Perhaps you are having grandchildren or your friends children spend a few days with you. If so, I have some great ideas about entertaining them and at the same time, this is an opportunity to spend time with them.

Go out and find an inexpensive photo album for each child. Just get a medium sized one and something colorful that will catch their eye. Also, buy a frame for each child (optional). This project can be called, 'My Christmas Vacation" or "My Vacation Visit with Grandma" or whatever you want to name it. Kids are creative and they may come up with something great and want to name the project. This is even better.

Next, if you have a digital camera, take a pictue each day of their activites that day. My husband and I would sometimes get the camera out before they get out of bed, while they were sleepily clutching their stuffed animals. Sometimes our dog, Sunny would be in bed with them.

It's amazing how many things you can think of to snap. How about when they go next door to see the new kittens or helping you cook in the kitchen? I like to buy matching outfits for my two granddaughters (they are cousins) or matching pajamas. This makes a great photo.

If you do not have a digital camera, this project will take more patience, but it could be done. I haven't had film developed in a long time, but maybe it wouldn't be too expensive to have a 24 hour time frame for having the pictures developed.

If you have a digital camera, you can print the pictures out daily and let the child insert them in the album each day. Make this a daily fun thing that they can look forward to. You can make this as simple or more detailed as you desire. For instance, maybe the child would like to write something next to the pictues or insert dried flowers. However, if you just go with the photos and nothing extra, it will still be great!

As an extra special touch, the child can pick out his favorite picture and frame it in the frame you have previously purchased. He or she will LOVE choosing his/her BEST picture!

I believe this project teaches patience because it wouldn't be finished until the end of the week or whatever time frame you have projected. It also helps the child to see and remember the wonderful moments of the vacation/visit with you.

This would work well with Christmas Vacation also. Think of all the new toys and clothes you could photograph. I think this makes the child feel thankful. As my 6 year old granddaughter said to me, "this is the best vacation I have ever had!"

Francine Larson is the co-author of Character Keys to a Bright Future and is presently completely her second book. She writes poetry, short stories and articles, also. Contact information for monthly newsletter is: Threeteacherpress@verizon.net. Visit her web site at: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso4qht or http://mysite.verizon.net/reso4qht/franniesfinewordsfromtheheart

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