Going screen free....

For quite a few years now our family has participated in a week long fast during the spring from all forms of social media, video games and t.v. However this year it will be a lil bit harder because the kids have grown far beyond the world of make believe & Legos. Plus Killian is slightly (as in completely) addicted to video games & cant seem to fathom that there is anything else you could possibly do with your time. So for the sake of keeping us all sane I thought it would be best to make a list of possible activities. Of course if you happen to see me running, screaming through the streets naked lend a girl a hand & get me online immediately.Feel free to join us, not naked in the streets, but in any of this weeks activities. ;-)

• Schoolwork- We'll still be doing our homeschooling so we've got a week full of science experiments and lots of not so fun reading & writing. 
• Cleaning out the front garden- Yep screen free week often means spring cleaning week.
• Organizing our camping gear- To save ourselves from temptation we plan on going camping next weekend.
• Make a few yummy desserts and then sit and stare at each other while we eat them. Ideas...Lunch Lady Brownies, Hocus Pocus Buns,
• Cook dinner together as a family. 
• Go fishing.
• Bring in all the neighbors trash cans on garbage day.
• Toss the football, shoot some hoops, play soccer or throw a frisbee- Hum we might need some sporting equipment. 
• Do dinner at the park. 
• Go letterboxing.
• Make a family date at the lake.
• Visit McClung museum.
• Read the bible with the kids before going to bed.
• Play some croquet.
• Surprise some neighbors with mowed lawns or some other much needed help.
• Go mini golfing.
• Spend some time at UT Gardens. 
• Pretend like were photographers and do our own backyard photo shoot with everyone trying there hand at it.
• Start a game of baseball with friends.
• Visit the East TN Historical society and do a side trip to Rita's.
• Explore some of the greenways on bike.
• Take a hike.
• Build a toad home or fairy garden.
• Do tons of spring cleaning.
• Be a night detective and see what animals you can spot at night. Night goggles mandatory. 
• Build something from scratch.
• Go bowling.
• Build a backyard obstacle course.
• Play balloon paddle ball.
• Play a game from our past such as jacks, pick up sticks or marbles.Ok by the time I was 8 video games had already been introduced, but oh well you get the point.
• Have a backyard treasure hunt.
• Visit Ijams.
• Bake a loaf of bread and do our own family communion. 
• Shoot BB guns.
• Have a backyard campfire complete with ghost stories and roasted hot dogs. 
• Visit the animal shelter and love on some animals.
• Take snacks to the homeless and love on people.
• Pick up garbage in the neighborhood.
• Learn to use our sewing machine.
• Work on our secret hide out. 
• Make some treats for the neighbors and love on them.
• Do a lemonade stand with kool aid and sweets instead.
• Visit Knoxville Museum of Art.
• Do at home mani-pedis (boys included).
• Go to library and read, read, read.
• Beat the kids at Monopoly, Phase 10 or some other game. 
• Create something beautiful.   

Fall Family Fun...

So I am getting a head start on fall this year and wanted to share some of the fun things we will be doing. God willing. Feel free to join us.
Fall Family Fun

Traditions....

I am a creature of habit and although I love new experiences my heart craves something constant. Something that records the passage of time and brings a rhythm to life. I guess that's why I love traditions. I love the things that stand as a reminder of the past, joy in the present and hope in the future.

I love the way God has placed his own constants in creation; the sun will rise, the sun will set, winter must come, but spring will follow. So for me each season holds its own mystery, but also its own common theme. I also love how traditions have a significance all their own depending on the people involved and for that reason I have left many traditions to the past or reinvented them.

I want memories that can only be captured in scents, sounds, taste and texture. Things that cannot be caught in a photograph, but must be revisited in the heart.

For my family each season holds its on traditions (its own set of heart held photographs) that have been known to change over the years, but have provided that sense of constant I crave. And one of my favorite things is sharing those traditions with others. So in the year ahead I am going to take the time to share my families traditions with you and also share some others that might fit your family better.

I will make it a habit to share more of my own life with you and would love if you shared in a comment some of your own traditions.