Family Night

ceramics

2009-12-28T15:07:00.000-08:00

We got a great family gift this Christmas! We were given a huge block of clay! Some family members work ceramics and even have their own kiln. Since they need to fire many pieces at once, they wanted us to join in! So after opening our gifts, we dug into the clay! We have several pieces drying, waiting to be fired then painted. This is a wonderful way to spend many family nights together!

low key holidays

2009-12-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

As everyone around us hustles and bustles around in preparation for the holidays, our family kept a low profile yesterday. Our family gathered yesterday to celebrate being together. It is our first Christmas without Granny and we did not want to give up getting together, but did not want to make a big ordeal out of it either. We ate sandwiches and chips, played games and only the youngest kids were given gifts. All in all it was a good day and the stress level was kept to a minimum, reminding us all what is really important.

500 sack lunches

2009-12-02T12:53:00.001-08:00

In conjunction with a church mission, our family is helping to put together 500 sack lunches for those living on the streets in the inner city. Doing service projects together as a family is a great way to spend time as a family. It teaches your family values in a way that words cannot. It lets your kids see others who are not as blessed as they are. It gives them a chance to think beyond themselves. Whether serving sack lunches or handing out clothes or buying Christmas gifts, there are lots of ways that families can work together to help other families.

church

2009-11-25T14:31:00.000-08:00

Attending church together as a family is always important to me. I think attending together sends an important message to the kids. During the holiday seasons, there are many worship services offered that are geared to giving thanks and remembering Jesus' birth. Going to church together to participate in these types of worship services is a very beneficial family activity.

puzzle

2009-11-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

Putting a puzzle together has long been a favorite past time for our family. Even though the kids are older now, putting together a challenging puzzle is fun. Finding one that provides a challenge but does not take forever to put together is the perfect fit. Families with children of all ages can benefit from a quiet evening doing a puzzle together. It is great for dexterity, problem solving and spending time together. It allows a place for interaction and conversation. Or even some great background music. Puzzles are a great family activity!

sitting around the fire

2009-11-01T20:16:00.000-08:00

There is just something magical about sitting around a fire. And doing it together as a family brings the magic home to you all. It is amazing to share this mystical experience with your children. Sitting around the fire is relaxing, it provides an excellent place to talk. With the shield of dark surrounding you inhibitions can be forgotten and teens can open up. Little ones can enjoy the magic dance of the flames (so can the older ones!) It is the perfect backdrop for storytelling. All ages love roasting marshmallows too. Whether it's an all out camp fire, a fire pit in the yard, or a cozy fire in the fireplace, sitting around the fire together makes an excellent family night activity.

high school football game

2009-10-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

Going to a local high school football game is a great outing for many families. Rates should be fairly affordable, at least cheaper than a movie. You can see a fun sporting event and watch a great half time show. It's fun to root for the local team and see many friends.

watching tv

2009-10-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

I don't recommend too much tv watching, but I feel like doing it together is the best way for families to view today's programs. This applies to families with teens as well. We still like to watch shows with our teens (no televisions in any bedrooms) and then are able to discuss characters, their actions and any consequences shown or not shown. Watching tv as a family is a good way to reinforce family values.

Wii

2009-09-28T11:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter has been campaigning for a Wii since last year. She asked for one last Christmas. She has asked for one again this year. Then she hit me right where she knew would make a difference to me. She said "A Wii would be perfect for family nights!" She knows I am not into video games, but I am into family. A family playing together is always good. And kids love it when they can beat the parents at something!

out for breakfast

2009-09-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you gotta take "family night" when you can get it. Today, our son's school had "late arrival" day (the high schools don't do early releases, instead they have late arrivals.) So we went out together as a family for breakfast. We don't do that often and the kids all thought it was a real treat!

snow cones

2009-09-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

As summer draws to a close, it's not too late to enjoy an icy treat! Kids love the refreshing treat. You can find tons of flavors from which to choose. It's fairly cheap. A nice way to spend a late summer afternoon or evening.

improv theater

2009-09-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

We found a family friendly improv theater nearby. We took our kid's and a friend to their FREE anniversary night. We had lots of fun watching the impromptu skits, which included audience participation. We had lots of laughter. The skits were followed by karaoke singing. This was great family entertainment!

dinner with friends

2009-08-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

We were blessed to have some friends over for dinner last night. They spent all summer overseas. We loved hearing how some of our friends and family are doing. We loved hearing all the stories. We loved seeing the pictures. We are happy are friends are back home.

just talk

2009-08-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

In our most recent family meeting, it was brought up that as parents, we only talk to our kids about things we are reading, hearing, worrying about. That we don't "just talk" about random everyday things. We try to make every conversation into a teachable moment (yes, we do!) But it sounded as if the kids really just want some plain old chatting too. Leave the lessons behind from time to time and just talk.

