Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt - Happy Halloween

Tonight is the night! The costumes are ready and the kids have laid them out at the foot of their beds. We will be trick-or-treating with Maleficent, Doc McStuffins, A French Artist, Steve Jobs, and a little 10 month old flower. The kids are excited, and I am still in awe that it is the end of October.

Twice a month I have the chance to post over at TheIdeaRoom.net. If you haven't stopped by, you MUST. Amy has the most amazing, fun, projects, Printables, holiday fun on the net. Plus, she is one of the most amazing women I have met.

This Week I shared a Family Halloween Scavenger Hunt with her readers. I know it is something your family will love to. Simply print it out and take it with you as you go trick or treating tonight. Your whole family will love it!

We are going to use it for our 3 year old, who will trick or treat, but likes to take her time, and will ask to get in the stroller after about an hour. It will be around that time that she is looking for something to do, and this Scavenger Hunt will be the perfect way to keep her occupied will her older siblings keep knocking doors.

I hope you and your family can use it tonight also.

Happy Haunting.

Tell me, who are you trick-or-treating with tonight?

Thinking Ahead to the Garden

Happy Weekend! It has been a crazy week around this house, and it seems today is the first time we have been able to catch our breath. At least a little bit.

I noticed a difference in the morning light today. Usually at 7am, it is still dark outside. Today, there was a good hint of light. Spring is on its way, and there is hope that the snow will melt and we will once again be able to enjoy the sun on our skin. The promise of Spring has me excited, so tomorrow we are going to start doing some garden and outdoor prepping.

A few years ago we started transforming our backyard into an outdoor living space. It is always a work in progress. With the hope of melted snow and warmer weather, I am getting excited about the prospect of getting back to work on that space.

Last year we completed one of my favorite gardening projects. Hubby and I set out to make a Vertical Garden. One for my mom (who can make anything grow) and one for ourselves.

We used these directions as a starting point, but ended up making a number of little modifications as we went along.

We were able to put everything together in a Saturday afternoon.

We decided to paint ours black. 

Original Image found here. 

As soon as Spring hits, I will take a picture and show you where it hangs at our house. 

 Original Image found here.

If you need something to do this weekend that helps get you excited for warmer weather, give this project a try. It will warm you heart and soul. Then you can have it all ready for planting. Now, if only it would give me a tan.

p.s. Have you and your kids been inside way too much this Winter season. Maybe you have NDD. Click to read more about Nature Deficit Disorder.

I hope you and your family have a great weekend, and find something to do together.

Making Family Resolutions

After a much needed holiday break, our family is getting back into the routine of life. School is back in session, activities have started back up, and I have found myself, like so many others, making resolutions. 

It's that time of year. Resolutions are the thing to do. :) You might have even made goals for your family. But how many of us sit down AS A FAMILY and make Family Resolutions.

What a great way to strengthen our families, make resolutions together! The perfect way to start the year.

It is also a key way to teach your children important life skills like setting and achieving goals. following through, working as a team and being accountable, just to name a few.

You will want to gather your entire family together to make your resolutions. You want everyone to have input on the decisions. Whenever family members have a say in the decision making process, they are more likely to follow through and support.

Once you sit down together, open the discussion by asking your family what you did great in 2012. Talk about all the strengths your family has, and all the good things your family did.

Keep the discussion positive and focused on all the good. This will set a tone for the rest of the goal setting.


Then, there are a number of different approaches your family can take to make resolutions. A common theme is a good place to start.

How do you come up with a theme?

• Choose a key word you would like to focus on for the year. (service, organization, love).
• Choose a quote, motto, or saying that represents what your family would like to focus on for the year. 
• Choose a scripture that your family would like to focus on. 
• Choose a weakness that your family would like to make a strength.

Next, ask your family...

• is there anything you would like to see changed in our family?
• is there anything you would like to do more of/less of in our family?
• what are some of our family's weaknesses?

Use the thoughts and answers to these questions to help distinguish your resolutions. 

If you can, write everything down on a large piece of paper or a white board so that everyone can see what is going on and consider the thoughts together.

Narrow all the suggestions down to 2-3. Too many choices will be overwhelming.

Once you have decided on your resolutions, you will need to establish the details for each one. Each resolution needs a plan of action.

• How will you accomplish the goal/resolution.
• How will you measure your success/failure.

Remember, this first meeting will set the tone and establish the preliminary resolutions and guidelines. As you go, you will see where you need to make modifications.  

