My in-laws are back.
Have I ever mentioned that I'm a little crazy about them...as in a lot crazy about them?
They arrived with all their grandparent magic, including a huge stack of games and puzzles with which to entertain the children.
You need to know that when these people leave to go back to Oklahoma, I usually throw myself around their legs and weep and cry until one of the neighbors has mercy on me and aims a tranquilizer dart into my hindquarters.
Okay, that's a little bit of an exaggeration.
But not by much.
This trip, my mom-in-law, MiMi, brought some reading puzzles with her that she used in her early teaching days.
I absolutely love these little guys. They were produced in the late 1950's-early 1960's, just a simple design where the kids match the picture on the disc to the word underneath each opening.
The artwork is wonderful, those Dick and Jane style illustrations with bright colors and cheery designs.
Oh, and just a tip...when you're shopping for in-laws, the retired school teachers/elementary school principals are extremely handy. Just thought I should mention it.
All the kids love playing with these early reading games. And it's comforting to see that even in this high-technology age, even with kids who've been raised on video games and computer programs and DVD units, it's the simple things that can really capture that attention.
Well, that and a completely enthralled, fully engaged, total attention-paying MiMi...
That might help just a little...
And now to announce the winner of the Making Me Giveaway! Drum roll please!.....
Random.org has selected....The Future France Family! Julie B. Carr has also graciously said that if the winner would prefer the Countdown to My Birth calendar instead, she would be happy to accommodate! So make your choice and let me know! And congratulations!
I love board games, how fun!! Congrats to The Future France Family!! :)
ReplyDeleteWe had one of those wooden puzzles, too, growing up. I've seen them now, but they are laminate on I don't even know what sort of non-wood product, and I guess the result is the same, but somehow it loses something to me.
ReplyDeleteooh, i love those puzzles. what a wonderful teaching tool.
ReplyDeleteLove the puzzles! We have a MiMi as well! And is just as wonderful as your MiMi sounds!
ReplyDeleteWhat great puzzles and grandparents!!
ReplyDeleteI love any kind of puzzles. Your Mimi sounds alot like how my great-grandmother was.
ReplyDeleteWe have that nurturing bond between my mother and our children. It is something to be so grateful for, even though they live so far way. (Mine are in NH.) Every time NanaJane comes to visit, she brings something wonderful to help them learn new things. She takes the time to give each of mine extra attention, one-on-one.
ReplyDeleteGrandparents like that are such a blessing! It's great to see you honor Mimi like you are.
- Julia
In-Laws are magic! Sounds like yours are almost as wonderful as mine :) We are blessed to live close enough that they can take each grandchild for a one on one birthday sleep over. Even my oldest would be devastated if they didn't get to have their sleep over with Grandpa and Grandma.
ReplyDeleteI love grandparents for all the reasons you just stated. I wish ours lived closer. It's so nice to have more loving adults to give the kids one-on-one time, especially when it is educational!
ReplyDeletemy MIL is Mimi too. And I absolutely adore those puzzles. LL is a puzzle fanatic and I am in love with old school toys. I guess I will need to search eBay now.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful how much to love and admire your in-laws.
Your in-laws sound great. I wish I could be that lucky! I just love your photography too. It's so engaging! these will be great to have as the kids grow up!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I look at my spotty kitchen faucet, I think of your Father-in-Law =-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your visit! .. as if there were any other option =-)
Your Mimi reminds me of my grandma--what a sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteI won??!?? I am sooo excited!! But I didnt enter the giveaway!?!??! Plus is it bad that I dont have any kids yet!?!?! How do I contact you?!?!?
ReplyDeleteThanks sooo much!!!
Those games are so adorable. What great in-laws. :)
ReplyDeleteNeat-o! What a blessing to have such grand in-laws! :-) Say, we made your flaxseed cookies! :) Thanks for the recipe...my dd wasn't sure about them, but the rest of us gobbled them down! I did end up making a second batch that we tweaked a little...you can check out my post today, if interested! I will be making these again!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Very cool games and once again beautiful photos!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so envious of the awesome grandparents!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful grandmother and mother-in-law! These reading games look like fun, especially with the MiMi unit attached!
ReplyDeleteRoban
Great puzzles! And those in-laws look like an awesome deal!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be so blessed to have them still here and able to come and spend time with the children. Looks like everyone had a great time.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have such a great relationship with your inlaws.
ReplyDeleteLOVELY photos!
I just LOVe those old books and puzzles from that generation! My grandfather was a teacher and I still have all of his old books and used them while teaching the kids (lots of actual Dick & Jane books from the 50s)
Those are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI knew there was some giveaway I was supposed to be doing something about. Stupid ditzy pregnant brain!
ReplyDeleteThose games look great, don't you love it when learning is fun so they forget they are learning!
It is nice to see them playing with something that doesn't require electric or batteries.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure to have all those old puzzles. I swear my grandkids will get nothing old as I am always purging......stuff, not food. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I have the first puzzle pictured. (the nouns) I didn't realize there were others that survived all these years. Love these nostalgia items.
ReplyDelete