Family Night

family dinners

2012-01-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

I have read time and again how important it is to have regular family dinners together. Meals where everyone is present and seated together. These meals may not actually be dinner and they may not be every day. But making them a regular part of the family routine is healthy for everyone. There are many reasons why, and you can read them in many sources. But sometimes it is hard to make family meals work. Some good ideas can be to have two or three times a week set aside for family meals, no interruptions. Having a meal together for breakfast can achieve the same goal. Or even when worse comes to worse, eating together out or even in the car on the way to the next event, or at the next event at least stopping for a few minutes to sit together and share a meal, time and conversation is a perfect family bond-building activity.

decorating the tree

2011-12-13T13:14:00.001-08:00

Sometimes family traditions are hard to change. As the time drew near this year to decorate the Christmas tree, I told my daughter to go ahead and put her ornaments on and when her brother got home from college he could add his if he wanted. She refused saying that she would just wait til he got home to do hers; that is just the way it is supposed to be! So for now our Christmas tree stands bare with nothing but lights. And there is a family night that awaits us to decorate the tree.

surprise

2011-10-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

Many people think that surprises are good. And maybe a family surprise can be pulled off and even enjoyed. After a family surprise this weekend in which I did not respond with the best composure, I am not sure that all surprises are in order, even if done with the best of intentions. I hope that in the future I will handle the surprises which I face with more composure and grace than I did this weekend.

pride

2011-10-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

One thing that sometimes gets overlooked is telling our kids how proud we are of them. My husband called me today to tell me about something our son, who is away at college, did for someone last week that was really an encouragement. We would never have known about it if this lady did not tell my husband about it. My husband then told me how proud he was that our son did that. I told my husband to be sure and tell our son. He said of course he would. I know that kids love to feel their parents' pride and it is an important aspect of the family. It's never a bad time to tell kids of your pride for them.

family meals

2011-10-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

In spite of all the flak kids give parents about so many things, including sitting down together for family meals, today I was reassured by a mental health professional that it is very important for families to do this, ideally once a day. It allows time for reconnection, communication, involvement, a feeling of belonging and a chance to model and observe appropriate behaviors. Even though our kids would at times only come to the table begrudgingly, I am glad to hear that this ideal is still endorsed by professionals!

Technology Loving Parents

2011-10-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the article from Laura Ryan

I think I have the coolest parents. When I was a kid, that statement would have been difficult to make. No one thinks they have cool parents. However, now that I am grown up I realize how cool my parents were and are. They were one of the first people to own a computer. When I was little, I didn’t even know how cool that was. They were also one of the first people to get DIRECT TV. And to top it off, they were also the first to get a cell phone. Looking back it is amazing how quickly my parents accepted technology. They were able to see what items would be fads and which items were here to stay. To this day, they are still trying new things and having the coolest gadgets. Most parents go to their kids for advice on computers and such, but I go to my parents. I look back on my childhood and realize I was a lucky kid to have had some of the coolest parents around and I still am.

debrief and reminisce

2011-09-11T11:28:00.001-07:00

Our family has always had a tradition of debriefing and reminiscing events. And large historic events are especially good times to debrief and reminisce. I posted this idea on another blog but it fits well with family night activities:

As today is an important day for Americans to remember those who have fallen in recent history, it is important to teach the younger generation why it's important to remember. Sometimes history seems like such a dull thing of the past to kids. Teaching them now about an historic event that we and many of them have lived through puts the human touch, emotion, and passion into history. It is important to impart not only information but values and lessons learned from such historic events. Today is a great day to remember why it's so important to remember and share such events.

imparting values through current events

2011-09-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

While watching a talk show today, it was mentioned about an upcoming reality show casting a controversial figure. The points were brought out about just not watching the show, or watching the show and not mentioning it to kids or watching the show and discussing it with your kids. I happen to agree with all three and it depends on the age of your kids. I think however if you do decide to watch, it will likely have to be mentioned because my guess is that the controversy will be brought up during the show itself, leaving it unwise not to mention it or talk about it with your kids.

If you do decide to watch, it makes for good family time, both while viewing but also setting your family up for discussions later after the show and possibly more discussions later on as well. Isn't this what we want with our kids, to be able to impart our values to them? What better way to do that than to use real life current situations and have meaningful conversations with our kids about it.

2011-08-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

It seems that kids of all ages love to cook. Cooking up a batch of some fun foods is a great way to spend family time together. Making fun foods to enjoy together always brings happy memories. Try making cookies (slice and bake is fine!), cakes, ice cream or popcorn (on the stove!) Then enjoy the treats during a game or movie.

Also cooking healthy meals together makes it more likely that the kids will want to try all the good healthy foods they have helped prepare. Cooking is always an educational experience including math skills, reading skills and science skills. But best of all, is the bonds formed in the kitchen.

kids room remodeling

2011-08-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

With older kids who want to have a say in how their rooms look, or are even asking to remodel their rooms, getting them in on the action and work can be some good family time. Kids love to plan, decorate and see their ideas put into effect.

My daughter is having some grand ideas about a lot of house remodeling (she is signed up for an interior design class so this is practical hands-on experience for her!) including plans for her and her brother's rooms. When looking for the perfect decor for kids and teens rooms, I came across some great ideas. I have long been a fan of kids loft beds because of the room they provide for other great kids furniture like a mirrored console, desk or couch. For those kids who adore every style and color of foot wear, a shoe storage bench could be the ideal piece of furniture.

Whatever plans kids have for designing their rooms, be sure to include them. It could likely make for some fun family memories!

art museum

2011-06-02T17:46:00.001-07:00

As the kids get older, it is harder and harder to find affordable things that we can all agree on for family activities. One thing I have in mind to do this summer is to take my son and his girlfriend to a free art museum. I have been there a couple of years ago and found it to be small enough to enjoy with lots of diverse exhibits. I am hoping it will be a great family outing for a family with older children.

movie night

2011-06-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

With teenagers in the house, nearly every family night consists of movie night. It's just something we can all agree on! I guess that guest blogger Antone Medina might have the same idea. Here is what Antone has to say about movie watching:

Cinamatic Legends in the Making

Thanks for the article from Antone Medina

The recent purchase from a local www.tvbydirect.com provider has enabled the viewing of many favorite movies, both classic and newer releases. Being partial to the talents of Brad Pitt , finding many of his starring roles at the press of a button is sheer delight.

Mr. Pitt has the ability to become one with his character is nothing less than phenomenal, while in the same instance retaining his unique methodology that reaches through the silver screen.

One particular favorite is the role Mr. Pitt portrays in a story of three brothers and the woman that became a part of their lives. Taking place during the early 1900's the brothers Tristan, Samuel, and Alfred Ludlow faced the issues of combating nature, war, and the rivalries of family. Susannah Fincannon, the lovely woman who was betrothed to the younger brother Samuel, became a central character during the film.

Although Mr. Pitt's resume of film credits is lengthy, the film described above has been viewed numerous times, and with each moment spent in the company of the Ludlow family causes a bitter-sweet emotion.

Dr. Suess Birthday Party

2011-03-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

We have been invited to our neighbor's house for Dr. Suess' birthday party. It should be lots of fun with games and food centered around Dr. Suess stories. My husband will recite Horton Hatches the Egg. I don't know what all games are in store but surely they will be serving Green Eggs and Ham!

conservation

2011-02-28T19:52:00.000-08:00

Teaching kids to conserve energy is a great way to start learning how to be better about it ourselves. It is important to model the behavior and to show ways we can conserve. Working together as a family is a great way to help save our earth today and for the future. This guest article by Antone Medina gives a good idea on one way to start conserving together:

I Rode On One Of Baltimore, Maryland's New Green Technologies

Thanks for the article from Antone Medina

I've begun thinking about green technology since I rode on the Maryland Transit Authority's new buses. I had to journey to Walmart to pick up a prescription, so I thought I'd catch the bus. I was impressed. The ride is much smoother than the bus used to be. There was no sound of air brakes swooshing, either at the bus stop or when I was riding. There was no sign of emissions from the bus when I watched it stop at the bus stop. That impressed me as well, because you know what a choking diesel cloud usually arises when the bus takes off. That was nice, not to smell it.
Think of the gas saved by using hybrid buses. In the neighborhood of 500,000 gallons per year at roughly 3.50 per gallon, that's going to put a serious cramp in the oil situation. Now if we could do that with cars, this country could stand on its own feet and not be ransomed by the oil producing countries. Suits me. You know, I'd expect to see home energy savings(www.energysavings.com) through green technology, but beginning with vehicles is a good place. God knows, we're in our cars more than we are at home. At any rate, it was a nice ride on a bus using hybrid technology which means cleaner air and less gasoline consumption.

Santa's Texas Outpost

2010-12-08T11:49:00.000-08:00

Santa's Texas Outpost provides a place for families to really get into the Christmas spirit. At the Outpost, you will find a "real" Santa and reindeer. There are opportunities for photos with Santa (including hot drinks and cookies!) There are also hay rides available. Be sure and bring your letters to Santa!

adult outings

2010-09-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

We were able to take our teens out to a couple of more "adult" places this past weekend for my husband's birthday. One night we went to a comedy theater, which runs shows rated PG/PG-13. The kids enjoyed the hilarious show and fit in just fine with the mostly adult crowd.

The next day we went out for lunch in a nice but still affordable restaurant. I didn't see many kids there. The lights are lower, there is jazz music playing and I didn't see any high chairs. There are nice goblets on the table and fine steaks served. It was very pleasant to be able to take the kids out for more adult fare.

to save a life

2010-08-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

While many families are not able to save a life, ours has been involved recently in saving the life of Charlie.

My son's girlfriend found a stray dog. She did not know what to do with it. She mentioned it to my son, who mentioned it to my daughter who has some connections with a shelter. She found out what we can do with him if we can't find him a home. In the meantime, we secured a foster family for him, baby sat for him, posted his name and story on facebook, and are trying all we can to save Charlie's life. Working together as a family has been hard but it has been good knowing that we are trying to help Charlie unite with the perfect family.

cleaning

2010-08-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

I know that kids will not think that cleaning house together is a good idea for a family activity. But in reality, it is. It helps show the team work of family. It helps show the value of a clean and healthy home. It helps show that we take pride in where we live and how we present ourselves. It can be a chore of course, or you can try to add a fun element to this necessary task. Turn up some loud music-you can play your "oldies"! Have a timed contest. Or see who can clean out the most trash/unwanted items. Or have a treat when all the work is done. Working together as a family is always a good family activity!

outings with other families

2010-08-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

It is nice to be able to take family outings with other families from time to time. It still allows time for the family to be together. It also allows others to model and reinforce family values (or allows teachable moments otherwise!) It also allows some of the pressure to be off the parents and the children, allowing everyone some space to relax and enjoy the outing.

prayer

2010-07-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes families just get stuck. And there seems no where to turn. No one can seemingly understand what you are going through. The family at this time can pull together. And a night spent in prayer together as a family surely can't hurt!

re-determined

2010-07-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

It is hard to make Family Night a priority. Especially as the kids get older and have their own commitments and activities. My husband has been good about making sure we spend time together every week in a time of family connected-ness, whatever that may mean at any given time in our life.

I had also been struggling with whether or not to continue posting on this blog. I have recently received good feedback and felt some re-determination to continue sharing ideas for family nights, whatever that may mean at any given time!

indoor skydiving

2010-06-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

I saw a piece on tv about indoor skydiving. This is basically a wind tunnel driven by a huge fan. Students go through a short training session and then are brought in for about three minutes of "flying" time. This is an activity that is open to all ages and abilities. It sounds like a great activity for families with kids of all ages. It would be a really cool way to spend some family time together and would likely be a great memory for families who try this new activity.

poetry party

2010-06-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

Teaching kids about poetry can be as informal as a family get together with some fun poetry books. Finding poems that rhyme, ones that are shorter, ones that tell stories and ones that are funny and silly are great ways to spend family time together. Having everyone take turns reading poems aloud helps build bonds and strengthen ties as well as building academic skills. It's always a great time to have a poetry party!

*check for poems by Bruce Lansky and Shel Silverstein for some quick and easy poetry fun!

to the gym

2010-06-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

When you have teens, doing what they love to do is important. I had a nice time with my son going to the gym last night. Although we did not really work out together, it was nice to go together and spend time bettering ourselves, at least in the vicinity of one another!

Apple Store

2010-05-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

If you have a local retail Apple Store, this is a fun way for families with older kids to spend some time together. You may even learn a few things! At the Apple store, they will let you "play" with computers and programs to get an idea of the things they offer and how they work. This is in hopes you will eventually buy their products. They do even offer free workshops including changing over to Mac products. Again, this is a great way for families to share and learn together.

kids' choice

2010-05-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

No matter the age of the kids in your family, it's good to often allow family night to be "kid's choice". Whether that means they choose the restaurant you eat at or the menu you have at home, or if you allow them the choice of activities for the night, things will always be more enjoyable if the kids feel as if they have some choice in what goes on at family night.

