Scrabble

My sister and I have always enjoyed playing games together. One of our favorites now days is Scrabble. We love to pass the time visiting and trying to get a good score in a Scrabble game. We just enjoy it. We love it even more when everyone else plays with us too. My parents and sometimes my kids will play. On rare occasions my husband has been known to play. This past week, my young nephews even got in on the game! They teamed up with someone and we all had a great time. One of the silly fun things we have done in the past is to decorate our little wooden "benches" that the letters sit on. We now have eight of those from combining two sets (no, we did not combine the letters.) It was so cute to see the little boys decorate their own this last week-a part of the tradition!

puppet show

I came across the blog of a young mother this week who had just witnessed her kids perform their first home puppet show. It brought back memories for me! When my kids were younger, they would often get their puppets and stuffed animals and even homemade puppets together to put on a show for me and my husband. They may or may not have practiced and there may or may not have been a storyline and/or plot. But they were fun!

You can get a big cardboard box to make a puppet stage. You can turn a card table on its side or let the kids get behind a chair or couch. Then let their imagination take over!

little things

Sometimes it's the little things that count. My middle sister is here right now and she, my mom, my daughter and I just enjoyed a "girl's night out", of sorts. We were heading over to the sporting good store, but they were closed, so we stopped by Wendy's for chocolate treats, Frosties, etc...It wasn't long, but it never is when she is home. We always just enjoy the chance to be together for however long we can.

Prince Caspian

We have not yet been to see the latest in the saga of the Chronicles of Narnia. We love the books and know that soon we will be to see the new film. I am hopeful that it will make a great family night, complete with cousins, grandparents and an aunt from overseas. The Chronicles of Narnia have been the subject of many a family night in my home, both as a child and as a parent.

family vacation

With summer right around the corner, many families are beginning to plan their summer activities and vacations. I know for our family, vacations and spending time together are important, especially as the kids get older. Right now, many families may have to be cutting back on their travel plans as gas and food prices rise constantly. Going places closer to home, or doing things like camping out seem to be a little more affordable options for some families. I did just find out about another option that some families may be interested in. I had not heard of Vacation Loans per se before, but it seems like a way to help some families be able to get some money together so they don't have to put off this year's vacation. You can get up to $1000 wired directly to your savings or checking account to help you add a little more enjoyment to your summer plans.

The Play's the Thing

One thing we have enjoyed in the past as a family is watching plays. We find local plays at colleges or go into the city to see an Off Broadway play. We have enjoyed both levels. But some of my favorite plays to watch are the ones my family have performed in. Both my kids and my husband have been in local productions. Before our son was born, my husband performed with a small local community theater. After our son was born, it was not a conducive atmosphere and my husband did not perform again for many years.

When my son was 12, both he and my husband appeared in Oliver! and a few years later my daughter and husband performed in Annie Warbucks. It has become a fun family affair!

Tennis Anyone?

This past week, my older nephew bought some tennis balls and brought them to my house. He has been wanting me to play with him, but we'd lost all the tennis balls, so he solved that problem!

Yesterday, we went to the park and all practiced together. As we left the rackets and balls in the car, our family was happy to have them when we were stuck somewhere waiting for an hour, and there was a court nearby!

We grabbed the rackets and balls and a game of tennis. We played kids vs. mom and dad. Then we played girls against boys. We had a good time and are hopeful that this will become a game that we can all play together more often.

scuba class

Our family started scuba diving class together this week. Though some of us are more hesitant than others, we know this will be the first step in many other times for our family to spend some exciting adventures together. We spent Monday in a classroom session. Not as fun, but know it is vital to what we need to know. Tuesday we went through a chapter together at home. Thursday we took our swim test and our first session in the pool. The kids LOVED this and now can hardly wait to get done so we can get on to the diving!