Have A Family Game Night With EA Sports NCAA Football 12

 Family Fun, Reviews  5 Responses »
Jul 022012
 

Summer is a great time of year – expect for one thing.  There’s no football!  From the moment the seasons end until the day training starts, my husband and A2 are lamenting the loss of games on TV.  I don’t necessarily lament the break in the season (I do enjoy all the baseball games in the interim), but I do miss football, also.  As I’ve mentioned probably a hundred times, we’re BIG University of Kentucky fans and love attending the games at Commonwealth Stadium.

So what is a football fan to do when there’s no football on TV?  Play football video games, of course!

#NCAAfootball13

Here are just a few of our console games – notice all the football titles?

In addition to being football fans, we’re a family of gamers.  Whether it’s an online game, PC game, console game – or even board games! – you can often find at least one of us mashing a few buttons.  Right now we’ve been playing a lot of  EA Sports NCAA Football 12 in order to get ready for the release of NCAA Football 13! Continue reading »

Backyard Staycation Ideas: Hawaiian Luau

 Family Fun, For the Kids, travel  9 Responses »
Jun 262012
 

Backyard Staycation: Luau

Summer is here and that means a lot of families will be taking vacations.  Many of the folks I’ve talked to, though, have said they’re likely doing close-to-home roadtrips or staycations this year due to the economy.  I thought I would share with you all some ideas for vacationing close to home.

This week’s ideas will be as close to home as you can get – your own backyard!  You could also have them in your family room if the weather doesn’t cooperate or if you don’t have a backyard (or if you’re not a fan of bugs!).

Today’s idea is for a Backyard Hawaiian Trip and Luau! Continue reading »

Looking For Affordable Family Fun Activities? Hold A Family Appreciation Night!

 Family Fun  4 Responses »
May 302012
 

Affordable Family Fun: Family Appreciation Night

I really enjoy reading Formula Mom’s blog.  Mariah always has great crafts, fun giveaways, and yummy-looking recipes.  A couple of weeks ago she wrote about having a family appreciation night as a fun, affordable family activity.

Mariah suggested giving each family member a jar or cup, and then passing out slips of paper.  Each person would write two or three compliments for each person and drop them in that family member’s cup.  Then they would take turns reading aloud the compliments they had received.

I totally see that as something we’ll be doing in the future.  I think it would be fun to make it a monthly thing.  Instead of cups and paper slips, though, I will probably cut out a rectangle per person of kraft paper.  Prior to dinner I would place the pieces on the table next to their plates, and then everyone could come in and write or draw their compliments for each person.  I’d pick them up before we ate, and then after dessert I’d pass them back out and everyone could take turns reading theirs (a good reminder of what we like about each other in case any squabbles came up during dinner!).

I’d reuse the rectangles at each family appreciate night until both the front and back side of each was full.  Then I would cover them with contact paper and use them as placemats.  This way we’d continually be reminded of the compliments we received and how much we love each other!

Do you have any special, affordable ways that you like to celebrate your family and show appreciation for one another?

5 Summer Vacation “Must Sees”

 Family Fun, travel  2 Responses »
May 232011
 

Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

5 Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

Summer is knocking on our door and schools all over the country are starting to let out.  A2’s last day of school is Friday.  He’ll have football-related activities most of the summer so he won’t have much time for summer vacation trips.  Which actually works out, because Baby C is a little young to take to most vacation spots that interest a 15-year-old.

There are lots of places on our list to visit in upcoming summers, however, and many places that I’m excited to be able to experience through Baby C’s eyes as she sees them for the first time.  My in-laws were over yesterday and we got to talking about their upcoming trip to Europe this summer.  That conversation segued into talking about favorite vacation places, places everyone should see, etc.  A1 wants our next vacation to be someplace cold with mountains and a lake (but not to swim in) and A2 wants to go on a cruise in the Bahamas.  (If anyone knows of a cold, mountainous region in the Bahamas to make them both happy, let me know?)

So when SocialMoms asked today about our top five summer getaways that we feel all kids should experience, I had no problem coming up with a list.  Some of these are places I visited as a kid myself, some are places we’ve gone recently as a family, and some are places on our to-do list in the next couple of years.

Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

1)  Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

I would be totally remiss if Disney World didn’t top on my list.  I first visited Disney with my parents when I was in the 1st grade.  They had won a family trip as part of a promotion with one of the companies that my father worked with.  I remember being totally blown away as we stood looking at Cinderella’s Castle while we waited to enter the Magic Kingdom and how much I giggled as Goofy played with my hair when I got his autograph.  How much I fell in love with Figment and all the science museum-esque interactive exhibits at the end.  And how the countries were so much fun while being educational at the same time.  Disney adds new stuff frequently so there is always something new for kids to experience.

Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

2) Boston, MA

You get a great sense of history while in Boston.  You can do everything from follow the path of Paul Revere to (if you drive a few miles outside the city) take in the home of the Salem witch trials.  There is a ton of stuff to keep kids interested and occupied, like the Children’s Museum, New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Fanueil Hall, Fenway Park and much more.  Plus you can sample cuisine that’s local to New England, like lobster and clam chowder or a Fenway Frank.

Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

3)  Grand Canyon

This is one that we haven’t yet experienced but is on our “must see” list.  I think that everyone should stand on the edge and be in awe and wonder of nature and what it can create and do.  The Grand Canyon is one place where nature has really made it’s mark.  You can also get in some white water rafting which is an activity that is great for kids (and adults!).  You’ll see all the grandeur up close and personal while being on an exciting thrill ride.

Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

4)  Santa’s Village & Storyland

Up in the White Mountains are three themed amusement parts: Santa’s Village, Storyland, and Six Gun City.  My two personal favorites that are especially great for younger children are the first two I listed.  At Santa’s Village everything is (of course) Christmas themed.  Kids can feed Santa’s reindeer, meet the elves and sit on the lap of the Big Man himself.  There are also a bunch of rides and shows with winter- and Christmas-inspired names.  Be sure to stop by and get your free reindeer-shoe nail ring made as you watch by the blacksmith.  Storyland is all about Nursery Rhymes and other children’s stories.  There is Mother Goose, the Old Lady in the Shoe with all her kids, Little Miss Muffet and her tuffet, and many others.  As with Santa’s Village there are also a bunch of rides (including a water tube and a hot air balloon) that kids will love.  It’s a really fun park with a unique theme; we went a number of times when I was a kid and it never got old.

Summer Vacation Travel Ideas

5)  Washington, D.C.

I think that everyone, kids included, should understand the history of our country and how our legislation works.  Places to see in the District of Columbia include the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and the Smithsonian.  D.C. is another location that’s still on our “to do” list.  I know I’m personally most looking forward to the Smithsonian; my father went when I was younger while on a business trip and brought me back a number of souvenirs from the museum that have me itching to experience it on my own.

What would be your top five?  I’m really interested in hearing about them as we continue to make our vacation plans over the next few summers.  Anything that interests teens and/or toddlers would be especially great to know!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

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