Grand time

Hug a grandma Sunday: Sunday is National Grandparents Day, set aside for children and grandparents to celebrate their special bond. Looking for special generational family activities to share? Take a tip from Phil Waldrep, author of The Grandparent Factor (Baxter Press; $19.95):

• Plant a family seed: Work together to fill in a family tree.

• Pretend to be a reporter: Using a video camera or cassette recorder, have grandchildren interview a grandparent about his/her life.

• Set up a photo shop: Together, write names on the back of old family photos. This will give grandparents a chance to preserve family history by relating information about the family.

• Arts and crafts: Parents can help the younger children draw grandma and grandpa.

For more ideas, visit www.grandparents-day.com.

Siting

Love that Web: Preparing to pop the question but don't know how? Read about how other guys did it. You'll find hundreds of proposal ideas, along with kissing tips, love trivia, date suggestions and romantic poetry on www.theromantic.com, a site maintained by author Michael Webb.

Family time

Big break: Going through a divorce? Don't forget to consider the impact on your children. A class, Divorce Recovery for Children, Sept. 10 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, may be of help. The class, which is free and open to kids in two classes, ages 5-6 and 7-8, will address changes in the family, feelings and fears the children might have. Deadline for registration is Monday; 891-8181.

Borrow some deals

And all for free: Sign up for a library card in Kenton County in September and you'll get more than free access to books, magazines, CDs and videotapes.

When you get your card you'll get a free key ring pouch, a chance to win a riverboat cruise at Tall Stacks, and discounts at Walt's Hitching Post, Pasquale's in Independence, the Blue Marble Children's Bookstore, Reality Tuesday Cafe, and Devou Park Golf Course all month.

Details: (859) 962-4060, (859) 962-4000 or (859) 962-4030, or visit www.kenton.lib.ky.us.

Shelf help

Speaking of books: Babies don't come with instruction manuals, so new parents often turn to experts for advice. Here's some straight skinny, courtesy of your favorite bookstore. Spots, Birthmarks and Rashes, (Firefly Books; $12.95) details symptoms, treatment and possible prevention of children's skin problems. Pee, Poop and Potty Training, (Firefly Books; $12.95) offers toilet-training techniques. Hop, Skip & Jump (Firefly Books; $12.95) gives exercises and games created to develop a child's strength, posture and balancing skills. All will be available in October.

Send items for On the Fridge to Barbara Lowell at blowell@enquirer.com or call 768-8380.