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Senior Times - January 2025 Page 15Batt el Creek Housing Commiss oi nKELLOGG MANOR%u2022 Studio & One Bedroom Apartments%u2022 Located on Public Bus Line%u2022 Residents%u2019 Community Room%u2022 Some Garages Available/Pkg. Next to Bldg.%u2022 Antenna & Cable Options%u2022 Pet Friendly Building%u2022 Utilities Included/Online Rent Payment Option%u2022 Secured Building Entry/Brick ConstructionCHERRY HILL MANOR%u2022 One Bedroom Apartments%u2022 Located on Public Bus Line%u2022 Residents%u2019 Community Rm & Meals%u2022 Computer/Card Game Rm./Library%u2022 Parking next to Building%u2022 Antenna & Cable Options %u2022 Pet Friendly Building%u2022 Utilities included/Online Rent Payment Option%u2022 Secured Building Entry/Brick ConstructionSENIOR HOUSINGThe Battle Creek Housing Commission Provides SeniorsComfortable Living at an Affordable Price!Cherry Hill ManorLocated at 10 Clay St.Kellogg ManorLocated at 250 Champion St.APPLY AT 250 Champion St.Monday-Friday7am-noon or 1-4pm965-0591www.battlecreekhousing.orgBATTLE CREEK HOUSING COMMISSIONTHESTAFF ATEVERGREENARE THEof HEALTHCAREHEROES111 EVERGREEN ROAD, SPRINGFIELD, MI 49037269-969-6110 | www.evergreenscc.comFACILITY FEATURES:Rehab to HomePhysical, Occupational and Speech Therapy ServicesLong-Term Skilled NursingRespite CareAdmissions 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a weekPrivate Rooms AvailableCable and Wi-FiAs we look to our past it is always valuable to experience the present as well as to create hope for the future. Grand children are a way to just that. With the birth of a new life comes renewed joy but also renewed purpose. And best of all%u2026 you%u2019re adult children think you have all the answers again. Wink. Wink. For me, I treasure watching my grand daughters grow and experience new things daily. I am thrilled to be a part of that journey. Even though there is a new-fangled gadget for just about everything there is much that will always be the same. Most importantly, lots of love and giggles.How can grand parents make the time they spend with the grand children more treasured? By being intentional with activities and flexible all at the same time. The beautiful truth is that as grand parents we know that most things will all work out, even if they get diaper rash, a bump on the noggin, get licked in the face by the dog, get downright filthy playing in the mud or covered in paint. As long as the grand children know they are safe with you they are more likely to try new things or explore new ways of using materials. Keep the kids from getting bored by just being creative. This could be a great learning experience for both of you and be lots of fun at the same time. Get out the crayons, markers, coloring books, colored paper, paints, glittered glue, trinkets from around the house, or chalk for the driveway. Don%u2019t forget about photos. Scrapbooking provides a lot of time for creating new memories while relishing old ones. Or find a large jar to put memories in from every time they visit. For now, our journal is on my cell phone and includes almost daily photos. I love it! Any game that requires reasoning skills is good for them and fun too. What about dancing to silly songs, creating hand motions, or making up new ones. The standbys of old such as blocks of all kinds, puzzles, board games, and card games can add fun as well. It just has to be right for their age. Check the box for clues. I remember learning to play Kanasta, Hearts, Pinnocle, and more at my grand parents. I really loved learning about strategy, and how to work with a partner to win. Even chores can be made fun when done right. How about washing the car, and playing in the water for a bit of fun. Helping with planting the garden and watching it flourish and grow can help them to learn about the fruits of their labor so to speak. Cooking is a great activity to do with your grand children. It%u2019s an opportunity to learn and to pass down your favorite recipes. Keep in mind that getting out of the house can be fun too. Explore, take walks, build a snowman, go sledding, visit the zoo or park. Learn something from everywhere you go and mark it down in that scrapbook that you are making together, complete with several photos from your journey that day. As the kids get older they might get involved in school activities. Try and make it when you can. Support them. What about taking them to a professional event in a field of their interest. Do they love the stage? Take them to a local play. If sports are more their thing, a trip to a baseball game might be in order. Young history buffs might enjoy exploring a museum with you. Things that some children might find boring can be very exciting when it's something they love. Lets not forget technology. My grand daughters are already fond of their ipads that they use to Facetime their parents and grands parents. But the ipad is also good for learning and a great movie or two. Keep these activities in your back pocket until you need them. Because older kids have grown up with technology, many have developed a proficiency with it that they can share with you. Ask them to help you set up a Facebook account if you don%u2019t already have one. It is a great way to keep in touch with them once its done, especially if they live far away. Even playing video games or can be a fun experience with the grand children.One way to spend time with your grand children is to have them help you discover technology. Have a plan, or be spontaneous. Either way, enjoy your grand children%u2019s visits. This special time together will strengthen your bond and create wonderful memories.PRIORITIZING FAMILY TIME %u2013 EXPANDING YOUR LEGACYBy: Sherii Sherban, Publisher