My Wish for You in 2015……Peace, Love and a Philanthropic Heart

I wish all of you a joyous holiday season and a blessed New Year. Once a year I have the same post at both of my blogs Marion Conway – Nonprofit Consultant and The Grandma Chronicles. This is that joint post.

As the year comes to a close, I take some quiet time to reflect on the year that is ending and the one that is ahead.  This last year has been a good one for me.  I have moved to a more retired stage of life and yet I continue to be involved with nonprofit consulting, writing and enjoying wonderful relationships with the nonprofit community.  My work has shifted to more executive placement for small nonprofits and I particularly enjoy this work of bringing together the right person with an expectant and wonderful organization.  I had expected to shift my writing more to The Grandma Chronicles – my other blog – but alas that did not happen because of all the less discretionary commitments I had. 

It is the season to appreciate our blessings, express our love and wish for peace in the world and our lives.  It is also the season to think ahead and decide what will be our priorities and focus in the new year. In 2015, I plan again to expand my focus on the Grandma Chronicles and write more frequently and with more depth.  So far I have mostly dealt with the happy moments and there are so many of those as a grandmother that I am very grateful for.  At Marion Conway –Nonprofit Consultant my writing will focus on executive search and placement issues for nonprofits, board issues and philanthropy.

Over the last few years I have written about philanthropy and children and this is a growing interest of mine.  Recently I came across this article in the New York Times on the growing popularity of an ethical will and using technology to present it in a much more engaging way than just a written document.  

Developing and acting on a philanthropic heart is important to me and it is something that I want to explore at both blogs in 2015.  I definitely want to pass on a philanthropic heart to my grandchildren.  And so perhaps there will be more melding of the two blogs on this subject in 2015.

It is Christmas Eve and I look forward to being in church later with my grandson for the family service and children's pagaent.  You will be in my prayers. The table is set and ready for dinner tomorrow.  Tonight I'll have dinner with my husband at a favorite local restaurant and be ready to cook and celebrate tomorrow.

And so for 2015, I wish you all Peace, Love and a Philanthropic Heart.

Peace,

Marion

What a Weekend - Snowman's Band by eeboo and Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

Christmas is less than three weeks away and this weekend our five year old grandson, Zach, was with us  for a babysitting sleepover.  Christmas is in the air and I love it!  All week I had a hardcover copy of Pete the Cat Saves Christmas that I bought last Saturday at a local business on Small Business Saturday and I have this beautiful glitter “Snowman’s Band” puzzle from eeboo to review.  So here’s the weekend report and review.

Zach with the "Snowman's Band" puzzle from eeboo

Zach loves puzzles and “Pop” and I love doing puzzles with him.  He amazes me with his quickness and puzzle making ability.  My husband and I have the same technique – we like to complete the outside frame and so we know what we are working with and then complete the inside.  Zach is not confined by this orderly approach. 

He decides what figure he is interested in and looks for the pieces that will complete that figure.  Meanwhile we are trying to put all the outside pieces in one place so he can complete the outside.  I imagine we are a funny threesome to watch do a puzzle.  Anyway, after a bit he sees the sense in completing the outside and quickly finished that off.  From there, it is fun to see how each piece helps complete the whole picture.   

 

Zach and Pop work diligently on the puzzle

 

We have some other puzzles that I bought in the Dollar store, but this one is completely different.  The pieces are larger, sturdier and made of 90% recycled gray board with soy based inks.  When finished, the picture is 15x15 inches.  Each piece has a light glitter and it is a beautiful sparkly bright scene with a soft glitter.  Zach was impressed by the glitter aspect.  It is a busy scene and we all enjoyed talking about it.  The 4 snowmen are playing instruments and the animals have presents.  We noticed the beaver with his wrapped log and the bird with her sheet music – how appropriate. The puzzle has 64 pieces and box says for ages  5+. Since it is so multicolor with distinctive characters, it was reasonable for a 5 year old to do with some “coaching help” from grandparents.

The Completed Snowman's Band Puzzle from eeboo

Zach knew the wrapped package on the dining room table was a book for him.  He didn’t know what was in it and he couldn’t wait to open it.  What a squeal of joy when he saw “Pete the Cat Saves Christmas.”  His kindergarten teacher had read it in school, he loved it and he was so excited to have his own copy.  This book is beautifully illustrated and an “adapted story of the Twas the Night Before Christmas.  

I love traditions and after this weekend, I know that doing a Christmas puzzle and reading Pete the Cat Saves Christmas on a weekend visit before Christmas will become a tradition for us.  If you will be seeing your grandchildren soon, you don’t have to wait until Christmas Day to enjoy the season.  Carpe diem and enjoy!

To complete the weekend ...a visit to our town's "Fair in the Square".....

I usually show a link to Amazon for products I review,  but this and other puzzles from eeboo are much cheaper right on the eeboo website and the website has lots of other high quality items at reasonable prices that you might be interested in, so here is the link to the eeboo website.

For Pete the Cat Saves Christmas..

Holiday Gift Guide - Part 3: Games and Giveaway!!!!!!

UPDATE:  The Giveaway is now closed.  Tara was the winner.  Check out Amazon - see links below - for the games you are interested in.  Thanks everyone for participating.

This is the first ANNUAL Holiday Gift guide for The Grandma Chronicles. It is so big that I am going to present it in a separate post for each section:

•  Little Ones – Baby, Toddler, Pre-School:   See it here.
• Older Kids – Kindergarten and Up:  See it here.
• Games:   This is today's post
• Brings Back Memories – Toys, Some Updated Your Kids Played W
• Christmas Themes
• Over the Top - Only a Grandparent Would Consider 

 It is a little different than many of the other holiday guides. Here’s how: 

All the gifts are ones that a grandparent will be interested in. Grandparents tend to be interested in value, something their grandchildren will appreciate when the Christmas wrappings are cleared and doesn’t depend too much on batteries and apps.  You’ll find those things on this list especially in this Games section.

It is homey and down to earth with my informal and informative commentary. 

I have personally seen everything on this list - many out of the box and some I have even played with my grandson.  They offer quality and value and the toys are the sort of things that become favorites.   

The pictures shown have been taken by me.  I either took the pictures at a show display or in my kitchen.   

If you are like me you don’t really relish a trip to ToysRUs so everything on this guide is available at Amazon.com.  I suggest you check out other online options for price comparisons but don’t forget to evaluate shipping costs in your price comparisons.  You can also do a price comparison at the Time to Play website for some items.

Now for something really special.  I love Wonder Forge games because they are well designed, appeal to my grandson and other children I have given them to, feature current and classic popular characters and are value priced.  I am excited that Wonder Forge is sponsoring a giveaway with this post and offering not one, not two but 3 games to the winner!!!!!  Giveaway details are at the end of the post.  Now for the recommendations:

Some of Zach's matches

DC Super Friends Matching Game or Disney Frozen Matching Game– These are your basic matching games but if your grandchildren are fans they will love playing games featuring all their favorite characters.  Here’s my grandson with our game. There was a big exclamation with each character that was turned over – a lot more fun than just a cat or dog. We had a great time playing this together.  ALL of the superheros and their adversaries are included and the female characters too. (They are too frequently absent from the superhero stuff.) Both versions have 72 tiles so they are good for kids a little older too.  You can always choose selected tiles and play with a younger child.  From Wonder Forge

Many of the games I have given my grandson stay at our house but he insisted on bringing this one home and it is a favorite to play with his parents.  By the way, lots of men are super hero fans and some Dads will really enjoy playing this with their child.  There is also an app you can download to have even more fun with this game.

Zach and Grandma playing DC Super Friends Matching Game

Pictopia Disney Edition– I have received a sample of this game and I haven’t tried it out yet but it gets raves reviews at Amazon and ToysRUs.  If your family is a fan of Disney movies, they will love this game.  It is a game that adults and children both enjoy – especially if they remember scenes and characters from the Disney movies.  There are 200 cards and 1000 questions.  You can play in groups with group and individual questions and that evens out the impact of ringers. Even a young child who has seen a lot of Disney movies can be good at Pictopia. I love games that work intergenerationally and this one gets lots of kudos for that.  This game is a Time to Play People’s Play Award nominee and you can vote for it here.  There is also an app that you can download to add to the fun with this game.  