Before your family resolution meeting is over, decide when you will meet next to talk about your progress. This is a very important part of the process, and teaches your children important life skills like learning to follow through when you set goals. 

These follow up meetings should be regular. They should be kept positive, and provide an opportunity to evaluate how your family is doing, and if any modifications need to be made.

You will find that setting family resolutions is not only fun, but it will bring your family closer together. And isn't family closeness a resolution we have every year? :) Don't just set resolutions for yourself this year. Create resolutions for your family also and you will see 2013 be your families best year EVER!

Throughout the rest of the week we will talk about three key resolutions that every family should implement this year. Stay tuned. 

What was one of your families strengths in 2012?
If there is one thing you would like your family to work on this year, what would it be?
Have you made any family resolutions?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Marshmallow Toss Game!

The object of this game is to catch as many marshmallows in your mouth as you can, before the time runs out.

You Will Need...
* Marshmallows (You want the large marshmallows. Not the minis.)
* Masking Tape (To mark boundaries)
* Bowl or bucket (This is to spit, or drop the marshmallows into after they are caught in the persons mouth)

How To Play...
Take the masking tape and make two lines on the ground, about 7-8 feet apart. Players are not allowed to cross these lines. If you are playing with small children, put these lines closer together.

Separate your family into teams. You want 4 or 5 people on each team. If your family is only 4 or 5 people big, no need for teams. :)

Choose someone to be the "catcher."

Have the "catcher" stand behind one of the lines you marked. Have the rest of the family (or team) stand behind the other line. They should be facing one another.

The line of players is given the bag of marshmallows.

When you say "go" the first player in line will grab three marshmallows and throw them to the "catcher" for them to catch in their mouths.

Give the "catcher"the bowl or bucket. When they catch a marshmallow in their mouth, they can spit it into the bowl to make room for the next one.

Once the first person has thrown three (one at a time of course), they rotate to the back of the line and the next person in line throws three marshmallows at the "catcher."

The "catcher" who catches the most marshmallows in their mouth wins.

How To Keep Score...
You can go by time: Set a times for 2 minutes. The players would continue to throw three marshmallows each, to the catcher. At the end of three minutes, count how many the "catcher" caught in his/her mouth and remember the score. Have each player take a 2 minute turn as "catcher". Whoever ends up catching the most marshmallows is the winner.

You can go by rotations: Have each person throwing the marshmallows, rotate through a certain number of times. For example, once each person has thrown to the "catcher" three times. The round ends.

Competition in big groups: If you are playing with extended family, or friends, youth groups etc... Divid the group into teams of about 5 people. Each team will choose a "catcher" to begin. Teams will set up and race one another.
*You can either have them race to see who can catch a certain amount the fastest. (First team to 50 marshmallows)
*They can give every one on the team a turn to be the catcher and then see how many the entire team caught.
*Or...as soon as the teams "catcher" successfully catches a given number (lets say 10) marshmallows in their mouths, they rotate to the back of the teams line and a new "catcher" takes their place. The first team to rotate through their entire team wins.

You get the point.

Your family and friends will love this game. Marshmallows will be bouncing all over the place and laughter will ensue.

Have fun, and have a great weekend!!!

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Bubble Master!

We have said it before and we will say it again. Families that play together, stay together. So, let the games begin.

For this game you will need... 

Bubbles

Hula Hoop

Object of the Game...

Get a bubble through the hula hoop. Using only your breath. 

Here's how you play...

1. Establish a starting line. 

2. Choose someone to hold the hula hoop. They should stand about 6-8 feet away from the start line, depending on how old your players are. Older kids and adults, stand farther away. Younger, closer. You will want to hold it up so the opening is facing the start line. 

3. Choose someone to blow the bubbles. They will stand behind the start line. 

4. Everyone else will stand in between the start line and the hula hoop.

5. The bubble blower, blows bubbles. Everyone then tries to get the bubble(s) through the hula hoop. The catch, players can only use their breath to propel the bubble. They will have to carefully blow the bubbles. Working to keep them from popping on the ground and floating off course. Some players will want to be down on the ground so they can blow the bubbles up. Some will want to be on the sides of the bubbles, etc...

6. Players are not allowed to touch the hula hoop. (unless you are the one holding it up, of course).

7. As the bubbles pop, the person blowing the bubbles, keeps blowing and providing bubbles while the rest of the players carefully blow the bubbles toward the hula hoop, trying to blow them through. 