nursing home visit

2010-05-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

While spending time as a family we have discovered that one of the most important things we do each week is visit an elderly lady in the nursing home. She is a member of our church and has recently moved into the facility. She is often confused by the days and feels rather lonely. She is glad to see us when we come on Sundays. It helps her remember which day it is. We also read to her from the bible and bring along communion for her to partake. She is very happy for these small things. And we are very blessed to help in such a small way. This has been such a blessing to our family and valuable in letting our kids see us practice what we preach and teach them to help others. They also can see how important it is to the lady that we visit. This has been a valuable way to spend some of our family time together.

fund raiser

2010-05-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

My son found out about a fund raiser for a friend of ours in need. It was at a local pizza place so we spread the word and headed there after church. My son was thrilled to see several friends and even their families stop by for pizza and sodas in an effort to raise funds for the boy in need. One girl was even raffling a date with her at the pizza parlor! There were shirts for sale too. The kids bought them up as well. Donating together as a family is a perfect way to spend family time together. Enjoy the food, the fun, and the idea of giving to help those in need!

new way to watch movies

2010-04-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

We are going to have to find a new way to watch movies on any given family night. Our Blockbuster video rental store went out of business! My daughter told us she knew it was going to, but when my husband went by that same day, they were already empty! I guess for any upcoming family movie nights we are going to have to learn how to order from netflix or get something from the redbox! Gone are the days of browsing the video store!

to each his own

2010-04-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

When you have teens in the house, sometimes "family night" means letting each one do his own thing that night. For teens, just being home together is considered "family night!! Letting each have his/her own space and time to "chill down" makes for a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere in the home, which is the essence of family night.

on the lake

2010-04-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

We were talking about going to a lake today to practice an open water swim. I asked our kids to go with us to canoe or kayak if we could find one. That way they could hang around and watch out for us if something happened. We did not get to go due to the weather, but our daughter was excited about being able to just go out on the lake for a while! I am hopeful that we get to do this soon. Anything the kids want to do makes a great family night (day)!

dinner outside

2010-03-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

With the beautiful spring weather, my teenage son asked if we could eat outside tonight. What a great way to spend a family dinner. Good food, good company, and good weather! It feels good to have the sun shining down, not too hot, not too cold. Seems like kids never outgrow the simplicity of a picnic!

burgers and blues

2010-03-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

Discovery Green in Houston has lots of family activities. Many are free. On Wed. March 17 you can come out to the Green and listen to live blues music. While there you can enjoy burgers and other items purchased from the Lake House Restaurant. This week's music will be put on by the Milton Hopkins Band on the Anheuser-Busch Stage. The fun starts at noon. Weekly concerts go through April 12.

buying a television

2010-03-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Our television has been out for some time. When looking at them we decided we could not afford one at the time. However, with us being gone for a while, we were able to save the grocery money that would normally have been spent. So I am now thinking that a good family night activity would be for us to go pick out a new tv. We like to watch tv nearly every day, though our tastes in what to watch varies! My husband and son especially like to watch and lately, with a couple of teens hanging around, we spend many evenings watching television together. It seems that since it has become a common family event, it would be a good idea to pick out a new tv together.

Tour de Hood

2010-02-07T04:56:00.001-08:00

While watching Texas Country Reporter last night, we came across a great program taking place not too very far from us. It is called Tour de Hood . Dr. Veon McReynolds has in effect started an inner city cycling club. This cycling group is for all ages and abilities. He has collected an array of bicycles and allows folks to come out on Saturday mornings for a ride. The ride is at an easy pace for everyone to enjoy. At the halfway point, there is a break for fruit and water. Helmets, bikes, snacks, and even t shirts to wear are all provide to participants at no cost. All are invited to join. You can bring your own bike if you prefer. And if you have a bike that is not working, you are invited to come on Fridays and they will help you fix it! Dr. McReynolds is also wanting to get a few three wheeled bikes so that senior citizens who don't feel comfortable on a bicycle will still be able to join in the fun of each week's ride.

Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum Family Days

2010-02-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

The jack-up rig "Ocean Star" now serving as a museum and educational facility offers Family Days every second Saturday of each month. Each month a different theme is presented with information presented at the student's level. Word games, coloring and crafts are used to present the information as well as the museum exhibits. Children 18 and under are admitted free on Family Day with a paying adult. This month's theme is "Types of Rigs". Bring your family and learn about these vehicles at sea. You can even make your own piece of offshore artwork!

