Wii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!