This is a fantastically fun game to play with your family. You can time yourselves and see how long it takes to get a certain number of bubbles through the hoop. You can have teams, and race. 

If you are playing with a large group, divide them up into smaller groups and have them race one another. 

This is also great for kids, big and small. Get everyone involved and be sure to take turns blowing bubbles at the start line, using your breath to move the bubbles, and holding the hula hoop.

Have fun!

What are you doing this weekend? Anything fun or exciting?

Anyone watching the BYU vs. Utah Football Game? 

Who do you want to win?

Images found via Google Images. Original links found here and here.

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - THE BEST Game!

Just can't say it enough, This game is really fun.

The MATERIALS will depend on what you do in your family. You can also play with no materials at all. Keep reading, you will see what I mean.

How to Play
You will want to choose a Host. Then, if your family or group is large, arrange everyone into groups. If you are smaller, then everyone can play as their own team. If you are playing with lots of people the rule stands that everyone has to participate in at least one round.

The Rules
The Host will announce the contest category for the group. (For example: "The Tallest")
Then, each group will select one person who they think will win the category.
There will be a category contest and if a person has "THE BEST" within the category, his or her team gets a point.

*if you are playing as individuals, everyone will compete in each category and the winner will get a point.*

SO this is how it would work. The Host would say "The Tallest". Then, if you are in groups, each group would pick the person they think could win "The Tallest". One person to represent the group.
Then, Once every group has their representative, or each individual is ready, The Host will then announce what has to be done. For example, with "The Tallest", then the Host could say, "The Tallest...Thumb".
Everyone playing that round would come together to see who had the tallest thumb. That person would then get a point.

Here are some category and contest examples. Use these, and add your own.

-The Tallest....THUMB
-The Fastest....CRAB WALKER
-The Highest....JUMPER
-The Longest....STARE IN A STARING CONTEST
-The Fastest....ALPHABET SONG SINGER
-The Quickest....TO BALANCE 5 DICE ON THE END OF A TOUGUE DEPRESSOR HELD IN YOUR MOUTH.
-The Farthest....MAKE A PAPER AIRPLANE AND SEE WHO'S GOES THE FARTHEST.
-The Shortest....SHOE SIZE
-The Biggest....WHO CAN BLOW THE BIGGEST BUBBLE.

As you can see, the possibilites are endless. You can make them as complicated or basic as you would like. You will find your family/group, laughing out loud.

What are you The Best at? Do you have the tallest thumb?

Have a Great Weekend!

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Balloon Balance!

Time to round up your family and have some fun.

Materials

Balloons

Cookie Sheets

How To Play

Gather your cookie sheets and balloons. You will want to blow up a balloon for every person. And a few extras because if your house is anything like our house, someone will pop one before the game begins. 

Divide your family or group, into two teams. 

Form two lines on one side of the room. Establish a "pick-up" line on the other side of the room. 

Place all the balloons but one (for each team), at the "pick-up" line.

At the starting line, where you have your two teams lined up, have the first person hold the cookie sheet and place one balloon on the cookie sheet. 

When you say "go" the first person has to go across the room with their balloon on the cookie sheet, WITHOUT LETTING THE BALLOON FALL OFF. Once they get to the "pick-up" line, they have to bend over, get another balloon, and carry them on the tray WITHOUT THEM FALLING OFF, back to the starting line. 

They then have to pass the cookie sheet, WITH THE BALLOONS ON IT, to the next person. The second person on each team then has to walk back across the room to the "pick-up" line, get another balloon, and carry all three back to the start line and pass the cookie sheet to the next person. 

THE GOAL: to get all the balloons on the cookie sheet and carry them back and forth without letting any of the balloons fall off. 

RULES: You decide how you want to play. You can either use your hands or other body parts to help keep the balloons in place as you walk, or you can't. Up to you. You can also change this rule, depending on who is playing. It is a good way to make things harder for older kids and adults, and easier for younger kids, so everyone can play together. 

You also decide what to do if a balloon drops. You can either make the team start over from the beginning with only one balloon. Make the person bend down and pick up the balloon and start back up where it dropped off, or make them start that lap over. You decide. 

Whichever team does it first, wins. 

Summary: Walk across, pick up a new balloon, walk back, pass the cookie sheet. Walk across, pick up another balloon, walk back, pass the cookie sheet. Never let the balloons drop. 

