Watch Ya' Mouth

It's not very often that I see a video on Facebook that makes me laugh. Usually I sit there wondering what the heck everyone else is seeing in it. However, this morning I saw a video that had me laughing so hard I had tears coming out of my face! With just this little piece of plastic, and a couple of siblings, hilarity ensues. I will definitely be playing this game with my family and/or friends very soon!!

10 Awesome Family Service Project Ideas

Monday, January 19th, is National Day of Service. What better excuse to get out with your family to do something for someone else. We have done this with our kids a few times over the years and it's always been such a positive experience. It really puts things into perspective and helps your kids realize just how blessed their lives are and to be thankful for the things they have. Here are ten amazing service projects you can do with the entire family.

Homemade Pizza Night

Today, September 22nd, is Family Day. What a great day to celebrate! Spend time in the kitchen tonight making homemade pizza together. Then, gather around the table, eat pizza, sip on soda and play games. I can't think of a better way to spend the evening. Here is my famous (at least with my family and friends) pizza crust. Have a great night with the family!

FREE Printable Movie Night Tickets

I know my last post has gotten you all excited about having a movie night! Whether you decide to set up a little theater in your backyard, or just go the easy route and have it inside, these movie tickets will make the event even more like a party. I have put together a few printable movie tickets that you can give your guests ahead of time to get them excited about the cinematic evening. Pop some popcorn, gather up all the fluffy pillows and blankets and have a cozy night in.

Take It Outside

With today's technology it's easier than ever to be portable. We can work at out computers at the same time we are tanning on the deck outside and play video games from 30,000 feet in the air while flying over the Pacific. Why not take full advantage of this technology and move your weekend movie to the back yard?

5 Fun Bowling Games

I am not a bowler. I like to bowl, but you will not see me twirling three times, skittering up to the lane on my tip toes, and throwing my ball for a strike Fred Flintstone style. Usually if I am in a bowling alley it's for something fun to do with the kids, hubby and/or friends. Over the years we have acquired a few fun "bowling games" to make the experience of gutter balls less humiliating and more entertaining. Here are our top 5 fun bowling games.

Fondu Frenzy

If you have never tried fondu before, this is a very fun activity to do for your next family meal. Fondu pots can be found for as little as $20 - 30 a piece - even less if you keep your eyes open at thrift stores and garage sales. You can go with just one, but it is even more fun if you have a couple for different recipes: cheese and chocolate recipes are a must.

Bohnanza - The Bean Game

This simple game was introduced to us by the Hamblins (Aaron's little sister Amy, who is a regular guest writer here on FS). It's really easy, fun and can incorporate a wide age range - ages 8 and up - so everyone feels included.

It's a game of trading, planting and harvesting beans: and the more you get the more money you earn to win the game. Sounds kind of corny I know, we thought the same thing at first, but it is really a mindlessly fun game!

Gossip Is Like Toothpaste

Years ago we were having a family discussion about gossip and the dangers of saying things about other people. When trying to explain something to young kids, it almost always is helpful to have an example to go along with it for better understanding. I used toothpaste, and it worked great.

Kick Bones

Jess wants to take a bunch of games with her to school when she goes: games, movies and a popcorn popper will hopefully help make her one of the social hubs of her floor. We bought her a pack of dice and started learning some dice games. This one is super quick to learn, fun to play and all of the game pieces can fit into your pocket.

FREE Pedigree and Family History Pages

Family History Day is coming up on June 14th. This would be a great opportunity to sit down as a family and fill out a pedigree chart and some family group sheets. It really helps everyone visualize who your family is and where you come from.

I have prepared these pages for you - just print them out and you're all ready to go.

Dealing With Bullies

I hate bullies! Always have... not that anyone loves a bully, but I have a zero tolerance for one person exerting their "power" over another. I can never sit idly by when I see a person being cowed by someone else: no matter what the situation is. 

It's important to teach our kids how to treat others around them, even if they are different: to be able to stick up for the kids being bullied, even if it's difficult: to be able to know what to do when being bullied, even if it's scary.

5 Benefits of Gardening With Kids

It's that time of year again. Time to turn the soil, bury seeds in the earth and lovingly plant starts. Whether your thing is flowers, edibles, or in my case both, planting a garden can be a totally enriching experience for the entire family.

Pass The Pigs

When our kids were little, this was one of our favorite games. We have played it on family nights, camping trips and in hotels on road trips. It's simplicity made it possible for everyone to play and have a great time. Even if your kids are too small to ad up their own points, they will have fun chucking the pigs across the table. We used to make bumpers on our table with our arms for Jessica, when it was her turn. It's cheap, easy and extremely portable. Perfect.

5 Tips For Movie Night Success

We are huge movie buffs; we can come up with an appropriate movie quote in just about any given situation.  Netflix is the next best thing in our house since sliced bread. One of our favorite things to do on a Friday night is make pizza and cozy into a great movie. We are not picky about genre, variety is great - as long as it's a good flick we are happy. A movie that will generate laughter or a great topic of conversation are always our favorites.

Here are our top five tips for making movie night successful and more fun. Make your next family night a movie night!

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

If you have teenagers, I highly recommend reading this book as a family! We did this several years ago with our kids. Even though, at the time they acted like they hated it, it has really sunk in with them; we hear them all of the time, even now, quoting things from it. We took one small section a week on our family night, and read it together and discussed it. It really prompted some great discussions with our teens on peer pressure, motivation and what their principals are.

Want to know what the 7 steps are? Here they are in a quick list.

Volunteer Together

Volunteering together is a very humbling and bonding experience. We have done this off and on over the years in different combinations - as a family, as a couple or just one on one with the kids - and each time has been just as fulfilling. There are a lot of opportunities out there and it really helps you realize how incredibly blessed you are in your life.

3 Rules We Use To Make Uno More Exciting!

Uno is probably the game that we play the most here in the Cheney home. It's fun, fast and easy. Plus, it's extremely portable so it's perfect for taking on vacations and camping trips.

Don't be fooled by it's simplicity though. We have incorporated a few rules over the years that make this game cut throat and exciting. Be careful, or you will be drawing 20 cards in this house: we play "Speed Uno"

Carcassonne Board Game

This is our family's all time favorite game. It is a tile-based board game in which you are building cities, roads and farms and trying to amass more than your opponent. The beauty of this game is it can be played with as few as two people and as many many as five (six with one of the expansions). Either way it is just as fun and just as long. It is not drawn out longer the more people you have playing. The other appeal? It is never the same game twice.

5 Reasons To Start A Regular Family Night

It's Monday night. Our family has just gotten finished with dinner and we are gathering in the family room. It's our night to be together. This has been the scene in our home for the past 20 years. Now that our kids are grown we do not do this weekly like we used to, but while they were growing up we were religious about it. Find a night, any night that works for your family and make it a family night.