Kids Night on Broadway

2010-01-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

There is an excellent opportunity coming up to introduce your kids to the theater. According to a recent Theater Under the Stars eBlast:

"TUTS encourages you to expose your children to the arts by making a
family trip easy and affordable through the Kids Night on Broadway
program at South Pacific and Little House on the Prairie. With the
purchase of one adult ticket to the first Wednesday evening performance
of the run (Wed. March 10 for South Pacific and Wed. April 28 for Little
House On The Prairie), TUTS offers you one free ticket for a child under
the age of 18. Your Kids Night experience includes interactive games
for the children in the grand lobby, a souvenir Playbill and other fun
treats. For tickets visit TUTS.com and use promo code KNOB."

I wish we could take advantage of this really great deal. This would be a really grand family night out!

picnic in the park

2010-01-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

A picnic in the park can often be a nice change of pace for the entire family! It can be a simple affair, or you can order out. Just spending time together outdoors is often all that is needed to get the kids going and mom and dad too! Keeping the picnic simple allows for an easy time in transporting the food as well as in the cleanup. Be sure to enjoy your time in the park as well!

time capsule

2010-01-05T12:01:00.000-08:00

At the turn of the new century, well, in the year 2000, my kids put together a time capsule. They were 3 and 6 at the time and the time capsules ended up being plastic shoe boxes. This past January 1, it was fun to watch my 13 and 16 year old open them up. There were photos, newspapers, drawings, lists of friends and even Star Wars action figures! My kids added a couple of things on this go 'round and then closed them up for another ten years. This is a great family project and fun to look back on!

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!

three on three tournament

2009-05-03T17:54:00.001-07:00

This weekend my son was able to join a friend and his father for a three on three basketball tournament! What a fun way to spend some family time together doing what your kid loves to do! It is a great way for families with older kids to get to be together, have some fun, let off a little steam, and even get some exercise! The tourney was enjoyed by all, even if they didn't win!

time with grandparents

2009-04-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

Spending time with grandparents is a great way to strengthen family bonds through multiple generations. There are benefits to having the kids spend time with grandparents alone, without mom and dad tagging along. This is such a special time for kids and grandparents alike. This goes for kids of all ages. I know a boy whose grandmother lived next door to him as a teenager. He would go see her every afternoon. It was a safe place to find love and acceptance. A place to vent. A place to talk when it was hard to talk to mom and dad. Just the other day, my mom took my nearly thirteen year old to the park just to spend time talking and building the bonds. Sharing time with grandparents is an important part of family life.

San Jacinto Day

2009-04-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 25, San Jacinto Battleground will celebrate Texas' Independence from Mexico. At the San Jacinto Monument, there will be an historical battle reenactment. From 10am-6pm you can experience what life was like for the Texians in those days. You can also watch the 18 minute battle, the Runaway Scrape, be reenacted along with narration. There is no admission into the festival. Fees will apply to ride the elevator up the monument. This is a great way to spend family time together learning about history.

dying Easter eggs

2009-04-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

My nephews are really excited about dying real Easter eggs this year. This is a great family project and is rather cheap too! You can find the egg dying kits at most stores. Kids love to paint the eggs and see the variety of colors. Then of course, hiding the eggs is lots of fun. Afterwards, eating the eggs is the perfect ending!

family to family

2009-04-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Last night we got together with another family. Our children are not all the same ages; the girls are a year apart and the boys five. But we had a nice, relaxing evening enjoying our time together. We had a simple pancake supper. The kids horsed around, pushed each other in the pool, jumped on the trampoline, roasted marshmallows over a fire. We also enjoyed a quick board game. It was nice to have a simple evening, a pleasant end to a stressful week.

Stations of the Cross

2009-03-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Stations of the Cross is a Catholic tradition that takes place in the weeks before Easter. There are several stations set up depicting different scenes from Christ's Passion Week. I am told that different churches celebrate it in different ways. Tonight we are attending with some friends. It will be done inside with the congregants seated as the priest moves through the stations explaining each depiction. I have heard that some churches do other kinds of presentations of the Stations of the Cross including dramatic and/or outdoor

a little taste of them all

2009-03-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

When we travel together, I love to try a little bit of many different items. Our trip to Boston was no different. I love each of us ordering different items and sharing them all. We would order a few different items to share for dinner as well as dessert. It makes it fun and that way we get to taste several different items.

