As grandparents, many of us have memories we wish we could show our grandchildren.

We remember the way their parent ran through the backyard in rubber boots after a summer rain, dragged a favorite blanket from room to room, performed a dance in the living room, or smiled proudly after learning to ride a bike. Sometimes, as we tell those stories, we find ourselves saying, “Oh, how I wish I had a picture of that.”

Every summer, I run Camp Carma for one wonderful, wild, joy-filled week with my grandkids.

And by “camp,” I do not mean cabins, counselors, and a lake with questionable canoe rules. I mean a week of backyard adventures, kitchen experiments, story time, crafts, giggles, snacks, surprises, and the occasional moment when I wonder why I thought glitter was a good idea.

But here is what I have learned: children do not need complicated activities to have unforgettable fun.

The ideas in this blog are tried and true from Camp Carma. They have been tested by real kids, real messes, real laughter, and real “Can we do that again?” requests.

In 1976, America turned 200. This year, she turns 250. And somewhere in between those two milestones… is me.

Do you remember the red, white, and blue summer of 1976, when America turned 200?

Maybe there were flags everywhere: hanging from porches, lining parade routes, printed on T-shirts, paper plates, and picnic napkins. Maybe you watched fireworks with your family, attended a hometown parade, wore something patriotic, or saved a Bicentennial keepsake without realizing it would one day become part of your own history.

What makes a summer magical for a child? Sometimes it is not the big trip or the packed calendar. Sometimes it is a backyard at dusk, a good book, a firefly in the grass, and a s’more by the fire. In this heartfelt CJ Corki blog, Carlene reflects on why simple summer moments may be the ones children remember most.

Every year on Father’s Day, families gather to celebrate the men who helped shape their lives. While gifts, cookouts, and family photos are wonderful traditions, the true impact of a father often cannot be wrapped in a box or captured in a picture. A father’s greatest gift is usually something much deeper  the character and values he passes down through everyday moments.

There’s a feeling floating around in 2026 that’s hard to describe but once you notice it, you see it everywhere. It’s in the music, the way people are posting online, the humor that’s making a comeback, and even in how we’re choosing to spend our time. It feels lighter. Less curated. More real.

The doily is back in a big way, showing up in home décor, party tables, and crafts. See how grandmas can enjoy this charming trend, use it in fresh ways, and share it with the next generation.