Disney Pictopia by Wonder Forge

Disney Frozen 6-in-1 Games- Just like the title says, there are six games - all with the Frozen theme  (what more could any little girl want?) in the box.  The games are all classics that grandparents already know and can easily play adapted to the Frozen theme.  The games include bingo, go fish, crazy 8's, Four-in-a-row, dominoes and matching.  The picture below shows you that there are many play pieces - different games use different pieces.  The game board has four sections that can be taken apart or put together depending on the game.  Lots of variety all in one box at a reasonable price. Another winner from Wonder Forge.

Back of Disney Pictopia Box-See Numerous Pieces

Richard Scarry's Busytown -

Busytown by Wonder Forge

This isn't a new game but my grandson has loved playing with it for the last two years.  I must warn you that this is a down on the floor and move around game so if it going to be played with an adult, they need to be willing and able to do so.  The game board is over six feet long and it is filled with busytown scenes.  What I love about this game is everybody wins.  You don't need to consider letting a young child win.  You use little spyglasses to identify things to advance to midway in the game.  Then you wait until all players get on the boat to advance together.  If "pigs eat" all the food before you get to the end they win, if they don't all the players win.  I really, really like this concept of playing a game and we win together - even if getting up from the floor is more of a project these days.  

This picture taken on my kitchen floor gives you an idea of what you might be in for!

Mancala and Mancala 4 from Square Root - I loved playing Mancala with my kids and there was a set on every summer vacation to the Jersey shore.  We played in the late afternoon when it was time to get off the beach and on rainy days.  It was our go to game.  I was delighted to see the beautiful Mancala and Mancala wood games by Square Root at Toy Fair in February.  If you are ready to introduce your grandkids to mancala, this is for you.

Mancala 4 by Square Root

They Are Made in the U.S.A.

Pairs in Pears and  Appletters from Bananagrams - I know that some of you are hooked on Bananagrams.  Well, maybe its time to introduce your grandkids to other games from the same company.  Here are two that can be adapted for various ages.

At age 3 - I made pairs of words, Zach paired letters

Giveaway Details

Wonder Forge has generously offered the winner of this giveaway the following 3 games - DC Matching Game, Frozen 6-in1 Game and Disney Pictopia. 

It is easy to enter and there are two ways. Both ways count as an entry so you get two entries if you do both.  I need to be able to contact you if you win. If you enter -  email me with your email address at marion@grandmachronicles.com.  I will not use your email address for anything except to notify you if you win.  Grandmother’s Honor.

1.      Leave a comment here on the blog 

     and/or

2.      Like The Grandma Chronicles facebook page - click here.

You can have two entries by doing both.  Deadline to enter:December 1, 2014 at midnight. The winner will be selected using random.org.  This item can be sent to US addresses only.

Full Disclosure:  This review is completely my own opinion and I was not reimbursed for it.  I did receive a review sample for some items. 

Holiday Gift Guide - Part 2: Older Kids - Kindergarten and Up

This is the first ANNUAL Holiday Gift guide for The Grandma Chronicles. It is so big that I am going to present it in a separate post for each section.

The Grandma Chronicles Holiday Gift Guide will have a separate blog post for each of sections:

•  Little Ones – Baby, Toddler, Pre-School
• Older Kids – Kindergarten and Up
• Games
• Brings Back Memories – Toys, Some Updated Your Kids Played W
• Christmas Themes
• Over the Top - Only a Grandparent Would Consider 

 It is a little different than many of the other holiday guides. Here’s how: 

All the gifts are ones that a grandparent will be interested in.  Some grandparents are on a tight budget and some are able to afford the gift with “extra splash that isn’t in the parents’ budget.”  Grandparents tend to be interested in value, something their grandchildren will appreciate when the Christmas wrappings are cleared and doesn’t depend too much on batteries and apps.  You’ll find those things on this list.

This is the only Holiday List of toys I know of with a “Brings Back Memories” section.  When I visit various Toy Shows I am always drawn to toys that my kids played with that are coming back and have new life for this generation.  You’ll see those in a separate section in this guide.  I promise you they will bring a smile to your face and memories of your kids as children.

It is homey and down to earth with my informal and informative commentary. 

 There are some big name company items on this list and there are also brands you may not have heard of, but I am familiar with them and recommend them.  They offer quality and value and the toys are the sort of things that become favorites.  I have personally seen all of the toys on this list - many out of the box.

