2011 Calendar
Date Host Presenter
Jan 9 Donna Jeannie Lythcott
Mar 6 Helena Nancy Wulff
May 1 Open Open
July 10 Marcie Open
Sep 17 Kathy Open
Nov 6 Open Open
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November 7 Meeting
At our meeting we'll have the opportunity to meet Gabrielle Miller, Executive Director of Raising A Reader, and learn tips and activities for sharing books with our grandchildren.
She'll explain some of the new research on children's reading acquisition skills and the delightful experience she calls "book cuddling." She'll show us some ways we can help our grandchildren develop language and reading readiness so they'll succeed in school and in life.
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2011 Presenters Needed
At our September 19 meeting I passed around a sign up sheet for our 2011 calendar. Four GaGas volunteered to host meetings and I thank you for saying yes. We need hosts for May 1 and November 6.
For our January 9 meeting GaGa Jeannie is going to present some easy but intriguing science investigations using everyday equipment that we can do with our grandchildren.
For our March 6 meeting artist Nancy Wulff will discuss the different stages of art development and the creative process in children. She'll also teach us some art projects to do with our grandchildren.
We still need presenters for May 1, July 10, September 17, and November 6. If you have any suggestions for topics or speakers, please let me know.
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Donne to Speak at Menlo Park Library
I've been invited to speak at the Menlo Park Library Saturday Speakers Program on November 6 at 11 am. The title of my speech is "Be a Go-to Grandparent Whether You're Near or Far." Menlo Park Library is located at 800 Alma St.
Please stop by if you're in the neighborhood.
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Greetings!
One thing I can say with certainty about our members: they are the most creative group of women I know. It makes me wonder if we get more creative with age or we have more time to spend on our creative pursuits. More importantly, how are we sharing our creativity with our grandchildren?Recently, I met a woman who believes that creative thinking is the skill that will determine our grandchildren's success in the twenty-first century. Whitney Ferre sent me a copy of her book, 33 Things to Know About Raising Creative Kids, after she read my blog post summarizing our July GaGa Sisterhood meeting. At that meeting we shared some of our favorite creative projects we've done with our grandchildren.Whitney's little 6" x 6" book starts with 7 statements to help you assess your family's level of "creative fitness." Many of these suggestions are things we grandmas can offer our grandchildren: have art supplies readily accessible; provide unstructured playtime; limit time spent watching TV and playing video games; display our grandchildren's art; and spend time on our own hobbies and interests.Her ideas are about making little changes that can result in big advantages. The fourth step in her plan is to know the developmental stages of creativity. Her advice validated what I wrote for the Art of Grandparenting -- it's important to know what is developmentally appropriate for your grandchild. That way you'll know what to expect in behavior and how to engage in appropriate play.At her Creative Fitness Center in Nashville, TN, parents often asked Whitney whether they should enroll their "really, really good" 6-year-old artist in a serious drawing class to encourage her artistic ability. Her answer is an emphatic NO. At "serious" art classes, our young, enthusiastic artists can become discouraged and interpret the teacher's suggestions as meaning that the way the child does it is wrong. That is a creativity developmental disaster!When you're aware of the timeline of your grandchild's creative development, you'll be able to supply him with what he needs to flourish and know when to supplement with outside resources.She gives a guide for the different ages, the names of the stages, and the type of art you can expect. For a chart and graphics, check out this link.
In Sisterhood,
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Meet Our 100th GaGa Sisterhood Member
The GGS reached a milestone in September -- our 100th member! Her name is Joan Bubier and she hails from Maine, where she lived for 45 years. We met for coffee recently and I was blown away by her devotion to her family.
Joan moved to Menlo Park in 2005 to help care for her 7-month-old grandson. Now she's got two grandsons, ages 5 and 3. They call her "Nana the Nanny" because she takes care of them five days a week. She picks the boys up from school and takes them to afternoon sports that include karate, golf, hockey, and soccer. Joan is an avid reader and shares her love of books by reading to her grandsons. She also fixes them dinner before she heads back to her own place. I'm wondering where she finds the energy to keep up with them.
She has the weekends to herself and enjoys quilting and reading. Joan is looking forward to meeting our members and having some adult conversation!
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My Favorite Halloween Costumes
Last year I discovered a "grape" idea for my two granddaughters' Halloween costumes: bunches of grapes. I found the idea at Grandloving, a website with lots of creative ideas for grandparents. The description sounded simple enough with only three items on the supply list:
- 15 purple or green balloons
- 15 small safety pins
- a grape-leaf collar and hat cut from green felt
The costumes were the hit of every party they attended. You can read the details on my blog post.
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Post Your Profile Photo on Big Tent
This month I launched a campaign to Post Your Profile Photo on Big Tent. Anyone who posts her photo (or who already has posted her photo) will be eligible for a free copy of Sue Johnson's book, GrandLoving: Making Memories with Your Grandchildren. The drawing will take place at our November 7 meeting. You don't have to be present to win.
The suggestion came from GaGa Carol W. During a recent lunch date, we were discussing some of the great ideas that members have shared at our meetings. Carol said, "It would be easier to get to know our members if we could put a face with a name." Carol noted that only a few members have posted their photos on Big Tent.
So take a few minutes right now and upload your photo so we can get to know you. You'll see directions on our Big Tent homepage under featured news.
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How Many Grandchildren in the GGS?
Recently someone asked me the ages of the grandchildren in the GaGa Sisterhoood. I asked my in-house statistician to give me some figures and thought I'd share them with you:
- We have over 100 members.
- We have over 200 grandchildren.
- Grandchildren range in age from in-utero to 24 years old.
- 50% are under four-years old.
- 25% are one-year old or less.
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The GaGa Zone
Please continue sending me pictures and stories of you with your grandchildren for the GaGa Zone. GaGa Diana and her 3-year-old granddaughter, Sequoia were at Allied Arts last spring when the owner of Rita's Atelier snapped this shot. "It says a lot about my relationship with Sequoia -- art, gardens, dancing and tie-dye!"
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