Old Car Picnic

2009-03-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

The 26th Annual Old Car Picnic will take place this Sunday, March 15 at the San Jacinto Battleground. Gates open at 9am. You can see hundreds of classic cars. Of course, bring your picnic lunch and enjoy the fun! The event is free to spectators, however there is a park entrance fee of $1. Prizes will be awarded at 2pm.

my home town scavenger hunt

2009-03-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for some cheap fun close to home, why not try a hometown scavenger hunt? You can come up with ideas to search for throughout your town. List them out, load up the car and head out to find them. This can be done with a range of ages and can be fun for all. Bringing along a camera to record your finds adds to the fun!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

2009-03-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

This show is great fun! It follows closely to the video script. There are lots of laughing, singing and dancing. The actors are all very talented, with lots of experience. The flying car is grand! I love how the background was all black with "stars" to aid in the illusion of flying. We enjoyed the show and the audience really got into it. I must say I did not enjoy the potty humor of the spies, even if they were from Vulgaria. I enjoyed the performance of Professor Potts, Grandpa, all the children and even the child catcher! Be sure and catch this Broadway Across America show if it comes to your area!

new restaurant/cuisine

2009-02-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

Trying a new restaurant or a new cuisine together can be a fun family outing. If you have never tried Greek, or French, or Chinese food, why not make it a fun family affair. And if everyone orders something different, you can try each others, expanding the experience. If you go for Chinese, be sure to try using chopsticks and reading the fortune cookies. Talk about what it might be like to visit the country whose food you are tasting. Eating new foods together can be a great bonding experience for families.

family stories

2009-02-19T10:48:00.000-08:00

My dad loves to tell family stories. I too think they are important. You can learn a lot about your relatives, your heritage and some of your own experiences when you were younger. Kids love to hear these stories being told, especially if they are told in a fun way. Finding out about your past helps you to better know who are and how you got to be who you are. It's fun to find out that you are like your grandparent or that you met somebody famous when you were too young to remember. If you can add pictures to these stories, it adds a new element to the fun of sharing family stories.

library

2009-02-13T20:06:00.000-08:00

Going to the library has long been a favorite of my family. I started taking my son when he was still in a stroller. It is a cheap and easy way for families to find entertainment. There are of course tons of books from which to choose. It's fun to share your childhood favorites with your own kids. Reading a book aloud is a great bonding activity for families. Libraries also offer movies and CDs to borrow. Often libraries offer family activities ranging from story time and movies to crafts and karaoke. Check out your local library for an assortment of family activities.

walk to the mailbox

2009-02-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

Making time for families in simple ways is important. Tonight, we simply walked together as a family down to our mailbox at the corner. It was the kids' idea! Just a simple act of taking a short walk together allows time to be together in a casual way, expressing affection and building bonds. It allows for a fresh perspective, some fresh air and change of scenery. Doing the day to day routine acts together is an easy way to bond closer as a family.

Superbowl

2009-02-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

I know many families will be watching the Superbowl together tonight. It is a great opportunity to spend time together as a family, even if you don't care much about football. When my kids were small, we would watch part of it together, including the half-time show (though that has since become a questionable family activity, thanks to Janet Jackson!) It gives you things to discuss together, from learning the game, to the personal lives of some of the players, to things in the commercials. It provides a time to be able to teach some of your personal values in a non-threatening approach. And sometimes the commercials can even be fun! It gives a time to relax together and something which to bring up in conversation with those outside the family in the upcoming days.

newspaper

2009-01-27T06:40:00.000-08:00

Reading a news article together and discussing it as a family is a great way to spend some time as a family. You can find anything that would capture the interest of your family, whether young or old. Finding something to stimulate conversation will help build family ties, know what each other is thinking and feeling, and keeps communication lines open. It can help jump start a conversation about serious social issues, can help come up with ideas for other family activities and can help language and social debate skills. This can be done over dinner or in the car or sitting at home. It is a great way to learn more about each other and grow together as a family.

inauguration

2009-01-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

I hope many families were able to watch the inauguration together. What an opportunity for teachable moments to arise. From government/politics, to social issues, to historical items and ideals, to famous people and many other things to talk about and teach our kids about. If you were unable to view it with your family, what a great thing to talk about at dinner tonight and over the next few days. It is important to teach our kids about the world they live in and our values and ideals that we hold close. Though many are bringing the historical aspect to the forefront of this inauguration, I feel that every president's inauguration is an important historical aspect for our country.

library book sale

2009-01-15T14:18:00.000-08:00

In our area, several libraries run book sales from time to time. One even does a book sale every month. This is a great way to spend some family time. There are usually books for every age and taste. The sales often have great prices on the books they sell. Here you can find some of your favorite books to bring home and treasure as your own. You might even find some old favorites from childhood to share with your own kids!

