The next Grilled Grandma

Believe it or not, this week's Grilled Grandma, Cheri, is the THIRTY EIGHTH grandma I've grilled! It has been so much fun learning about other grandmas, everything from what their grandchildren call them (Cheri's grandchildren call her "Nandy") to the challenges they face as a grandmother.

It's also been pretty darn cool to read about the things they do with their grandkids. It's a super way to get ideas for making the most of my grandma time with Bubby (and any eventual new ones, too, of course). Grandma Cherie offered up a new idea, one I'd not yet heard of from the 37 other grandmas -- and one I'm going to start pestering Megan now to allow me to do in eight years. Here it is, in Cheri's words:

A special thing I do during the grandkids’ 10th year is take them on a trip, just the two of us. When the first one, granddaughter Caitlin, turned 10, she picked Washington, D.C. We planned the trip together and went during her fall break during 5th grade. I bought her books ahead of time, a biography of George Washington and Clara Barton, she read on the way, and we went to both of their homes (Mt. Vernon and Clara Barton’s home & the 1st headquarters of the Red Cross). We rode the subway, walked to all the monuments, Smithsonian, had tea at the Ritz, took lots of photos, and a wonderful time. When we got home, I helped her create a scrapbook about the trip. Each of the other kids are already thinking about where they want to go. I have to save up ahead of time! Caleb turns 10 in October.

What do you think, Megan?

Be sure to read all about Grilled Grandma Cheri. She's got lots of great stories and suggestions. While you're in the Grilled Grandma section of the site, why not check out a few other grillings you may have missed? You'll find the archives of all the Grilled Grandmas in the sidebar right next to Cheri's grilling.

And if you would like to be grilled -- or want to nominate a grandma you know for grilling -- just let me know by e-mailing me a first name and e-mail address.

Today's question:

What's one special grandmother/grandchildren trip you've experienced, whether you were the grandma or the grandchild?

The next Grilled Grandma

I have to admit that sometimes while doing the Grilled Grandma feature I get a little jealous of the grandmas. This week's grandma, Linda, is no exception.

Why am I jealous of the Grilled Grandmas? It usually has to do with how often the featured grandma gets to see her grandkids. As a long-distance grandma, I wish I could spend more time with Bubby and do the cool things with him that some of the Grilled Grandmas get to do with their grandchildren on a fairly regular basis.

My green-eyed monster reared its head just a teensy tad at reading this comment from Linda:

I have three that come down and they stay a week with me during summer break from school. We try to plan the week out so all of my time is spent just on those three children. Like going to the library or swimming in the pool, just sitting and watching a movie together and just cuddling on my bed.

I know, I know ... Bubby's not even in school yet so lengthy stays with Grandma over summer break aren't in the cards at this point. But it's Megan's summer break from teaching, so I really think she deserves a break from parenting, too, and I know the perfect place Bubby could stay while Megan takes a little time for herself.

Sound like a good plan, Megan?

(It was worth a shot, wouldn't you guys say?)

Linda seems to be a super loving -- and super fun loving! -- grandma, so I'm sure her grandkids look forward to and cherish those summer breaks hanging out with "Maw Maw."

Read Linda's grilling HERE. Then let me know if you have a grandma you'd like to see grilled (even if that's YOU) by e-mailing me her first name and e-mail address. I'm always on the lookout for more grandmas to grill, so feel free to pass along any you can think of.

Today's question:

What's one memory you have of summertime visits to your grandma's house?

My answer: I vividly remember hanging out with groups of cousins at the lake and listening to the older kids tell stories of Indian ghosts that roamed Wisconsin.

The next Grilled Grandma

One of the reasons I started Grandma's Briefs was because when I searched for grandma blogs and grandparenting websites, there seemed to be very few, and I was apalled by the dismal presence of grandparents on the web.

Boy was I -- and Google -- wrong on that count, as I've learned from all the blogging and website-creating grandmas I've been privileged to come across while doing the Grilled Grandmas feature. Sure, there are far more "mommy" blogs, but grandparenting blogs and sites are definitely a force to be reckoned with, and none more so than the website of this week's Grilled Grandma, Kathy.

Kathy's site, GrandsPlace, has been online since 1996 -- far longer than any other grandparenting blog or website I've come across. If you're looking for information and support regarding parenting a grandchild, you won't want to miss GrandsPlace.

Read all about trailblazing, er, website-blazing Grandma Kathy in her Grilled Grandma feature. She's got lots of love and wisdom to share with all of us.

Today's question:

What is one of your favorite blogs or websites ... besides Grandma's Briefs, of course?