VARIATION 1

If you are playing with very small children, the cookie sheets might be too heavy to carry. You can use a piece of cardboard, the top of a box, the top of a small tupperware container, etc...

VARIATION 2

If your family isn't very big, or if you don't want to form two teams, you don't have too. Instead have each person play and time them. Whoever has the fastest time wins. You can also play that whoever can carry the most balloons without them falling off, wins. 

VARIATION 3

If you are playing with younger children, let them use their other hand to hold the balloons on the cookie sheet or cardboard as they walk. 

VARIATION 4

Instead of each person carrying the cookie sheets across the room AND back, each person can just carry the tray one direction, then pass the cookie sheet to the next person. If you go this route, just have the teams split up and put some of each team on either side of the room when you start. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Zip, Bong!

This activity is a blast. Perfect for your upcoming Father's Day Celebrations.

You don't need any supplies for this game. Just you, and your mouth.

The first thing to remember is that...

ZIP passes LEFT
BONG passes RIGHT

Now, time to play.

Have everyone stand in a circle. Select one person to start the game. He/She will either say ZIP or BONG. If they say ZIP, play will pass to the person on their LEFT. If they say BONG, play will pass to the person on their RIGHT.

Here is the catch. When they say ZIP or BONG, they have to do it without smiling, and without showing their teeth. (Go ahead, try it really quick, it's not as easy as you think :))

In fact, you can't smile or show your teeth the entire game, regardless of if it's your turn or not.

Once play has been passed right or left, that new person then has to say ZIP or BONG to continue to pass play. Players will continue to pass play right or left depending on if they say ZIP or BONG.

If any participant smiles or shows his/her teeth, they will be out. The last person who hasn't smiled/shown their teeth, WINS!

Want to make it even more fun? Don't hesitate to be silly and get in each other's space when you pass the ZIP and BONG. Being goofy makes the game even more fun. Plus, you are trying to get everyone else to smile and show their teeth so that you can win. 

Does it get any better? Family Bonding, and learning right from left all in the same game.

Warning: This game is known to cause sore stomachs and cheeks, from all the laughing.

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY-Can You Draw What I See?

Objective:
To have a person draw a picture YOU see, by explaining to them how to draw it.

Materials:
All you need is a picture (of your choice), Paper, and a Pencil or Pen

How To Play:
Get your picture ready. You don't want it to be too complicated. Especially your first few times playing.

Choose one person in your family to be the artist.

Have the artist face the rest of the family. Make sure that the artist cannot see the picture, just the family members. We like to hang the picture on the wall behind the artist's head so that everyone can see it, except them.

The family will now look at the picture and tell the artist how to draw the picture. The family is not allowed to help draw the picture in any way and can only explain what it looks like. No pointing or touching the paper either. The artist listens and tries to draw what they are being told. In the end, reveal the picture that was drawn and compare it to the actual picture and see how well the family and artist did.

This is a powerful family activity! A great activity to work on communication and better understand family dynamics. Play, and you will see how your family works together, communicates and relates to one another. You will see that some family members communicate better than others. You will see some family members take leadership roles. You will have lots of fun too.

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 14-"Easter"

Our family had a really nice Easter filled with extended family. When Easter dinner was over, our son pulled me aside and said "Mom, I wish we could all eat dinner together like that every night." He loves having everyone together just like I do. I can see the influence that being Intentional about family celebrations are having on our children. We are making memories as a family and it is wonderful.

These rabbits and Easter basket were the centerpiece on our table. They used to belong to my maternal Grandmother. She passed away nearly 8 years ago and I was the lucky recipient of a lot of her holiday decorations. She and my grandpa spent most holidays with us. I think of her often. She is apart of all of my wonderful holiday memories.

I can see her influence in all I do. Not only did she teach me, but she taught my mom, who taught me. He influence is spanning generations and I miss her.

These Easter decorations were always up in her house. They were part of my childhood. Now they sit on our table and are part of our children's childhood. I hope they feel the love and influence of their Great Grandma Clark too.

I hope you and your family had a beautiful Easter Sunday. Filled with family and love. 

Do you have a favorite Easter Tradition?

Next Weeks Challenge (April 11) - "Something I Made"

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Disco King!

There are some games that just bring out the fun, in all of us. Disco King is one of those games and will have your whole family "rockin".

