The smooth and gritty, but sweet taste of peanut butter and whipped cream will always remind me of my Grandparents and the huge peanut butter ice cream sundaes in fancy glass goblets that they let me order as a kid. Those hot dusty campout days were often followed by glorious trips to our favorite ice cream place.
We loved camping out with them and, whether they loved it or not, there were not many summers we weren't invited to go with them on some campout or another. Whether riding bikes, making smores, or playing with the dog with Grandpa, or swimming, reading books or making swaps with Grandma – those were the best days of our summer!
Looking back, I think it may have been the time invested more than anything. We felt special because we got to go with them, do _______ with them, enjoy ice cream with them. Time and memories are precious gifts.
It wasn't the camping, it was the investment of time that made us feel special.
If you are a grandparent:
Have you camped with your grandchildren? Maybe you're not the camping type, What else can you do to enjoy them? To spend time with them? To tell them “you are special to me.”? What is it that, when they are adults, will always remind them of you, of time spent together and lessons learned?
If you're thinking about making memories with your grandkids, here are some links that offer great ideas and resources. I invite you to check them out.
- How to Host a Cousin Camp
- How to Tent Camp with Grandchildren
- 5 Tips for a Successful Camping Trip with Grandkids
- 10 Camping Commandments for Grandkids
- 16 Ways to be a Great Grandmother
- How to Love your Young and Adult Grandchildren
- 21 Ways to Create Happiness
- My “Grandparenting” Pinterest boards have lots of other encouragement!