Prayer Walk

2009-01-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

This is a tradition that we started last year. We did our prayer walk on New Year's Day this year and really enjoyed it. We made several stops at homes throughout our neighborhood to read a passage of scripture and say a prayer over a specific need. We had folks of all ages join in the walk, from 7 to over 60. Not everyone walked the whole route and some only came out at their own homes. But a special night of prayer and need were experienced by everyone who attended any or all of the prayer walk.

going for a visit

2009-01-02T15:32:00.000-08:00

We have some friends who do not have kids. Yet they have one of the most fun Christmas trees around! (They actually have more than one!) We began a tradition a few years ago of going to see their tree(s) sometime during the holidays. We have not gone every year but every few years. This year they had gotten a new house, so we wanted to make sure we got to see their tree and their new house.

They had also gotten a huge new tree this year. They decorate with all sorts of fun ornaments including Disney characters, Wizard of Oz, Looney Tunes, Harry Potter and Barbie. The husband also has a Star Wars/Star Trek tree in his office. It is always fun for us and the kids to see and hear their assortment of ornaments and it's fun for our friends to show them off. They have gotten so many that they have had to "retire" some of their older ones!

Star Cinema Grill

2008-12-27T14:12:00.000-08:00

We visited the Star Cinema Grill for the first time this week. This theater shows new movies but also has a full menu with waiters who bring the food to you. You can order throughout the movie. We went on Tuesday when all show tickets were $5. The menu ranges from candy and popcorn to entrees reminiscent of Chili's. The prices were no worse than Chili's and my husband said the hamburger was better than Chili's! This theater does not allow preschoolers so this is a good family activity for families with older children.

finding the right gift

2008-12-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

We always love buying gifts for each other at Christmas. I think it's important for the kids to be able to find gifts they want to give as well. When they were little I let them help me make things to give to people. As they grew, they wanted to pick out special little things to be just from them. We would let them pick out items at the dollar store that would be appropriate gifts. As they got to be tween aged, I would let them go around the store by themselves choosing items and even let them check out alone (as I stood nearby keeping an eye on them without trying to see the gift they were getting me.) Now as teens they can choose great gifts and pretty much spend their own money. Having Dad take them shopping for me and me take them shopping for Dad is another great approach to keeping gift giving special. Letting kids choose their own gifts is important and teaches them to be selfless gift givers. It is also lots of fun to see what they have picked out for everyone!

Christmas lights

2008-12-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

One of our family's favorite traditions is walking around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights. It's nice to talk a walk after dark and see all the festive Christmas decorations and lights for the holiday. It is a fun activity for both kids and adults. It's relaxing and a good way to spend time talking together.

In the past we have also driven around other neighborhoods to see the lights and decorations there too. We have seen lights set to music and even a Santa Clause roller coaster! Spending time relaxing together and enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday are great family building activities.

decorate the tree

2008-12-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Our family loves to decorate the Christmas tree together. I have the ornaments I've collected since I was a kid and the same is true for my children. It is fun to reminisce over each ornament. We play Christmas music and spend an evening together going over the memories each ornament and photo bring back to us. It is a special tradition I look forward to each year. And when my kids leave home, I intend to give them their collection of ornaments to take to decorate their own tree with.

christmas cookies

2008-12-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite activities during the holidays (and any time really) is baking cookies. I love the smell of them baking and of course love to eat them. This is great activity in which the whole family can participate. You can use any recipe to make your favorite cookies or even use the slice and bake dough. It's fun to introduce kids to new recipes. And decorating cookies is almost as much fun for the kids as is the eating! The cookies can also make great gifts for teachers, friends and neighbors.

family fun run

2008-12-02T09:09:00.001-08:00

On Thanksgiving Day, my husband and I got up to do a small local fun run. Our kids decided they would rather sleep in. But there were several other families who showed up together. Several young kids ran the 5K with (or even without!) their parents. It was cool to see the dad pushing a stroller run with his older daughter and then go back and come in with his wife and younger daughter. There were snacks and prizes and even a kids K complete with prizes. It's a fun way to spend time together and promotes healthy living at the same time!

nature walk

2008-11-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

When my kids were small, we would go on nature walks regularly. They would carry a small bag to collect items in that they could bring home for further study. We might walk around the neighborhood or walk along the ditch in the back. Occasionally, if my husband went with us, we would go to an old sand pit behind our house. The kids loved going out for walks and really loved being able to bring back the things they found on our walks. Be it leaves, grass, flowers, even weeds, they found these items interesting and worthy of more study. It is a good way for kids to learn about the world around them and a great way for families to spend time together.