Almost all of the pictures shown are taken by me.  They are shown just like I saw them on display at various media events during the year. They may not be perfect but I prefer them to the stock photos.

If you are like me you don’t really relish a trip to ToysRUs or the toy department of WalMart.  I do visit ToysRUs, but I must admit that I don’t care for the layout these days and I am happy to shop online so everything on this guide is available at Amazon.com.  I suggest you check out other online options for price comparisons but don’t forget to evaluate shipping costs in your price comparisons.  You can also do a price comparison at the Time to Play website for some items.

See Part 1 - Little Ones - Baby, Toddler and Pre-School here.

Older Kids – Kindergarten and Up

31 inch Spiderman Action Figure and More by Hasbro

Spider-Man 31 inch Action Figure by Hasbro – This action Figure is over 2 ½ feet tall and it will equally appeal to a 2 year old, 20 year old and 42 year old Spiderman fan.  It makes a great room decoration for a young Spiderman fan and a conversation piece for an older one. Could become a classic collector's item - grown men seem to love it too. Big Bang Theory anyone?

Super Hero Mashers from Hasbro

Super Hero Mashers from Hasbro You need more than one of these to enjoy the concept. All the parts are removable so you can swap parts from other Super Hero Mashers figures and change out weapons that each super hero has.  Kids love these as they design their own Super Hero.  If your grandchild already has some of these, chances are there are some additional ones on his holiday list. My grandson's list includes Hulk, Iron Man and Thor to add to his collection.  I can't wait to see which super heroes he creates on his own.

Go! Go! Swimmer Girl Suzi's Story Sports Doll and Book Set

Go! Go! Sports Dolls and Book Set – These dolls are designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and realistic body shapes for girls. As of this writing Amazon has Soccer Cassie, Swimmer Suzi, Tennis Gracie, Dancer M.C., Runner Ella and Softball Sam.  Perfect for athletic graddaughters. New this year they come with a book.

 LEGO Juniors TMNT Lair

LEGO –  There are so many Lego sets that it is hard to suggest just a few.  Here a few of my favorites:

Lego Juniors Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lair  - Lego Juniors are a new product designed for that in between age when kids are outgrowing DUPLO and regular LEGOs may be a bit too difficult for them.  Designed for ages 4 – 7.

LEGO Friends Jungle Rescue Base

LEGO Friends Jungle Rescue -  The fairly new LEGO Friends line has themes and colors designed to appeal to girls.  It is receiving rave reviews from girls, parents and grandparents.  This set is new this year and 5 star ratings all the way at Amazon and ToysRUs.

LEGO Chima Flying Phoenix Fire Temple Building Toy

LEGO Chima Flying Phoenix Fire Temple Building Toy - This super big complex LEGO set is for older kids with serious interest in LEGOs.  It has 1301 pieces. I saw it put together at Toy Fair NY in February and it is gorgeous.  When completed, it will be a proud accomplishment. 

It can be like the crown jewel of LEGOs for an older child but if you give it to a young child you will have an unhappy parent and a frustrated child.

Doh Vinci Style & Store Vanity Design Kit

Doh Vinci Style & Store Vanity Design Kit - I have small play doh containers for young children on Halloween but older girls love play doh too and want them rather than candy.  This is for girls 8 and up.  Younger kids will have some trouble managing it.  You use the air-dry design compound and styler tool to create designs with 3D lines. Let the compound harden overnight for a beautiful, keepable, giftable creation. Great gift for kids who love crafts and art projects.  The styler could also make for excellent party crafts for small groups.  

I have absolutely NO artistic skill - as shown in this picture - but I enjoyed the project and it made me remember craft projects I put together for sleepover parties for my daughter.

I "designed" this frame with the Deluxe Styler

Virtual Design Pro Fashion Collection by Crayola

Virtual Design Sets from Crayola – There are two sets – Pro Car Collection and the Pro Fashion Collection.  These are a lot more than colored pencil sets.  Each includes a design book and an app that can be used on a smartphone or tablet with special software that brings the designs to life on a virtual stunt course or fashion runway.  A true 21^st century twist on a tried and true item that older kids enjoy.  You will send a message to your grandkids with this gift that you are a 21st century grandparent.

Virtual Design Pro Car Collection

Check back soon - Next category up - Games.

What do you recommend as gifts for this age group?  Let us know in the comments.

Marion