The next Grilled Grandma

I gotta be honest with you guys: This week's Grilled Grandma is gaga. Really, truly gaga.

But I'm not just telling tales out of school. You see, Donne, the featured grandma of which I speak, readily admits she's gaga -- gaga over her grandkids!

Yet Donne doesn't hide her gaga-ness away. Instead, she started a society for all the other grandmas who consider themselves gaga. It's called GaGa Sisterhood and you can find out all about it -- even join the gaga group yourself, if you so choose -- on Donne's website, GaGa Sisterhood.

But first, take a gander at Donne's grilling. One look at the photos of her granddaughters and the reason for her being so gaga will be perfectly clear. Those girlies are gorgeous and look to have an abundance of joy in their hearts. You can get to Donne's grilling by clicking right HERE. (Or you can always be a rebel and click the tab on the top of this page, the tab appropriately marked "Grilled Grandmas.")

If you know of a gaga grandma who would be open to a grilling, please send me her first name and e-mail address. I'll contact her in hopes of adding yet another grandma -- or two or twelve -- to the Grilled Grandma schedule.

Today's question:

Donne is gaga for her grandkids. Sonny the Cuckoo Bird is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. What are you simply wild (or gaga or cuckoo) for?

My answer: In addition to being bonkers for Bubby, I'd say I'm pretty much bonkers for books, too. I can't resist them and collect far more than I can ever read. It's a pitiful habit, I must admit.

The next Grilled Grandma

This week's Grilled Grandma, Judy, does all the things you expect from the ultimate grandma, and then some. For example, take a look at some of the activities she plans for her grandkids:

For many years, we have yearly special activities for the children and grandchildren. In February we have a 'RED DINNER' for Valentine's Day where all the food is red.  On St. Patrick's Day we have a 'GREEN DINNER' where all the food is green.  The last Saturday in October, we have a Pumpkin Feast.  All these involve an afternoon of competitive games--and often a scavenger hunt of some kind.

And that's just a portion of her answer to my question about what she enjoys doing when the grandkids visit her house! She also has Grandma Camp in the summer, Christmas Tea (two of them, divided by age) in the winter, and much more!

I love Grandma Judy's ideas and I bet you will, too. Take a look for yourself right HERE.

As always, if you know of a grandma you think should be grilled, please e-mail me her first name and e-mail address. I'm always happy to add another grandma to the Grilled Grandma menu!

Today's question:

If you were required to eat food of only one color for the rest of your days, what color would you choose?

My answer: It would be tough to give up my white favorites (potatoes, pasta, bread) but I'd have to go with red: berries, cherries, red meat and good ol' tomato soup!

The next Grilled Grandma

I'm continually humbled by the incredible jobs performed by the grandmas I grill. I complain on a pretty regular basis about not being able to see Bubby enough, but how would I feel (and how would we all fare) if it turned out that Bubby needed me to take custody of him. I certainly would do it, but I just don't know that I would be able to do it with the grace shown by those Grilled Grandmas for whom raising a grandchild is their reality.

This week's Grilled Grandma, Sally, is one of those grace-filled grandmas raising a grandchild. Sally has a total of eight grandkids, but one lives in her home, without the parent. Just like Karen, a featured Grilled Grandma a couple weeks ago, Sally uses the experience to help other grandparents in similar situations, by running a website and a Facebook group for grandparents raising grandchildren. Funny thing is, although Sally and Karen have much in common, they're on opposite sides of the world, literally, as Sally lives in New Zealand! Goes to show that the grandparenting experience is much the same, no matter what part of the globe you call home.

Read Sally's grilling HERE, then drop by her website or her Facebook group to say hello; links to both are at the bottom of her grilling. Not only will you get to know Sally better, you'll likely find plenty of words of wisdom to make grandparenting more enjoyable -- whether you're raising your grandchildren or just enjoying them as time and distance allow.

Today's question:

In recognition of Sally living in a land far, far away (from most of us), what foreign countries have you visited?

My answer: I've been to Canada and Mexico ... Vancouver, Canada, and Juarez, Mexico, which makes them just barely qualify as trips to foreign countries.

The next Grilled Grandma

I gotta say, I have three daughters, one grandchild and one blog and it keeps me pretty darn busy. This week's Grilled Grandma, Karen, has EIGHT children, TEN grandchildren and TWO blogs! And she makes it work. "My work is never 'done,' she says in her grilling. "I am rarely the doting grandma who makes cookies. We make healthy smoothies instead."

Making it work is only part of the story, for Karen is truly the most courageous Grilled Grandma I've had yet. Karen has a touching backstory about raising several of her grandchildren, which was the impetus for starting a website to help support and encourage other grandparents in similar situations.