I know I am always saying, "this game is so much fun". But this game really is sooo much fun. Perfect for family night, Friday Fun, a random Wednesday, or Easter Weekend when all your family is in town and you need something to do together. Hint Hint

All you need for this game is music. Your favorite music.

Here's how you play. All the participants stand in a circle.

Pick someone to be the "Disco King". That person is at the "front" of the circle. The point of the game is to be the "Disco King".

Once you have a "Disco King", everyone will go around the circle and pick a dance move. Think Saturday Night Fever, John Travolta, Stayin Alive, if you need some ideas. The 70's and 80's provide great inspiration. The moves don't have to be crazy and you don't have to be a good dancer to play. Even a foot tap will work. So now, each player has their own dance move.

Once all of the dance moves have been established, turn on the music.

Now the fun begins. The "Disco King" gets things started by doing his/her dance move for 4 beats of the music.

Then, the "Disco King" will do someone else's dance move for 4 beats. This "passes" the dance to another player. Similar to Leader of the Band.

The person who the dance was passed to, will then do their move for 4 beats to "receive" and then will do another players dance move for 4 beats to "pass".

The game continues like this until someone misses a beat, is too slow, or makes a mistake. If someone misses a beat or messes up, the game is paused and that person moves to the "end" of the circle and everyone else shifts "up".

Remember, everyone is trying to work their way "up" to be the "Disco King".

Don't hesitate. Turn on some music, round up your family and friends and "get your groove on". I promise their will be laughing and good times.

Do you have big Easter plans? What special Easter traditions do you celebrate?

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 13-"In Your Bag"

Maybe I should call the Photo Challenge "The Better Late Than Never Challenge", because for the last 4 weeks, I have been behind. I apologize. I am going to do better.

This Week's Challenge: "In Your Bag"

I have carried a diaper bag for the last 10 years. Sure, there have been times here and there were I go back to a normal bag or purse, but a diaper bag over my shoulder is when I am most comfortable. I think I want to carry a diaper bag forever.

I opened the diaper bag tonight, and this is what I found. I didn't move a single thing. In the back, a sleeve that carries diapers and wipes. A hard book for our little one, snacks, cheerios and the new mini graham crackers. Have you seen the new mini graham crackers? They are great. Easy to break into little pieces, and they taste really good. And then, there is our 10 month old's favorite toy. The eyes belong to an elephant. She loves to chew on him. And when you squeeze the elephant, his eyes "bug" out of his head. Our daughter thinks it is so funny and loves to suck on the eyes. It is the perfect church toy and gets us through at least 30 minutes.

Although I have been slow to get these posts up, they are making a difference in my life. Documenting, slowing me down, causing me to think about the small things like our daughter's favorite toy. Amongst the craziness that I feel trying to manage a family and home, and life, these small moments of reflection are wonderful. I hope they are doing the same for you?

Next Week's Challenge (April 4): "Easter" 

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY-Leader of the Band!

This game is a great reminder that all our family members "beat to their own drum". We are all different and make a different sound. It takes all of our sounds to make the music. 

You don't need anything to play this game.

Rules:

First, have everyone sit in a circle.

Then, have everyone pick a different musical instrument. They will need to make the sound of the instrument. Some examples, violin, piano, organ, choir, guitar, flute, drums etc...

Next, establish the rhythm. Slap twice on your knees, clap twice, and then snap your fingers twice. Everyone does this together the whole game.

Now, choose someone to start the game. While everyone is doing the rhythm together, the person who started will replace the two finger snaps with the sound of their instrument. Then as the rhythm continues, they will do someone else's sound during the next set of snaps. That is how the rhythm is passed.

EXAMPLE: (If I was the drums) I would slap my knees twice, clap twice and then make the sound of drums. Then I would slap my knees twice, clap twice and then make the sound of the guitar. Whoever is the guitar now takes a turn. 

They would slap their knees twice, clap twice, and then make the sound of the guitar (to accept) and then slap their knees twice, clap twice and then make the sound of the violin (to pass).

This continues until someone messes up, mixes things up, forgets to accept or pass, or takes too long to take their turn. Then they are out. The last two players left, win.

Thank you for all your support and comments this week. Have a wonderful weekend! Our family will be sitting down to watch General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. It is one of my favorite weekends of the year.  See you on the flip side. :)

Kids Say the Darndest Things...Our 3 year old

The longer I am a parent, the more I realize that to survive parenting, I have to be able to laugh. Lately I have needed to laugh a lot.

