Three Things : Weekdays + Creative Family Giveaway

We try to have at least one activity a day that we are in the moment together. That could be as simple as making root beer floats and eating them together on the porch. Each night I ask my children about their day. What did they enjoy the most? This teaches them to appreaciate each day and enjoy life.

It's a wonderful book and a great blog! Our favorite thing to do is to read at bedtime...we've read "Prince Caspian" recently before seeing the movie with our 9 yo DS...

Ali
That book looks like a great book!!! We like to go for bike rides together! With a 7, 6 and 2 year old, everyone has a fun time:)
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Sarah

Favorite thing to do as a family is travel by car. Sometimes it's just a short trip to a neighboring state; other times it's across the country. My parents did it with me, my brother and sisters, and my husband and I did (and still do) it with our daughter. Nothing like piling everyone in the car for a trip!!!

We are pretty committed to having our meals together - especially dinnner. It's a chance to sit together and talk - time to catch up and have a few giggles. And often we are eating a meal or a baked good that the twins helped to prepare - it's all good!
We also love to read and do puppet shows.
In the summer, swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's is always fabulous family time.
Thanks Ali!

This is a book that I have wish listed* over at amazon -- It would be so cool to win one!
I notice that our favorite things to do as a family change with the seasons and with the kids ages...but always involve doing something outdoors or exploring a new place. It may be quick and simple in our own backyard: like gathering by the outdoor fire and roasting marshmallows watching the sun go down or planned exploring, where we build in an extra day or afternoon to just go somewhere we've never been. On a recent trip to visit family in Ontario {Canada's so beautiful} we planned an afternoon {away from the family just a bit} to explore a nearby small town -- totally random -- we found all our favorite spots...antiques, an art store, a used bookstore, a small out of the way, homemade pizza place, even a scrapbook store {alas it was a Monday so she was closed} Each of us came away with some treasure or two but I treasure the time this gives us to talk, relax, share thoughts, laughs, etc. The kids find it fun because its someplace different each time.
and...this week thanks for reminding us to use all those ooooh-this-is-too-cool-to-recycle bits of mail.

We always eat dinner together as a family - but one time I was away from a Tues to Sun - I didn't get picked up at the airport because my brother thought I was coming on Fri. but the funniest was my son. On Fri he had finally noticed that I was missing and asked where I was. I can see how important I was!

We are doing 50 Days of Summer Fun. I have listed all the activities we are doing on my blog and I update each week and talk about what we did how the kids liked it. It keeps family who doesn't live nearby in the loop. Most of our activities use things we already have at home. It gives us a chance to be really creative and imaginative.

we do a family movie night, with sleeping bags, candy, lots of pillows and cuddling.

Hi Ali! My favorite way to spend time together is eating dinner together. Sometimes it is simply at the table, and throughout the time we go around and "count our blessings." It's a very positive time for all to reconnect. Or, we'll get a movie, order pizza and I'll make a special dessert. Just wonderful to relax together, enjoying each other's company.
--Donna

We love to go out to dinner or just be together at home. Recently, we planted a bunch of seeds and it's been fun watching them grow and bloom.

We treasure the moments when we are at the diningtable having dinner and talk the day through.

Our daughter just turned one, and I would say that our favorite thing to do these days is to snuggle in bed together as a family. The simplest things often remind us what's most important.

My favorite thing to do is go to the park or just sit and read a good book. We all love books and to be outside so it works out great!

My husband, my two year old and I like to take a walk around our neighborhood and play I spy - when that loses her interest we then play I hear (similar to I spy but w/sounds), I believe in her mind it is a grand adventure and that's cool to dad & I

It seems like life revolves arond the kitchen in our home. We cook, eat and clean up together and always seem to sing, dance and tell jokes and stories about the day along the way. We all seem to love this time together and the bonus is that my 8 kids are learning responsibility by helping with the family's chores in a really fun way. The kids can't wait for this time and even get out of the pool to help! Gotta love that! :)

Sing. It is such a simple thing that you can do anytime, anywhere. We all (especially our little boy) respond to the positive energy that we get from singing and music. Plus, there is some great kids music out there these days. Elizabeth Mitchell (You are my Sunshine) and the new Barenaked Ladies (Snacktime!) albums are my current favorites.

We're getting excited because it's almost warm enough to start going to the drive-in again!
It's definitely one of our favorite things to do as a family... we put the kids in comfy jammies, pack the car full of blankets, pillows, snacks and bug spray and get there early enough that we have time to play catch, take a turn on the swings and talk about all kinds of things before the movies start.
I can't wait!

We have a tradition of going downtown to the library almost every Saturday. We read, do puzzles, play with the toys. It fosters our love of books with our son.

My favorite thing to do as a family is to cook together. I have five year old triplets and they love helping with the prep AND the cleanup. So fun to watch them having so much fun.

We love reading books before bedtime! Love your blog-there's always something inspirational to come see!

I am a big fan of the super simple "eating dinner together" as one of the best ways for us to stay connected. we try to eat together at least 5 nights a week. It really is a great way to unwind, hear a bit about everyone's day and truly feel like a family.

We eat dinner together every night as a family and on the weekends we watch cartoons in mommy and daddy's bed before we go down for breakfast.

This looks like a great book!
Amber
California

Last year my husband and I bought bikes and a kiddie trailer and go for bike rides all summer long, checking out all the paths and taking the bikes with when we go camping.
Been eyeing this book, and would love to win it! --Rachelle B.