caramel apples

2008-11-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

I have been looking for some time for a good homemade caramel recipe. We love this sticky treat, but I don't like using candy with artificial flavors and colors. I have come across a couple of easy recipes online. And when fall is in the air, we love to stir up the sticky sweetness, slice up some apples and dip them in the caramel! Whether you choose to melt caramel candies, use pre-cut caramel slices or find a recipe, caramel apples are a great fall family snack!

vocbulary

2008-11-15T13:29:00.000-08:00

I have been working on some vocabulary activities for my daughter. It reminds me of how kids learn words in the first place. It is often from hearing or reading new words. I love hearing my kids learn new words. I think it is important to read books with good, rich vocabulary in them, from the time the kids are young. Then you can expand that by keying in on a word or two, particularly if there are some the child asks about. Then, go about in using that word within normal conversations. This will help the child to make the word his/her own and increase her/his vocabulary. You can make this a fun family game by reading a book or article together and make a point to use the new words throughout the day or week.

raking leaves

2008-11-10T08:57:00.000-08:00

Although this can't really be done at this time of year where I live, in many places the leaves have already started turning fall colors and dropping from the trees. One of the favorite things that can be done with these fallen leaves is to rake them into large piles and let the kids jump into them! Most of the time the kids will be really happy to help rake and make piles. And after the jumping fun, they will likely want to rake and re-pile them to keep jumping into the pile! Lots of fall fun for the family!

Vote!

2008-11-03T11:10:00.000-08:00

As tomorrow is election day in the U.S., this is an opportune time to teach our kids about voting. If possible, take them with you to the voting place. Talk to them about who you vote for and why. Of course, depending on their age, you can teach them how folks get nominated and elected. Talk about the different parties and their platforms, talk about the right and privilege to vote. Talk about the different issues which are important to people. I think kids care about what is going on in the world around them and the older they get, the more important it is that we teach them how to use this information and how to participate in the world in which they are growing.

Wings Over Texas Airshow

2008-10-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

I got to see some of the Wings Over Texas Airshow from the road as I was driving by this weekend! The show took place this past Saturday and Sunday and was full of areal tricks and feats. My friends went to see the show. They said the re-enactment of Pearl Harbor was pretty awesome! And the finale starring the Thunderbirds was pretty good too! Their four year old son loved the jet truck, which could go faster than an airplane! The air show was a great family event for my friends, though they did say it was LOUD! At times the four year old got scared. And they were glad they did not take the baby.

Family Self Protection Seminar

2008-10-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Next Thursday, October 30 from 6:00-8:00pm Al Garza's Premiere Martial Arts is offering a Family Self Protection event. This fun and educational seminar will focus on training the entire family as a unit. Family members will learn verbal, mental, and physical defense techniques and they will learn to work as a team if a dangerous situation arises. This seminar is specifically designed for participating 5-12 year olds and their parents. This free event is open to all PMA families as well as families in the community.

talent show

2008-10-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

When our kids were small, we got together with several other families to put on our own talent show. Each child chose something they wanted to "perform" and had about five or so minutes to do it. We had kids doing things like bike tricks, reading a book, karate, balance beam, magic tricks, and hula hooping. It was great fun for all the kids. We were sure to video tape them, and have had fun watching it played back after several years!

Friday Night Lights

2008-10-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here in Texas, Friday night high school football is a big deal! My son has been going to his high school's football games the last few weeks having lots of fun. But my nephew's were able to go to a high school game this week too. And they had a lot of fun. This is a fun place to take the whole family. You get the fun of the crowd and the game, you get the half time show, you get to spend time with family and friends. And it is more affordable than most family outings these days!

sports

2008-10-07T18:25:00.001-07:00

Sports are big in many families. Letting kids play sports is good for them in many ways. And having to take turns watching their siblings play too is a good thing to learn. Sometimes, participating with the sibling in their favorite sport can add a new dimension of fun for those who are not normally involved.

One year when my son was in canoeing, all the families were invited to be taken down the bayou by the student. He guided and directed us, led the instruction for paddling and took us to Mud Island. We all had a great time and it was good for us to be able to see what he had been doing, learning and enjoying.

Another time, when my daughter played volleyball for the YMCA and again tomorrow on her competitive team, the last practice is a girls vs. parents/siblings game. It is fun to get in on the game and see how much the girls have grown in their sport. And they love beating us, too!