Did you know, I’m hosting the Unplug & Play summit in our community next month? Designed to help families reconnect, the summit features a range of presentations for everyone. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be introducing our speakers. Let’s start with @Anna Murrietta The smallest moments often become a child’s biggest memories. That simple belief is what inspired Anna Murrietta to create Grandparents Corner—a growing community dedicated to helping grandparents discover simple ways to create meaningful connection, one small moment at a time. As a grandmother herself, Anna has learned that children rarely remember everything we buy for them—but they never forget how we made them feel. Meaningful connection isn’t built through elaborate plans or expensive experiences. It’s created through intentional moments: a bedtime story, a shared laugh, a handwritten note, a favorite book read together, or a phone call simply to say, “I was thinking about you today.” Through Grandparents Corner, Anna helps grandparents discover simple ways to become an intentional presence in the lives of the children they love through books, shared experiences, conversation, and everyday moments of connection. Her approach reminds families that meaningful connection isn’t about doing more—it’s about being intentional with the moments they already have. In her session, Small Moments, Big Connections, Anna will share practical, screen-light ideas that families can begin using immediately to strengthen relationships, create meaningful connection, and make everyday moments count. Because meaningful connection doesn’t just happen. It’s something we create—one small moment at a time. What’s one question about grandparenting you’d like to ask Anna?

What a week for Connected Through Play! 24 brilliant people just joined us, and the energy is already incredible! @Kaitlyn Fair is a stay-at-home homeschooling mom with a 3-year-old and an almost 5-year-old, looking for ways to keep them engaged through play. @Samantha Cross has three daughters (8, 13, and 16, the youngest has ASD) and wants fresh ideas to keep them entertained. @Lauren O'Rourke has a 1-year-old adventurer and a super-smart 3-year-old girl and is always hunting for new activities. @Lyndal P homeschools her two kids and is excited to teach academic and life skills through play you may want to connect with @Kaitlyn Fair, @Samantha Cross, and @Lauren O'Rourke, who are all navigating similar journeys. @Shelly Boyes is a Specialist Learning Support teacher in a rural primary school (working with 5-11 year olds) and always seeking new resources to keep kids curious. @Tania Petrone works with kids in Italy and loves food, wine, dogs, creativity, and spirituality. @Natalee Pinnock helps Christian women grow in spiritual maturity and leadership she has a 7-year-old plus three nephews and two godchildren, and wants great activities for their get-togethers. @Sarah O Toole has two toddlers and wants to spend more meaningful time with them. @Biyinzika Joshua runs Grace for Africa child care orphanage in Uganda with his father, providing orphaned children with school fees, food, and basic needs. @Neha Verma is a day home educator with curious kids who loves practical experiments. @Lani Carey began homeschooling in 1990 and now has grandkids nearby who are homeschooled, she's passionate about how children learn, the value of play, and relaxed homeschooling. Side note: Lani was also our counselor when I was homeschooling!

Did you know our community member @Heather Wilson puts out an ezine, “Skool Events Daily” where members highlight what events are taking place in their communities this week? It looks like @Anna Murrietta founder of Grandparents Corner and Unplug & Play is featured along with @Celia Kibler founder of Be a Better Parent. Celia is also a speaker at the Unplug & Play Summit and both ladies regularly participate in our community. Why not reach out and say, “Hi!” Here is the link to this weeks latest edition https://designrr.page/?id=510061&token=2139127060&type=FP&h=5852

Children can become dangerously overheated much faster than adults. Their bodies don’t regulate heat as efficiently, which means a fun afternoon outside can turn into a medical emergency much more quickly than many parents realize. As temperatures rise, a few simple habits can make all the difference: 💧 Offer water often, even before they’re thirsty. 🌳 Take frequent breaks in the shade. 💦 Use spray bottles, sprinklers, or cool wet towels to help lower body temperature. 👒 Dress them in lightweight, light-colored clothing and hats. 🚫 Never leave a child in a parked car, not even for a minute. Most importantly, know the warning signs. ⚠️ Heat Exhaustion: heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, weakness, pale or clammy skin. 🚨 Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency): high body temperature, confusion, hot or dry skin, rapid pulse, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If you suspect heat stroke, call 911 immediately and begin cooling the child while waiting for help. Children depend on us to recognize the signs before they can. A few extra minutes of prevention can save a life. Let’s help our kids enjoy summer safely. ❤️ Share this graphic with a parent, grandparent, coach, babysitter, or anyone caring for children this season. It may be information they need today.

Sometimes the best childhood memories aren’t made in perfectly clean clothes, they’re made in muddy puddles, backyard adventures, and laughter that echoes long after bath time. When children dig, splash, squish, build, and explore, they’re doing so much more than making a mess. They’re: 🤎 Strengthening their immune systems. 🤎 Developing creativity and problem-solving skills.🤎 Building confidence through exploration. 🤎 Improving balance, coordination, and sensory development. 🤎 Reducing stress while regulating their nervous system. 🤎 Creating joyful memories they’ll carry for a lifetime. The research is clear: unstructured outdoor play supports healthier brains, healthier bodies, and happier kids. So today, resist the urge to keep everything spotless. Childhood isn’t meant to stay clean. Sometimes the mud washes off… The memories never do. ❤️ let’s go play in the mud. You can join them, you know. 😁 What’s the messiest adventure your child has ever had? We’d love to hear about it!