Sounds like a busy and fun three weeks for them. you are very good grandparents! However, you will need a nap once they go home. Enjoy!

Love this!

What a wonderful experience for everyone!

Awww... love it. I can tell how much you cherish these times ❤️

They are so cute Trail! Enjoy your time together ❤️

They're precious! It's going to be a lovely summer!

Thank you! they are great kiddos. They flew alone from ATL to Houston Hobby on Delta in May to visit for 11 days all new to them extended family. They really are seasoned travelers. They have been staying with us for extended visits since they were newborns . It is a great experience for all of us. ❤️

Awww.....so very sweet!

$30 water toy!

Look at those precious grands! Enjoy it all...how wonderful!

So sweet. 💕

So nice. Lucky you to have 3 weeks!

@mtnrdredux_gw they would love that and I always have cardboard! They make big arrangements in a large vase for the gazebo table. We will try this idea and post it. 🙏

Tappy makes pancakes with helpers ahead of time so that the AM isn’t quite so hectic . They are pros with utensils and measuring.

How wonderful for you all. I absolutely love the fact that they meditate!

What a wonderful experience for all involved - grandkids, parents and grandparents.

Love the cooking classes and meditation. Those pancakes look perfect!!

@orchidrain Viv started meditating 2 yrs ago at 6 . Lennox is just starting at 6. They choose the time of day and length, usually 10 min . Viv uses it as a rest/ decompression time whenever she feels she needs it. We’ve explained long ago that there are no rules it is their practice.

What a wonderful time for all of you, enjoy!! I love that they meditate, too. Such a valuable life tool. Imagine our world if we had all learned to meditate as children.

@mtnrdredux_gw - I saved the "cardboard flower walk" idea also to do with my grandson (we make little presents for his mom every few weeks). I wish I could preserve the final result. They look so pretty!

@Still trailing - adorable grand kiddos! Have fun!

What beautiful children! Such wonderful memories you all will hold forever!

@dani_m08 .Yes, it is is a shame they are so very ephemeral!

Who else wants to go to camp at Trail's?

Busy bees! Camp, journaling, cooking, medidation. What a packed day. I remember coming home at the end of the day from camp and collapsing.

As much as I love the baby / toddler / preschool ages I am so looking forward to doing a wider variety of activities when they are older, like yours. They look like they are having the time of their lives!

Aren't grandchildren grand?! I love that they meditate-might have to try that with our grandchildren. Did you start that with them or did their parents get them started? Journaling is wonderful. I bought one for each of our girls, but have not given them to them yet.

I know the next three weeks will be marvelous for all of you.

Beautiful children and beautiful memories being created. Enjoy your time with them. I miss those days with our grands.

@cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA) DH and I have meditated regularly since 2010. We would talk to our own children about it and our son Garett went on retreats , 2 with DH , and did take an interest off and on over the years. DD and her DH talked about it but haven’t ever started. Oldest DS again was somewhat interested but never tried and DGS has tried a few times.

These grands are just at a sweet spot in all our lives and are benefitting.🙏c

I’m curious, do they use crystals as well?

@bpath I don’t know anything about crystals in relation to meditation . We practice Vipassana Meditation as taught by Goenka.

The kiddos have the electic candles because their other grandma gave them each one. In our practice we don’t center our attention on anything but the breath and silence so nothing to look at or listen to which would distract. Of course at this point the littles they are finding their way . ❤️❤️

Here is the simplest explanation for adults :

Practical Tips to Get Started

• Set a realistic time: Start with 10 to 15 minutes a day, and gradually work your way up to an hour as you build your concentration. [1, 2]
• Maintain stillness: Try to sit as still as possible to help you notice subtle sensations, though you can adjust if you feel physical pain
• Anchor with the breath (Anapana): Before diving into deep insight, steady your mind by observing your natural breath. Focus purely on the air passing in and out of your nostrils, or the rising and falling of your abdomen. Do not alter or force your breathing. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• Scan the body: Once your mind is calm, shift your attention to the top of your scalp. Slowly and systematically move your attention down through your body—part by part—to your toes. [1, 2, 3]
• Observe with equanimity: As you scan, notice any sensations that arise (e.g., tingling, warmth, pain, or itchiness). Observe them objectively. Do not cling to pleasant sensations or push away unpleasant ones; simply acknowledge them and let them pass, recognizing their impermanent nature.

@Still trailing....I've been practicing Vipassana meditation for a few months now and trying to incorporate it into my daily life. Slowly, I'm making progress in my meditation and my mindfulness. Watching the monks recent travels in the Walk for Peace sparked my journey. I follow them on FB to remind myself every day to practice.

I should really encourage my grands to start, as I believe they would truly benefit. Wouldn't it be nice if it were offered as a course in schools!

That is wonderful that you have started a practice. Your grands would benefit as do almost everyone that starts a practice. Some schools as well as prisons have meditation set ups.

Todays foodie task. Pasta! They have done ice cream, pancakes and now pasta. Kids seem to eat better when they have hands on .

Oh yeah, I wanna come to summercamp at Trail’s too ! If I leave cville early I can be there to watch the bubbles form on the pancakes.

Teaching kids to meditate is really something. It’s both more active and passive than the prayer I did in Catholic school as a kid.

oh, I have and a&c project to share with the other campers

Will message you when the next batch of pancakes is in the works! ❤️

how did you do the fish? beautiful

Fish are watercolor, doodles really but I’d like to do more fish images— lots of possibilities. Here‘s a lovely piece painted by Sarah Yeoman

First week of Boxerwood Nature Center camp complete. It’s 103° heat index right now. They are keeping each other company under the shade tree with the bird feeder above ” in case they come see us” . Viv is doing water colors @Kswl. ❤️ Lennox is watching cooking videos. Precious children. c