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ELF LONG DISTANCE ART PROJECT
Who: Younger grandkids Time: 10 minutes Cost: $1.00
Kids love to draw, they love to use their imaginations, and they love to be silly. Start a line drawing with just a few strokes. Monsters are a favorite, so draw just part of the head, with big teeth. Include a couple of written lines to start the story such as “there was a big eyed monster, and he lived in a lake near the town.”
Then mail the picture and story to your grandchild and ask him or her to add to the story and the drawing, and to mail it back to you. You can keep the story going for several cycles, and you will both be surprised what comes out. This activity is good for children’s imaginations and collaboration skills. It can also be done in person at your home if you live nearby.
Who: Mature grandkids and teens Time: 15 minutes Cost: $1.00 - $2.00
Send a copy of a piece of art to an older grandchild (this is especially provocative if you happen to like modern art). Include a note telling a little bit about the artist and why you like the piece. Ask them what they see in the picture, or to send you a copy of a piece that they like along with an explanation of what they see in it and why they like it. Don’t be surprised if you get something slightly shocking, they may be trying to get a reaction, but so what? You have started a dialogue.
Be very calm and objective. Return your thoughts and comments along with a new picture. This activity might help a teenager open up to art, and it could also help develop an exchange of feelings and thoughts that your teenage grandchild cannot express in everyday circumstances. Since art is subjective, you can validate the feelings of your grandchild without agreeing with their analysis.
Great Truths About Life That Children Have Learned
* No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize a cat. Kim, age 8
* When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair. Tammy, age 9
* If your sister hits you, don’t hit back. They always catch the second person. Al, age 11
ELF VALENTINES DAY TREATS
Who: Younger grandkids Time: 20 min. prep Cost: $ 6
In the Kitchen: HEART TREATS
¼ cup butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows*
5 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies®
food coloring
tube of decorating icing with fine tip
heart-shaped cookie cutter**
Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Stirring constantly, cook 3 minutes longer over low heat. Stir in a few drops of red food coloring for pink hearts. Remove from heat. Add cereal and stir until well-coated. Using a buttered or silicone spatula or waxed paper, press the mixture into (9"x13"x2") pan that has been coated with cooking spray or greased with butter. Allow mixture to cool slightly. Cut into hearts using heart-shaped cutter**. Use icing to decorate and write love messages, e.g. HUGS, XOXO, MOM, I♥U.
Yield: 10-12 servings. (Makes 12 – 14 heart treats.) Supervise children so no one gets burned. These are best when served the same day as they are made.
*Note: Marshmallows should be fresh and soft for best results. You may substitute a (10-oz.) package of regular-sized marshmallows (about 40), OR 1 (7-oz.) jar of marshmallow crème.
**If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, or if you want to have extras for more kids to use, you can easily make one from a tuna can: Cut both ends from can. File down any poking remnant from the lids to assure safety. Scrub can well with hot soapy water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Mold can into heart shape by pressing in on each edge opposite the seam. This can also be used to cut heart-shaped gelatin, or heart biscuits, or as a mold for heart eggs or pancakes….
Actually, these treats can be adapted for any holiday. Just change the food coloring and the cookie cutter shape and decorations!
Who: Older grandkids / teens Time: 25 min prep. Cost: $ 6
In the Kitchen: SUPER KISSES
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup light Karo® corn syrup
Pam® / cooking spray
¼ cup cocoa
1 ½ cups peanut butter
½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
6 cups Kellogg’s® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate candy melts, optional
4 funnels
quart jars—to hold funnels
Aluminum foil
1 yard of 1" ribbon
permanent marker
Prepare funnel ‘molds’: wash and dry thoroughly. Place in quart jars to hold stable. Spray inside funnels with cooking spray.
In saucepan, bring syrup, cocoa and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut butter. Mix well, and add Cocoa Krispies®. Stir until well-coated and pack tightly into prepared funnels, leveling off the top. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, section off enough ribbon for each kiss and cut. With a marker, write a secret love-note on left-hand side; then write: SUPER KISS on the right-hand side. Unmold ‘super kisses’.
If desired, melt chocolate in microwave or in double boiler over warm water on the stove. Drizzle or spread melted chocolate over ‘super kisses’. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens. Place each kiss with wide part in the center of a square of aluminum foil and wrap tightly, tucking in ribbon at the top—allowing the SUPER KISS tail to stream out the top. Makes 4 Super-sized chocolate ‘Kisses’. May vary depending on sizes of funnels.
Stray Thoughts
* The reason that grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy!
* Grandmas are not fading and shrinking, they are merely getting more concentrated.
* When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window. (Ogden Nash) About The Author: You can find additional activities and learn more about 52 ELF Activities to Make You the Best Grandparent at http://www.52elf.com - Authors David and Naomi Brisco have written a new book titled 52 ELF* Activities to Make You the Best Grandparent - *Easy, Low-cost, and Fun once-a-week activities and ideas to connect you with your grandkids. This article includes activities from their new book, including some Valentines Day treats to make with (or for) the grandkids.
David believes that we are all interested in creative ways to do things “faster, easier, and cheaper,” which was the spark for the 52 ELF series. Naomi is a portrait artist and the most creative person you will ever know. David and Naomi hope to write a whole slew of 52 ELF books and welcome your suggestions, comments, and input for new ideas, columns, and titles. You can find their website at www.52elf.com.
52 ELF has a simple premise… grandparenting is fun, whether it is by phone, by mail, or in person. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or do complicated or difficult things to enjoy your grandkids, just spending time together is a joy. David and Naomi would love to hear your suggestions for future columns, including ideas for connecting with teenage grandkids. The most important thing is to realize that your grandkids like you, love you, and want to connect with you. What more could you ask for?
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