Our three year...she is one of a kind. I hope she gives you a good laugh today too. Happy Wednesday!

Last night...
My husband was reading a bedtime story to our three oldest kids. They were reading the Berenstain Bear Book, "Road Trip".

About half way through, my husband read, "...the landscape became craggier and craggier."

Our son interrupted and asked "Dad, what does Craggier mean?"

My husband said "let's look it up", and pulled out his phone to find an exact definition.

Meanwhile our 7 year old daughter started to explain what she thought "Craggier" meant.

Our 3 year old wanted in on the conversation and spoke up saying, "I know what Crap means."

"Crap?", my husband repeated. "What do you think Crap means?"

"It means all my toys" she said.

Laughing, my husband asked, "why do think Crap means all your toys?"

She responded, "Because daddy, you always say to pick up all my Crap".


A few days ago...
I was in a public bathroom with our two oldest girls (ages 7 and 3). The bathroom was empty except for the stall next to us.

We hadn't been in there more than a minute when our 3 year old announced, "mom, that lady is really making it stink in here, pee ewww."

As you can imagine, she didn't whisper. I am pretty sure they could hear her in the men's room across the hall.

If I wasn't embarrassed enough, the lady in the stall next to us RESPONDED with "I am really sorry, I had Mexican food for lunch."

___________________________________________________________

Please explain to me, why, when kids enter bathrooms, their mouths go crazy with questions and personal statements, their tact goes out the window, and they want to touch everything, even though you have taught them otherwise?

Give us a laugh, what have your kids said that is funny/embarrassing?

12 Days of Easter: Family Activity

Our family is getting ready to start this Easter Tradition that we started last year. In case you and your family want to get started also, here is run down of how our 12 Days of Easter, works. 


Are you looking for a great family idea for celebrating Easter? Do you want your children to know there is more to Easter than Candy?

Me too!

That is why we do the 12 Days of Easter. Want to join us?

In order to finish on Easter Sunday, you will want to start (open your first egg) on Wednesday March 28th. That is this Wednesday. No worries it is really easy to get this activity prepared. You probably have everything you need at home already. 

If you want a shorter 7 day version, I will include it at the end of the post. 

Plus, even if you can get day one and two done, it buys you a few more days to put the rest together if you need it.

Remember the Easter Egg Garland we made two weeks ago? That is how I am going to display our eggs.
The kids are going to be so excited.

Here is how The 12 Days of Easter works....It shouldn't take more than about 20 minutes to put together.

Materials
12 Plastic Easter Eggs
Permanent Marker
12 Small Strips of Paper (12 more optional)
(Small items listed below)

What to do
1. With your permanent marker, write the numbers 1-12 on each of the plastic eggs. 

2. Prepare your strips of paper.
*12 of the strips will have scripture references on them, listed below.
*The other 12 will have a very short explanation of the scripture. You don't have to include this, but I am putting them in for our 6 year old who is all about reading right now. 

3. Round up your small items (listed in parentheses). Refer to the list below.

The 12 Days of Easter.

Day 1
Matthew 26:26-27, 39
(A piece of bread or a sacrament cup)

Day 2
Matthew 26: 14-15
Zechariah 11:12-14
(3 Dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver)

Day 3
Matthew 27:1-2
(Knotted Twine)

Day 4
Matthew 27:15, 17, 21, 24-26
(Chunk of Hand Soap)

Day 5
Matthew 27:28-30
Mark 15:16-17
(Square of red or purple fabric)

Day 6
Matthew 27:31-32
(Small Nail)

Day 7
Matthew 27:35
(Dice-representing casting lots)

Day 8
Matthew 27:50-51, 54
(Crushed Rocks)

Day 9
Matthew 27:57-60
(Strips of White Cloth)

Day 10
Matthew 27:60, 62-66
(Small Flat Stone)

Day 11
Mark 16:1, 2-6
(Bay Leaf or other Herb)

Day 12
Matthew 28:5-6
(Empty because HE IS RISEN!)

Arrange each day in its assigned egg and decide how you want them displayed. I am making ours into a garland. You could simply place them in a basket and display them. You could only bring out one a day, or even have your kids go on a hunt to find them each day.

Our family is going to...
Open one egg each night before we say family prayer. Our 3 year old will get to pick the egg off the garland because she is learning her numbers. Our 7 year old will read the short summary. Our 9 year old will read the scripture reference and the scripture. Then we will all discuss its meaning and what the small item represents.

