by dsonnenfeld | Nov 27, 2016 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR DISABILITIES
While there are quite a few things Grampy can’t do anymore, there are still plenty of things he can do! He attends the grandchildren’s special occasions and cheers them on!
Here’s Samantha at one of her many ice skating competitions.
No one is more fun in the pool than Grampy with Olivia!
Grampy likes to go to the zoo and see the Polar Bear and butterflies.
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What could be more fun than chasing the girls around Build A Bear Workshop all afternoon?
Grampy can’t read word for word, but he can look at the pictures and tell a 
great story, like this grandpa does. Click on the picture and get your grandchildren a great personalized book!
What can I say? Animals don’t lie!
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
by dsonnenfeld | Nov 27, 2016 | LITTLE HELPERS FROM THE PANEL OF EXPERTS
give the gift of adventure
Olivia
As promised and anticipated, here it is – real help from the experts. We have “Special” days when only one grandchild comes over and spends the whole day and night. For example, when it’s Samantha’s special day, we go where Samantha wants to go, we watch on TV what Samantha wants to watch on TV, we eat what Samantha wants to eat and we play what Samantha wants to play. As my little angels are growing and participating in more activities, our special days are becoming fewer and farther between. I cherish every minute I can get.
Alexandria Samantha Natalie
Disney Personalized Books and Gifts
SAMANTHA (Sami)
Samantha is nine years old and very caring and lovable. She always makes sure everyone else is taken care of, especially her Grampy. Samantha is also a very talented ice skater and cheerleader and just got A’s on both her Social Studies and Science tests. Here is some advice from Samantha.
special days
It seems like there aren’t enough gifts for ice skaters available. Here’s a good one. Disney Frozen Silver-Tone Clear Crystal Iceskate Pendant from Walmart. Click on the pendant.
by Samantha
When your granddaughter has a special day with you, you could take her to the ice rink. Also, here are things they might like to play with at a pool. They might go to a store called Pool Town. Here are some of the things we like to get from Pool Town: Blow up animals that you can sit on in the pool and float. A big “human hamster” wheel you can sit and flip in.
You could also get diving rings. Those are some of the things you could do in the summer. Some things you could do in the winter are go to the skating rink, movies, play house, play store (we always play Nino’s, a store Grammy likes to go to). And the thing we love most is our salon. You and your granddaughter can create a salon in your basement if you have extra room down there.
ALEXANDRIA (Alli)
Alexandria is Samantha’s twin. She is about the most determined little girl I know. She is a dancer and cheerleader. Aside from doing well in school, her days and weeks are filled with endless practices. She’s determined and she’s good! Here is some expert advice from Alexandria.
TUMBLING
by Alexandria
Did your granddaughter ever do tumbling before? If she didn’t then she should try it because there are so many things you can do when you tumble. Tumbling is best at Tilt Tumble and Cheer, where I go. You can probably get a skill in two or three weeks if you go to one or two classes during the week. Open gym is on Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. It’s important to practice. You can tumble on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you don’t live near Tilt Tumble and Cheer, find a nice gym in your area. Here’s a picture of Grampy and me after one of my many dance recitals.
NATALIE
Well, this whole grandparent business started with Natalie almost 11 years ago. Natalie is a cheerleader and very smart. When I get stuck on something (like getting photos onto this website), I go to my ten year old angel for help. Here is some expert advice from Natalie.
HOLIDAY GIFT ADVICE
By Natalie
Little girls can be hard to buy for, but I can help you decide what will be from you under the Christmas tree this year. A lot of girls are into the new DreamWorks movie, Trolls. You can get Troll dolls from Walmart, ToysRUs, etc. Also, now there are a lot of cheerleader programs and a lot of cheerleaders. 
Most cheerleaders LOVE big bows. At Claire’s there are Jojo bows and those are very popular. Some stores that are “in” right now are Justice, Claire’s, Abercrombie, and Ivivva. Disney is also releasing a new movie, Moana. Moana products are now being sold at the Disney Store. Tsum Tsums are also popular from Disney. These are some gift ideas for little girls between 5 and 11 years old.
OLIVIA`
Olivia just turned two and is learning to talk very quickly. She could probably give expert advice on wrapping Grammy and Grampy around her little finger, but I’m sure you all already know all about that. She spends most of her time just being cute!
GiftedandTalented.com – WHere Kids Become Extraordinary
BEING AN ARTIST
by Olivia
Olivia can’t write or type yet, but she did ask me to pass on this advice. If you don’t have a paint brush, just use your hands and feet like she did here. 
Oh – and Olivia loves stickers! – and paint!
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
by dsonnenfeld | Nov 27, 2016 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR HEALTHY EATING
![]("//beacon.affil.walmart.com/beacon.gif?et=imgbanner&affs=p&src=http%3A%2F%2Flinksynergy.walmart.com%2Ffs-<br)
My mom and my daughter’s mother in law both gave me peppers and tomatoes from their gardens. My peppers and tomatoes didn’t do so well this year, but my cucumbers, chive and basil (Natalie’s favorite) did. Way too many peppers and tomatoes to eat by themselves, so I came up with “WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THESE PEPPERS AND TOMATOES SALSA.” I had a few friends over for a barbeque and served it with tortilla chips. I’ll give you the same warning I gave them – have your drink ready – this is not for amateurs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THESE PEPPERS AND TOMATOES SALSA”
INGREDIENTS:
Green peppers
Yellow peppers
Jalapeno peppers
Tomatoes
Basil
Chive
Red onion
Oregano
Italian dressing
Kosher salt
Ground Pepper
Chop everything up and mix it together. Make sure you mix this a couple hours ahead of time and refrigerate. If you leave the seeds in the jalapenos, it will be hotter. I left the seeds in the small jalapenos, but not in the bigger peppers. Serve with tortilla chips, but remember to have your drink ready – this is not for amateurs.
