Connecting with Grandkids (Plus a Recipe They’ll Love)

Being a grandma is amazing! It’s joy wrapped up in little arms and a smiling face coming through your door.

When you’re a grandma, you get to step back from all that day-to-day “stuff” that parents have to deal with. We’ve been through it. We understand how harried a parent’s life can be. We get it that your kids drive you nuts some days—remember, we were in your shoes once, and you were the one driving us nuts (but, you see, we love you anyway).

Even with their quirks and bad moods, temper tantrums and bouts of bossiness. Even when they seem a little… unlovable, all that stuff just sort of slips to the background when it comes to our grandkids. Most often it’s because we don’t see those little buggers every day.

Staying connected and being an important part of our grandkids’ lives is easier than ever thanks to social media. But wouldn’t it be great for our grandkids to get something from us in the mail? Not their email inbox or a social media shout-out, but an actual honest-to-goodness piece of mail they get out of their mailbox and hold in their hands. They’d love it!

So, get out a sheet of paper and write to them today! Or better yet, send something a little less lengthy and a whole lot more fun! Pick up a book of these whimsical postcards, designed especially for grandma to send to the little ones in her life. Each card is different and provides a cute a way for you to stay connected.

If you want to make a lasting impression on your grandkids, send them some mail!

And then be sure to bake something for them when they visit. Here’s a yummy little tidbit that’s sure to please every grandchild, regardless of their age.

Surprise Inside Oatmeal Cream Grahams
Makes 36

Ingredients:
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
¾ C. sugar, divided
4 tsp. vanilla, divided
1 C. butter, softened
1½ C. brown sugar
2 T. cinnamon, divided
3 eggs
2 C. finely crushed graham crackers
1½ C. flour
2½ C. quick-cooking rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt

Directions:
In a small bowl, blend cream cheese, ¼ cup of the sugar, and 2 teaspoons of the vanilla until well mixed; refrigerate until needed.

Preheat your oven to 350˚. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a big mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of the cinnamon, and the remaining ½ cup sugar on medium-high speed until creamy. Add the eggs and the remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla, beating until well blended.

In another big bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Gradually add to the butter mixture, beating until combined. Shape the dough into balls about 1½” in diameter. Make a deep well in the center of each dough ball and place about 1 teaspoon of the chilled cream cheese mixture in each. Press the dough around the center until the filling is completely covered. Transfer to a tray or pan and freeze for 5 minutes.

Arrange the chilled dough balls on the prepped baking sheets and bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let set for a couple of minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool.