Spring is here . . . I think.  I hope no more snowstorms are in our forecast!  (Might even be summer because it was so hot yesterday!)

This activity lets you enjoy the beautiful weather while spending quality time with a grandchild.

The Alphabet Game
Invite one of your grandchildren over for an afternoon.  Grab your digital camera and take a walk around your neighborhood –or go to a park, the mall, a farmer’s market, or a yard sale.  Whatever.

Take a picture of something that starts with the letter A then something that starts with the letter B.  Continue until both you and your grandchild have taken a picture for every letter of the alphabet.

You don’t have to be ‘literal’ in your picture taking (e.g. a ball for the letter B).  Be creative!  For the letter C, your granddaughter could take a picture of an outfit that she really likes in a store window which would stand for ‘cute.’ A junk heap of a car could be ‘broken’ for the letter B.  Cookies at the bakery could be Y for ‘yummy.’  Or a bed (as in the picture here) could be ‘sleep’ for the letter S.

When you are finished, print the pictures and put them in plastic sheet protectors and then in a binder.  You now have your own alphabet book.  Keep a copy so you can read it to your other grandchildren and give a copy to the granddaughter with whom you did this activity.  She could read it to her younger siblings or keep as a memento from spending time with you.

When you are finished, fix something yummy to eat.

Variation #1
If your grandchild lives far away, you could each still take pictures for the alphabet.  On the first day, exchange through e-mail your picture for the letter A.  The next day, send your B picture, and so on until you have shared a picture for every letter of the alphabet.  Send a picture of some cookies for a ‘virtual’ treat.

Variation #2
If you have several grandchildren that live close by, ask them to take their alphabet pictures and print them.  Then, have a family get together.  Have your grandchildren spread their pictures on the kitchen table with all of the A pictures together, then the B pictures next, etc.  Then, give everyone a paper and pencil.  Have them look at the pictures and write down what they think the picture stands for.  (If someone took a picture of a dog and it was for the letter P, they might write down the word ‘pet.’)  Give a prize to the person that got the most right.

Afterward, serve this Brownie Trifle.

Easy Brownie Trifle

1 package brownie mix
1 large package chocolate fudge instant pudding mix
1 package English Toffee Bits
1 (16 ounce) Cool Whip

Make brownies and cool.  Cut into one inch squares.  Make the pudding.  Place half of the brownies in the bottom of a large bowl.  Pour half of the pudding mix on top.  Cover with half of the Cool Whip.  Sprinkle half of the Toffee Bits over Cool Whip.  Repeat layers.  Cover and refrigerate.  Enjoy!