Shakespeare Festival

2009-08-03T16:01:00.001-07:00

Miller Outdoor Theater in Houston, TX. has begun their 2009 Shakespeare Festival. Showing on alternate nights are Twelfth Night and Pericles. These performances are free and begin at 8:30 nightly. The shows keep to Shakespeare's scripts, but I've heard they may be presented in their own unique way!

hard rock cafe

2009-07-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a lunch at Hard Rock Cafe yesterday. Eating with three teens, this seemed to be the perfect lunch choice. There was something on the menu for everyone. And there were more selections than I thought there would be. The ambiance was perfect for the kids. They enjoyed the music videos, hearing songs from Guitar Hero and seeing the icons on the walls and in the trivia book. Our waiter was very nice, pretty cool, though I would preferred him not to curse. The food was good too. We went early enough that we beat the crowd and really enjoyed ourselves. It is a fun place for families with kids of all ages.

Astro's Kids Free Tickets

2009-07-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today we got adult tickets to the Astro's game. With each ticket, two kids were admitted free. Each kid also got a free hot dog and coke. Then after the game, they got to go on the field and run the bases! This is very affordable family fun for all ages!

food pantry

2009-06-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

A local food pantry is looking for volunteers tomorrow from noon to four. I am hoping to make this a family affair. I want to go for a couple of hours and show the kids that it is important to help the community. And this is a good and easy way to do so. I think it is something we can do together, even my son with his broken collar bone.

beach clean up

2009-06-17T12:56:00.001-07:00

This Saturday at Menard Park in Galveston, there will be a beach clean up day from 9am til noon. Set up starts at 8:30. Cleaning begins at 9. Afterward there will be live music, a barbecue, pictures and cool surf prizes. There will also be a paddle out. Those without surf boards can rent one at Ohanas. The party lasts til 2pm. If my kids were here I would love to go. Maybe they will have beach clean up parties again!

build a sandcastle

2009-06-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

As summer is upon us, one of the favorite past-times of many families is a day at the beach. Whether you live near the coast, or just have access to a sand box, building sandcastles together is lots of fun for kids and adults alike. You can find plastic tools to help make the job easier. You can add accessories like seashells, flags, sticks, and cars to make your castle even more fun. Playing in the sand with your kids can make you feel like a kid again!

Destination Dinners

2009-06-04T19:42:00.001-07:00

I learned about a great way to incorporate virtual field trips into family night! Destination Dinners are prepackaged boxes which contain spices and recipes for creating meals from other countries. Included in the packages are also some fact sheets about the country which the dinners represent. These meals feed four to six people and start at $25. You can feast on fare from countries like Japan, Korea, Thailand, Lebanon, Israel, Jamaica and even the U.S. This seems like a fun way to spend family night!

archaeological dig

2009-05-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

I learned about an opportunity to be a part of one this summer. Located outside of San Antonio at Rancho de las Cabras, Floresville, Texas, there are three FREE dig days being offered! Saturday June 13, Saturday August 29, Saturday October 3 from 8:30 am- 2:00 pm is a great chance to dig for fossils and artifacts! This is sponsored by the UTSA Center for Archaeological Research and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park at this 18th century Spanish Mission Ranch. There is also a scout day being offered in November. Ages ten and up are allowed, with those sixteen and under requiring adult supervision and one adult per every three children. You need to bring your own lunch and snacks, water and digging tools will be provided.

Call 210-932-1002 ext 223 or e-mail Krystal_Fleeger@nps.gov for more
information and to reserve your spot!

backyard volleyball

2009-05-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

We were able to enjoy a rousing game of backyard volleyball this week! Rather than set up a proper net, we just used the swing set as our net and set some "out" boundaries. With older kids, we played the first match kids vs. parents. Next, mother and son vs. father and daughter. Then, girls vs. boys. All in all a great night of family fun. This could work well with preschool and school aged children, just adjust the game to fit your families ages by setting lower nets and smaller courts as needed.

neighborhood pool

2009-05-17T14:39:00.001-07:00

Last night we were able to go to our neighborhood pool for a little while. It is a great place for families with kids of any age. There is a kiddie pool for the littlest ones. There are lifeguards on duty. There is a deep end with diving boards. The pool was not crowded and we all enjoyed the time just swimming and playing. It was good to just spend some time enjoying a little safe rough housing and laughter.

auditions

2009-05-09T16:37:00.001-07:00

My children have often auditioned for parts in a children's theater program. One family we know loves to come to both audition nights for cheap family entertainment. What a great idea! Even if your kids don't want to try out for a part, it is fun to watch all the kids get up and give their audition. It takes a lot of courage and who knows, maybe it will inspire your own kids!