Sometimes it is fun to mix up the usual routine a bit and add something different. A question to promote innovative thinking may be what is needed to set a child’s imagination running. What if we didn’t have a cup or a water bottle? Idea #1: Instead of setting the table with a cup put […]
Learning Based Dinner Activity
Who’s Invited to Dinner? –a learning based dinner activity Dinner time is a family time. Talking around the table is instrumental in building relationships. Occasionally, it is fun to feed their minds and not just fill their bellies at the event. A five minute “splash” of knowledge about a person in history sparks questions and […]
Family Reading Goal
Why not build family unity and help kids excel in reading at the same time? We love to have a family reading goal…mostly because there is a potential for ice cream….but the other rewards are really greater. (It is OK that my kids don’t realize that yet. :)) The process is simple: set a reasonable […]
Traveling Teams 101- Money Saving Tips
Planning a full day or evening chasing kids for games or events? Whether your game is in town or across the state, here are a few ideas of how to save money on food. The post goes through drink ideas, snack ideas, and meal ideas…. Drink/Hydrating Ideas: Water bottles– save and reuse. Fill the bottle […]
Family Service Activity
If life is getting too busy and everyone needs to be pulled back together for some family time…try this service activity: Gather your kids and decide who around you could use a secret service…a plate of cookies, a note, or a small gift. Tell them they will become the SWaT team tonight. (SWaT—Service Without a […]
Dinner in Ireland
When you here “Ireland” what words come to mind? green, leprechauns, shamrocks..… Take your family and friends to a place drenched in history and traditions. Let’s embark on a trip to the Emerald Isle! Here is an outline of how to make it happen: Food ideas: Irish Stew-there are lots of online recipes. Basically, you […]
March 2nd Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
Don’t let the schools be the only ones who have fun today! Pull out all your Dr. Seuss books. Cuddle up with your kids tonight and read! If you are feeling really ambitious, cook up some green eggs and ham. “Dr. Seuss (who was known as Theodor Geisel when he wasn’t writing or drawing) wrote […]
Not Your Ordinary Fortune Cookies
Well, these aren’t the usual fortune cookies, but they cause chuckles at our house! We bake fortunes into some of our favorite cookies. The recipe I used in the pictures is Chewy Low Fat Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies—of course, any one that knows me can be assured I used ½ cup chocolate chips instead of […]
Game Date!
Kids need one-on-one time. Sometimes going out on an official “date” with each child isn’t optional. Hence, this idea emerged during a time of my life when I had six little kids running around and when my husband was gone to church meetings a couple nights a week. I found that a “Game Date” was […]
Let’s Take a Pretend Trip to Italy
When are we going to Italy? It has been said that all roads lead to Rome. Let’s go! A pretend visit to Italy can be a magical night. Here is an outline of how to make it happen. Food ideas: Spaghetti Pizza – tradition states that the first pizza was made by a […]