one of his frequent Home Depot jaunts appearing  more zealous than usual!  (I mean, we’re talking new shoe excitement, here!)  He was so anxious to tell me that Home Depot sponsors a kid’s building activity day on the first Saturday of each month.  Any child is eligible to sign up and participate, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.  After looking at the class schedule he had picked up at the store, outlining upcoming projects, my husband could hardly wait to call and arrange some weekend outings with our granddaughters!  As I’ve mentioned in this previous post, my father-in-law was a genius wood worker who built cabinets and other beautiful furniture and taught his sons those same fine skills!  Since I’m not naturally very handy with tools, I think I was just as excited to see my granddaughters, at their young ages, be given the opportunity to learn a few “tricks of the trade”, so to speak.  To say that Makena and Marli were beyond ecstatic when they got the call from grandpa to join him for a few fun weekends, would be an understatement!
Although I don’t have a picture, I just have to mention that there is nothing quite so heartwarming (and even a little sexy) as seeing my granddaughters car seats sitting up in my husband’s big, manly Dodge truck!  Makena and Marli are always all smiles and giggles when they drive with Grandpa!    
Going out for breakfast is always first on the agenda, then the fun “work” gets underway!  My husband told me that the proper use of tools is reviewed with everyone who attends.  I love that each child is given a little work apron and that pins are earned to put on them when their projects are finished.
Teaching children how to use tools.  www.mytributejournal.com
Makena looks to be a natural with a hammer!  This particular week, they made a tic tac toe game.  (Only Makena went with her Grandpa this time, since the tic tac toe game being made was a more detailed project.)  
Teaching children to work with tools.  www.mytributejournal.com
Teaching children to work with tools. www.mytributejournal.comTic Tac Toe game.  www.mytributejournal.com
There’s nothing quite so wonderful as seeing the happy sense of accomplishment on a grandchild’s face! 
A few weeks later, with Marli in tow too, Grandpa helped the girls make race cars–does it get any cooler than that?  
Making race cars.  www.mytributejournal.comThis picture gives truth to the fact that two of the most satisfying experiences in life has got to be that of being a grandchild and a grandparent! 
Making race cars!  www.mytributejournal.com
Getting some future DIYers off to a good start!  The girls were so delighted with their new-found skills!
Making race cars!  www.mytibutejournal.com
Making race cars!  www.mytributejournal.comEach of the girl’s cars was painted their favorite color!  True girl power!  Such special Cinderella Days with Grandpa!
Seeing my husband with my granddaughters, I know the absolute truth of this quote…
“Grandpa’s are similar to a piece of string–handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren!”  Author unknown  
–Mary
  

Jello Rainbow Salad!

Jello Rainbow Salad–Worthy Of A Pot Of Gold On St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick's Day www.mytributejournal.com

I used to make this fun Jello Rainbow Salad around St. Patrick’s Day when my children were little, served up with a few “magic” gold coins, in a creative attempt to help them believe that they really could make all their dreams come true!  It’s an easy salad to make–just takes a little time, but it’s well worth the effort when you hear all the “ooh’s” and “aah’s” that are sure to be uttered when this fun, brightly layered salad is served!  It’s easy to adapt the Jello colors for whatever holiday you’re celebrating.

Jello Rainbow Salad Recipe www.mytributejournal.com

I find that gently whisking the sour cream into the Jello helps make it creamy without little lumps.  Make sure you put the glass dish where it is level on your fridge shelf so that the layers set up evenly.

Jello Rainbow Salad www.mytributejournal.com

Jello Rainbow Salad just looks pretty and that makes it so much fun to eat– it is sure to make your St. Patrick’s Day more festive!

The Irish always have great blessings to offer!

Irish Blessing www.mytributejournal.com

My dad used to tell me that luck often depended on our ability to work hard!

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

–Mary

 

Birthdays Are Good For You!

Birthdays Are Good For You!  The More You Have, The Longer You Live!

Birthdays are good for you! www.mytributejournal.com

I find that for me, birthdays are a better time to do a little self-inventory, rather than the beginning of a new year–after all, our birthdays are so uniquely ours!

Dr. Seuss quote www.mytributejournal.com

I’ll celebrate another birthday this month–and yes, although hard to believe, it’s another reason why I look forward to spring(My dad always used to point out that the alternative to celebrating another birthday wasn’t a real good option!)  One of the things I do love as each birthday comes along is that I feel much more content and at ease with myself–seems like a fair payoff for getting older, right?

If I had a motto for my life right now–this would be it!

You Can Do Anything! DesignedByMaria on Etsy

Quote printable from “Designed By Maria” on Etsy–one of my favorite shops!

I’m so grateful to everyone within my circle of influence who has helped make my life’s journey so incredibly worthwhile and enjoyable, despite some challenges along the way.  I realize, more than ever before, that as hard as I might try, I can’t possibly do it all!  (I know, that’s a real head smacker! Ha!)  If it takes having a few birthdays to truly understand this…then I welcome every one of them!

What I’m learning now…

The more birthdays we have, I think there’s sometimes a tendency to become nostalgic and think of things in years past–maybe when our parents were young or our children were little.  Dr. Suess had some good advice about that too! 

Dr. Suess quote www.mytributejournal.com

By all means, let’s cherish special memories, but what I’m learning now is that living with vibrancy in the here and now should be our goal at any age.  I also tend to believe that our “real” age is defined more by the state of our minds and our hearts, rather than the calendar!

Birthdays are good for you! www.mytributejournal.com

Brightest Spring Wishes to Everyone!

What helps you live in the moment and stay young at heart?

–Mary

PS.  In anticipation of another great year ahead, here’s a sneak peak of a few new journal entries I’ll be featuring on a regular basis!

Birthdays are good for you post www.mytributejournal.com

I can’t wait…so stay tuned!