Grandparents Doing Cool Things: Making Memories With Pancakes

From cheering them on at a basketball game to hosting an impromptu slumber party, there are many ways for grandparents to have fun with their grandchildren. Some grandparents take it further – finding ways to share their talents with interactive creations. Today’s Transitions is spotlighting  some creative grandparents to hopefully inspire others to look to see what special gifts they can pass along to a new generation.

David Slade is a grandparent with a penchant for cooking and crafts. He is a grandfather to five grandchildren who affectionately call him Puppy. When he was a little boy, a day at his grandparent’s house always started with David and his grandfather making pancakes. They would come up with names for their pancakes and a detailed story about each. Those memories stuck with David, so much so that he couldn’t wait for the day that he could pass this tradition down to his own grandchildren.

As soon as his grandkids could talk, David began asking them to help make pancakes. The kids would help mix up the batter and then flip through their favorite comic books or fairytales and pick out a character to create. He would use candy, fruit, and even marshmallows to make each detailed pancake creation. These cherished memories made such an impression on him and his grandchildren that he wrote a book, Puppy’s Pancakes, which is a collection of these character pancake recipes. David hopes this book will encourage the growth of a special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. “The highly interactive process of creating these special pancakes not only leads to something delicious but also feeds directly into the wildest of childhood imaginations,” says David.

So have the griddle and spatula ready the next time the grandkids visit, who knows what yummy creations you might cook up.

Puppy’s Pancakes is available at Authorhouse, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

By Lindsay McDonald

Are you a grandparent that is doing cool things with your grandkids? Tell us about it by emailing lindsay@todaysmedianow.com.

P.S. Celebrate your heart.