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
by dsonnenfeld | Nov 27, 2016 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR COOKING WITH THE KIDS
Not that kind of stoned! Come on now, we’re grandparents (shame on you). Grow up already! Remember when you a little kid, the story “Stone Soup”? It was about three travelers with nothing to eat. They traveled through a poor village and told the villagers they could make a wonderful soup with stones. The soup would be much better though if they had some carrots, and maybe a wee bit of onions, and maybe some—you get the idea. Anyway, as poor as the villagers were, each managed to contribute a little something to the soup and it turned out delicious, unknowingly to the villagers, without any help from the stone. THAT’S the kind of stoned I mean! (Don’t you feel silly now)?
I told my babies this story and they loved it. I usually use a small red potato or radish for the stones. Turns out to be the best kid friendly, budget friendly recipe ever! They do the mixing, you do the “stove” part. Use your wise judgment for the “chopping with a knife” part.
STONE SOUP
INGREDIENTS:
Start with as much broth or bouillon as you want
Add whatever you have:
carrots celery corn peas green beans
tomatoes peppers oregano V8 juice peas
zucchini squash onion garlic basil
mixed vegetables noodles rice okra
broccoli
To be fair and keep the peace, the babies take turns choosing what we have for dinner. It was my little angel Samantha’s turn to pick and she wanted Stone Soup. Well, it was July and her mommy explained to her that was probably too hot to have soup for dinner. That’s when Stone Salad was born!
![salad-thumb2510766[1]](http://grammyslittlehelpers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/salad-thumb25107661-e1475157850791-300x278.jpg)
STONE SALAD
INGREDIENTS:
Start with your favorite lettuce. I usually use head or romaine, or spinach
Add whatever you have:
tomatoes cucumber shredded carrots celery
red onion bamboo shoots pea pods radishes
chow mein noodles croutons sunflower seeds almonds
beets peppers pickles olives dried cherries mandarine oranges
feta cheese blue cheese any kind of shredded cheese
Pour on the dressing you got at the $1 sale
Also try:
STONE FRUIT SALAD
INGREDIENTS:
Lettuce is optional, as are all ingredients. Try mixing three or more of these in a bowl:
apples mandarin oranges bananas strawberries blueberries
raspberries blackberries mini marshmellows nuts kiwi pears
watermelon cantalope honey dew melon pineapple peaches
grapes raisins dried cherries dried cranberries coconut flakes
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
![More Storytime Recipes – YUM!!!!!!!!!!]()
by dsonnenfeld | Nov 27, 2016 | LITTLE HELPERS FOR COOKING WITH THE KIDS
As long as we’re on stories, what about that Sam I Am? Isn’t great that the Dr. Seuss stories we enjoyed as kids are still around for our grandchildren?
GREEN EGGS and HAM
INGREDIENTS:
Eggs
Ham
Butter
Blue or green food coloring
You can figure out the rest!
Alli and Lambie prefer “Pink Eggs and Ham!”
I do so like Green Eggs and Ham. Thank you, thank you, Sam I Am!
GUMBO FOR A PRINCESS!!! 
How about a movie this time? Disney’s The Princess and the Frog is about a young lady who is determined to open her own restaurant and cook up the best gumbo her daddy ever had!
I, personally don’t like seafood, so for a variety of gumbo recipes check out The Food Network’s website at www.foodnetwork.com. We used Emeril Lagasse’s easy Smoked Sausage and Chicken Gumbo, but you pick the one you like best from over 100 gumbo recipes. Just looking at that website makes me hungry!
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped bell peppers
1 pound smoked sausage, such as andouille or kielbasa, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
3 bay leaves
6 cups chicken broth
1 pound boneless chicken meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon Rustic Rub, recipe follows
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon file powder
Rustic Rub:
8 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons cayenne
5 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
6 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons onion powder
6 tablespoons salt
2 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 1/2 tablespoons dried thyme
Directions
-
- Combine the oil and flour in a large cast iron or enameled cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat. Stirring slowly and constantly for 20 to 25 minutes, make a dark brown roux, the color of chocolate. Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers and continue to stir for 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Add the sausage, salt, cayenne, and bay leaves. Continue to stir for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth. Stir until the roux mixture and water are well combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
- Season the chicken with the rub and add to the pot. Simmer for 2 hours. Skim off any fat that rises to the surface. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parsley, green onions, and file powder. Remove the bay leaves and serve in deep bowls.
Rustic Rub:
- Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container.
debbie@grammyslittlehelpers.com
While there are quite a few things Grampy can’t do anymore, there are still plenty of things he can do! He attends the grandchildren’s special occasions and cheers them on!
Here’s Samantha at one of her many ice skating competitions.
No one is more fun in the pool than Grampy with Olivia!
.
What could be more fun than chasing the girls around Build A Bear Workshop all afternoon?
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