After we open each egg I think we are going to clip the scriptures on the garland in between the eggs. I have some mini clothes pins that will work great. I got mine at Hobby Lobby, but you can get them at Michaels and Roberts.


7 Days of Easter (in case you get a late start, or want a shorter version)
To simplify... Just prepare the following days.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 5
Day 6
Day 9
Day 10
Day 12

What do you think? Are you going to do this with your family?
How do you teach your children the Real Meaning of Easter?

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Ooga Booga Look!

Great News, you don't need any supplies for this game.

And...your kids will think this game is hilarious.

With your family or any group of people, gather in a circle with arms on the shoulders of each person on both sides. Like a huddle.

With head and eyes looking down to the floor the group slowly starts to walk in a circle while everyone chants, ..."Ooga-Booga, Ooga-Booga, Ooga-Booga, Look!"

As soon as the group says "Look", everyone stops walking in a circle, and lifts their head to LOOK INTO THE EYES OF ANOTHER PERSON IN THE GROUP.

If two people are both looking at each other, they are out of the game. Repeat the above steps until only two players remain. They are the winners!

If you have small children, have everyone play on their knees so that you are the same height.

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 12-"Patience"

What does a brush and comb have to do with patience? When you have 3 girls, everything. The one part of my day that requires more patience than any other is when I have to use that comb and brush to get the "snags" out of our 7 year old's hair. It has really taught me to slow down and be patient. Very patient.

When do you have to show patience?

Next Week's Challenge - March 28th - "In My Bag"

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Reverse Charades

Unlike regular charades where one person acts out a word or phrase for the group, in Reverse Charades, the group acts out for one person.

All you need to play are some strips of paper with clues to act out, written on them. You can do single words, phrases, inside family jokes, you can even do bible stories (like Daniel and the Lions Den) etc. Anything will work. Single words are usually the easiest. Once you have the clues, put them in a pile on the table, or in a basket.

Before we start this game, I give every family member (or every player) 10 strips of paper and a pen. Then, every person writes down 10 clues on their papers. In less than 5 minutes we have 50+ clues and we are ready to play. It is really easy to keep the old papers on hand for a quick Reverse Charades game when our family needs something to do.

Remember, no talking.

To Play:
Have one family member stand, facing the rest of the family. They are going to be the "guesser".

Set the timer for 1 minute. The rest of the family will then pull out a strip of paper and immediately begin to act out the clue for the "guesser".

Keep track of how many words each person guesses correctly. The person who guesses the most during their turn, wins.

Family Volley Photo Challenge-Week 11-"Favorite Color"

For as long as I can remember, it has been yellow. It has always been yellow. 


Don't get me wrong. There is nothing like a great red shoe or the perfect navy skirt. I am drawn to pink because we have three girls, and my husband looks great in greens and browns. As hard as I have tried to have a new favorite, I always go back to yellow.

Yellow and white are a match made in heaven. I can't resist when they are together. Yellow is happy. White makes yellow happier. Yellow is sunshine and warmth and reminds me of my childhood. Memories of growing up are happy, sunshiny, and warm. Even love to me is yellow.

This is the centerpiece on a small child size table at my parent's house. My mom keeps it decorated for each holiday. My grandpa made it when I was little. I used to sit at the table with my mom and play. Now my mom sits with our kids at the same table and plays with them. There are tea-parties, art projects, picnic lunches, make believe, and lots of loves and laughs. The yellow and white pieces belong to the battleship game. Our daughter likes them better in the vase. So do I. 

What is your favorite color?

Next Weeks Photo Challenge - "Patience"

FAMILY FUN FRIDAY - Hula Hoop Drop

This is a great game to help your family learn to cooperate, problem solve, work together as a team and be patient with others. 

All you need is a hula hoop.

Because adults are taller than kids, it works really well to have parents play on their knees. Then everyone is closer in height.

How to Play

• Players stand in a circle around the hula-hoop. 
• Each player must place two straight fingers (one on each hand) on the hula-hoop. Supporting the hula-hoop.
• The group must then lower the hula-hoop from waist-level to the ground. 

Rules 

Both fingers much remain completely straight and must maintain contact with the hula-hoop at all times.

If anyone's finger(s) come off the hula-hoop or bend at any time the group must start over.

I know this sounds simple, but just wait. It is not as easy at it looks.

Have a great weekend!

Anyone doing anything fun?