technorati claim

well, I've never made a Technorati Profile for my blogs before. if you don't know what that is, get one of your teens to explain it to you! :)

Take a Cruise

Having just returned from our first cruise (alone), we have decided that our next cruise will be with the kids. It will be a wonderful adventure for the family. There is much to do on board the ship, times where you can all be together and even time for the kids and parents to do some things on their own. There are things like swimming, classes, crafts, rock climbing and other sports (depending on availability), an arcade. Of course, with older kids, they will love the "freedom" to roam around, play, swim, make new friends, eat whenever they want, and still leave time to hang out with the family as well. And the shore excursions will provide some incredible family time as well. A cruise could make a wonderful family vacation.

Scuba Diving

While on our cruise, my husband and I took a discover scuba diving class. We decided that this would be a great idea for a family activity. Since our youngest is old enough to get certified, we are really wanting to pursue this and the kids are game. It is an amazing experience. The weightless feeling, the beauty of the underwater world, the relaxation provide such a great environment for a family to revel in God's beauty beneath the surface. This also makes a great family activity because everyone is able to do it together, and yet on your own. There is no competition and everyone can enjoy and benefit from this incredible adventure.

Maternity Insurance

As a mother, I know how expensive it can be to have a baby. It can bring stress to an otherwise joyous time in a couple's life. In particular, to those who do not have Pregnancy Care insurance, this can bring many concerns about how to pay for the pregnancy and its related costs. I know these feelings personally. So when I heard about the Maternity Card, I had to share it here with you. This card offers relief from costs associated with pregnancy and provides savings on these outrageous expenses. You can call a consultant today and within 15 minutes, you could possibly be saving thousands of dollars off your pregnancy costs.

Thank you for reading this sponsored post.

Jellystone Park Campground

There is one half an hour away from us. They offer tent camping, RV camping as well as a number of cabins. There is a large pool along with a water park. There is volleyball and basketball and ice cream socials. Fishing for patrons is free in the fishing pond, or walk the nature trails, or enjoy mini-golf. It seems this campground is a great family getaway.

Take a Poll

Did you know that a new feature on this blog is the ability to make polls? This could be a fun family activity. Ask the kids to come up with questions to ask other families. You can add answers from which others can choose. It could be fun for you to both come up with the polls as well as check out the results in a few days. Check out the new poll at the bottom of this page.

catching fireflies

Another absolute favorite summertime pasttime of the by gone days is the simple pleasure of catching fireflies.

Many of us today live in neighborhoods where it would be impossible to see a firefly even if they were around. But if you get the chance to go off somewhere, maybe camping or a family reunion "away" from town, be sure to take a jar or "bug catcher" for your kids to catch some of this "lightening".

A few years ago we went camping and my kids were thrilled to capture some of these little critters for an evening. We went down a secluded path in some trees within the campground. It was amazing to see the path lit up with the fireflies. The kids had to have a jar to bring some back to our camp spot.

*You may need insect repellent to complete this excursion*

Charades

Of course I can't leave Charades off the parlor games list! This is a game known by many people. Our family used to play this more when the kids were little, though it would be easier to play now that they are older and more capable of acting out the titles, as well as knowing more titles.

Charades is easy for any age to play and can be fun. Do watch for frustration from the younger players though, as they do no know many of the titles as others, and can also have a hard time acting out each word of the title (ours would more likely act out a scene from the movie.

In Charades, you can act out either a song, book title or movie title. You may only act, no words allowed. (some allow sounds, just establish this before the game) First, you need to establish what it is you are acting out, a song, book or movie. Use a hand symbol to show this. Next, hold up however many fingers to represent how many words are in the title. Finally, you do whatever it takes to get the other players to say the word you are looking for. You can do a "sounds like" word as well. If it helps, you can break your word into syllables as well.

Skate In

Do you remember the days of skating through the house?

Although I don't have a Hardwood Floor anywhere in my house, I've heard some folks who do have this type flooring say this is a sure fire trick to liven up a hot summer day or a snow-bound day.

Make sure your floor is relatively clutter free. Everyone dons a pair of socks. Then let the Skate Day begin. You get a semi-running start and then slide around on the floor. This may also help to pick up any dust that has collected, helping Mom out in the process! :)

Thank you for reading this sponsored post.

Make Lemonade

Summertime is the perfect time to make a batch of good old fashioned lemonade. I don't mean the artificially colored powdered drink mix from the grocery store. No, teach your kids how to make fresh squeezed, delicious, old-fashioned lemonde.

Squeeze enough lemons to get one cup of juice. Depending on the size of the lemons will determine how many lemons you need, I usually use about eight small ones. Add one cup of sugar and fill a container with enough water to make 2 quarts. Chill.

For special occasions you can add slices of lemon, strawberries or raspberries.

This makes a delicious summertime treat.

(and save the powdered drink mix for a lemonade stand!) :)

And Now I Would Like To Thank a Sponser

Last week, when I returned home from an out of town trip, the little girl across the street brought me my mail. She carried in a large box and I couldn't wait to see what it contained. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a box from PayPerPost.

When I opened it, I remembered a post I had done for withcharacterkids.com . I was pleased to find in this box a really great diaper bag. This bag is VERY nice! My neice who was visiting at the time said "That doesn't look like a diaper bag. That is nice!"

I was also thrilled to receive a T shirt from PayPerPost.

Not only did I make money writing for the sponser, I was doubly repaid with the great gifts!

Thank you withcharacterkids and PayPerPost!