“What are we doing today at Mimi’s?” This is a question I hear often from Rowan and Eden and also, the neighborhood children. School is finished and summertime activities have begun at Mimi’s house. Warm weather is here and that means bubbles, water balloons, splash pads, science experiments, and more ways to have fun.
Last week, I found instructions on how to make a bird feeder with oranges, granola, popcorn, and peanut butter. You may wonder why I would choose such a sticky and messy activity. The laughter that filled the house and the smiles of Rowan and Eden were great prizes even as we made a huge mess in the kitchen.
Bop had purchased two oranges at the grocery store. One for our project and one to eat. Always being safe first, I cut the orange in the middle which gave a half for each child. With paper towels ready for clean-up and the kids standing where they could see everything happening with our project, we were ready for the activity to begin.
“Mimi, what are you doing? Why do you have an orange?” Five and ¾ years old Rowan spoke first.
“Mimi, orange?” Two years old Eden spoke next.
I began to explain how we would make granola from the ingredients and then, fill the orange halves. But, first I had to scoop the “pulp” out of the orange. What an experience! This particular orange was filled with major pulp. The more I scooped with the spoon, the more juice squirted all over the kitchen counter and onto our clothes and hands.
Giggles started. We all laughed at the mess Mimi was making.
Next, we needed granola bites and popcorn to be ground up a little bit smaller. Bringing out the blender, Rowan immediately asked if he could push the button. Eden knows blenders are loud. “It’s too loud, Mimi.” She spoke before I had plugged in the machine.
“No worries Eden. Rowan can push the button. We’ll cover our ears.” Eden instantly placed her little hands over her ears even though the machine wasn’t turned on yet.
When I added a couple of granola bites to the blender and secured the top, I told Rowan to push the button. He smiled and placed his finger on the pulser. With a few taps, we had granola to mix with the peanut butter.
All ears were uncovered and the blender was put in the sink to wash at a later time. Now we could mix the rest of the ingredients to make our homemade meal for the birds.
Reaching our hands into the bowl, we mushed and squeezed the peanut butter and granola together.
The giggles started as we noticed the icky and gooey mess sticking to our fingers. “Mimi, how are we going to get this stuff off?” Rowan inquired.
Eden looked at me and started to stick a little finger in her mouth so she could taste the bird treats. “Wait, Eden, wait. I’ll get you another snack. This one is for the birds.”
With a grin, she proceeded to wipe her messy fingers on her shirt.
The bird feeder treat was ready to spoon and place in the oranges. Bop had prepared the oranges with teeny holes in each side. We filled the oranges and gave them to Bop to hang in the tree.
A fun and simple, or maybe not so simple, activity that brought laughter and joy. A bit of a mess, but sometimes fun involves making a mess.
Later in the day, after the new bird feeders were filled and hung, Rowan, Eden, and I looked out of the playroom/office window. Downy woodpeckers enjoying the treats we had made for them.
Every day, we look for the birds. We’ve also had bluebirds visiting our homemade feeders.
What a joy to have fun projects! We learn and laugh together. Sometimes we get messy and that’s okay.
Have you enjoyed any homemade creations lately? Share with us. You may inspire others.
Blessings and giggles,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson
What a sweet story. Brings memories of times in the kitchen with my own grandchildren and making space ships out of cardboard boxes on the deck. Lots of giggles – good for the soul.
Thank you so much Carol. Yes, those are precious memories. The simplest things can bring great joy. Have a blessed day! 🙂
I smiled, laughed a few times, and even thanked God for the intentional ways you shower His love onto your grandchildren. Thank you for bringing a smile this morning ma’am.
Thank you dear friend. I’m glad to provide some smiles this morning. Rowan and Eden will be here tomorrow and I’m looking forward to new projects. Have a blessed day! 🙂
I’m taking grandma lessons from you!
Love this! I know your little grand will be happy to have projects with you and Norm. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
This is wonderful, Melissa. I’m happy you’re able to create these beautiful memories with your grandchildren. Enjoy the summer!❤️
Thank you so much Jill. Life is good with the grandkids. 🙂 Have a blessed week! 🙂
What fun! I could see it as you described it.
Thank you. Tomorrow will be another day filled with fun activities. I’m not sure which activity we’ll choose, but I know there will be giggles. Have a blessed week! 🙂
You’re the best Mimi!! Thanks for sharing this delightful story.
Aww…. thank you! Have a blessed week! 🙂
I love your stories with your grands. I look forward to making bird feeders with GrandDamien when he gets a little older. ❤️
Thank you Karen. GrandDamien will love making messes. haha! Have a blessed week! 🙂 Hugs!
What a fun project! Sometimes the fun and together time is with the mess. 🙂
Yes, a fun project! I don’t mind the messes because messes usually mean giggles. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
LOL I enjoyed learning about your fun day with the grandchildren. Your descriptions were wonderful. I could see it happening in my mind. I love how you do projects and learning activities with your inquisitive young people. 🙂
Thank you Michelle. Rowan and Eden teach me great lessons. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Stories about your grandchildren are always so delightful. You are clearly a wonderful grandmother. They are so blessed to have you, as you are to have them.
Melinda, I appreciate your kindness. I am blessed to be able to share time with those grandkids and the neighborhood children. Have a blessed week! 🙂
I always love your posts about the activities you do with your grandkids. It makes me wish mine were still little. 😉 Making wild bird food sounds great.
Thank you June. Fun times with Rowan and Eden. They will be here tomorrow and I’m getting supplies ready. Have a blessed week dear friend! 🙂
Looks like a great activity, Melissa. Your family is blessed through you. Thanks and God bless!
Thank you Nancy. My family blesses me in every moment. Lots of fun activities ready for tomorrow. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Such a touching story! I know your grandkids are filling up with a treasure of memories about simple joy… all with their sweet Mimi!
Thank you Jessica. Today, we made homemade puffy paint. Lots of giggles and a big mess. But, the pictures are beautiful. Have a blessed week! 🙂
What fun! Your message gifted me with smiles and a new activity for me to do with my grandchildren. Thank you, Melissa!
Yes, lots of fun! Yesterday, we made puffy paint. Today, we will find other fun projects that bring smiles and laughter. Have fun with your grandchildren. Have a blessed day! 🙂
I love these homemade bird feeders! I think I’ll have to try making them, too. And your story reminds me that it is in the messiness of life, not the perfection, that brings out the most joy.
I hope you get to make the feeders soon. Lots of fun! Yes, sometimes the messiness of life brings joy. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Making sweet memories like this one have long-term effects that teach children to laugh, love, and share life with others. Good job, Mimi!
Thank you Jeannie. Today, we’re going to paint and have a picnic. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Sorry to be so late–I have been on vacation. I’m glad I didn’t miss your post here. You and the children will always have good memories to feast on. Memories and messes go together well! You are such a creative Mimi! Have a blessed week! xoxo
Thank you Karen. Hope you enjoyed a wonderful vacation. The grandkids will be here today and I’m sure we’ll have a fun project. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Melissa, I love how intentional you are with your grands. This sounds like it must have been such a fun activity to share together.
Thank you Jeanne. Sharing time with our grands truly blesses Alan and me. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Oohhh…you just gave me an idea! Maybe, this type of bird feeder will deter the squirrel–which traveled quite a distance for the bird feed my hubby placed outside my office window.Thanks! Continue the fun times with the little ones!
Sorry the squirrel is causing troubles. Hope the orange feeder works. We don’t know until we try. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