Be sure to visit Karen's website and accompanying blog to read her story, as it's not one shared in the grilling. You can find the links to both her website and her blog at the bottom of her grilling, which you can find right HERE.

Today's (unrelated) question:

What was the most unusual thing in your cart the last time you grocery shopped?

My answer: A frozen veggie pizza. I never buy frozen veggie pizzas for Jim and myself, but Andie was watching the house and animals while we were in South Dakota, and that was one of her requested food items for her stay.

The next Grilled Grandma

This week's Grilled Grandma, Edna, reveals a secret that most grandmas don't talk about: That we still really like our kids, too, not just our grandkids.

I know, I know. That's kind of hard to believe, considering that grandmas typically go on and on and on about the little ones, but often fail to mention the parents of those precious grandchildren. Pictures of the children? You gotta be joking ... where would they fit in a brag book filled with granddaughters and grandsons. Especially when you have SEVENTEEN grandchildren, as Edna does.

But, like I said, Edna admits to enjoying time with her adult children, not just the grandchildren. When asked what she most likes to do when visiting her grandchildren, here's her response:

 Believe it or not, when we go to visit the families I find I also enjoy spending time with my own children as well as the grandchildren. We often are all gathered in someone’s family room where we chatter and laugh with all ages mingled in. The little ones are on the floor, the middle ones are in and out, and the teenagers are part of the fun. Gradually we migrate into groups where I often find I’m with the youngest and we play silly make believe games.

She's right. I gotta admit that as much as we love seeing our Bubby, we also enjoy hanging out with Megan and Preston. Of course, I would have never said that out loud, well, written it, if not for Edna's admission to the same. Now I can't wait to have all the girls and their guys and however many kiddos they produce hanging out with us all at one time. THAT is the kind of family time I truly look forward to!

Read what else Edna fesses up to in her Grilled Grandma feature, which you can find right HERE.

Today's (completely unrelated) question:

If you could teach one of your pet's to do one thing, what would it be?

My answer: I would teach Abby, our tabby cat, to answer the telephone. I hate the phone and Jim just ignores it, but I'm pretty sure Abby -- who alternates between thinking she's a human and thinking she's a dog and who must always be in the middle of everything going on -- would enjoy conversing with anyone who happened to dial our land line.

The next Grilled Grandma

This week I'm grilling up Sue for the Grilled Grandma feature and I gotta say, this grandma put my "Awwww!" response into high gear. She does so many special things with and for her grandkids that I couldn't help but think, upon reading each reply to my questions, "Awww ... that's so sweet!"

One in particular got to me, actually even made me a bit verklempt. Could be my wacky hormones wreaking havoc (again) or could be just that the sheer sweetness of it that brought tears to my eyes. You decide:

In response to my question "What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you?," Sue said this:

Love – I’ve given each of them a special name that they’ve heard me call them since they were infants, and each name has the word love in it – I have a “Honey Love”, a “Love Bear”, an “Angel Love”, a “Snuggle Love”, a “Huggy Love” and a “Happy Love”.  I have a special bear for each child and have made a heart button with the individual names that I sewed onto each child’s special bear.  The bears always greet the grandkids on their beds with a welcome note in the bear’s hands when the kids come to visit.

Awwww!

Read more of Sue's awwww-inspiring grilling HERE.

Today's question:

What's the most unusual nickname you've ever given someone ... or that someone has given you?

My answer: When my first nephew, Nicholas, was born, I loved to call him Nicker Bocker Booger Buns. When Megan was born, the same rhythm seemed to work for her, too, and I dubbed her Meggie Beggie Booger Buns.

The next Grilled Grandma

I'm continually floored by the precious little kiddos I get to see and read about as part of the Grilled Grandma feature. But I gotta say that this week's Grilled Grandma -- Crystal -- has a granddaughter after my heart. I can say that because I don't have a granddaughter of my own ... yet.

Just listen to this cuteness. In response to my question of "What do you like to do when you visit your grandkids at their house?", Crystal said this:

I enjoy playing pretend and being part of their active imagination play.  Today Helayna served me tea from her Starbucks shop (in her room) and then she had to dash into the closet (her dressing room) and change into hockey clothes!

Cuteness personified, wouldn't you say?

Crystal has five super cute grandkids, courtesy of three (of her four) super cute kids. Read all about them in her grilling, which you can find HERE.

Today's question:

What's your favorite drink from Starbucks ... or any tea or coffee shop?

My answer: I love, love, love the Pumpkin Spice Latte available in the fall and winter.