What a zoo!

I haven't been to the Hogle Zoo for a few years. Wow! They've made some improvements. What a great zoo! I took my 18 month-old and my nearly 3 year old a few days ago. Good timing. They start charging at age 3. Anyway, we had a wonderful time! The kids really loved all of the animals, naming them, mimicing them and talking all about them. We caught the bird show (which I highly recommend!) and rode the train. Fun was had by all! So, if you're looking for a good place to spend a day with the family, don't forget about the zoo. It's a classic.

Cache-in' in!

A couple of weeks ago our family became the proud owners of a GPS system. You know what that means. Yup. We've started geocaching. So fun! There are so many geocaches out there, even close by. Everyone in the family enjoys it and we take turns. I highly recommend it for good, clean, cheap family fun. If you are already in the geocaching crowd and find a log with SKAK listed, we beat you to it!

Simple Family Home Evening

Have you ever noticed that there are usually 13 steps on a staircase? Well, that is the case at my home. A simple and fun family night is to practice the 13 Articles of Faith. Everyone starts at the bottom step and you go step by step reciting the articles of faith. This is fun and helpful for primary aged children, not to mention it is always a good refresher course for mom and dad. :)

Spooky Mad Lib

For a quick and easy family activity around Halloween time, just gather the kids together for a mad lib ghost story. Probably more giggles than spooks! For extra fun, do it around a blazing fireplace and serve cider and doughnuts. Enjoy!


Ghost Story Mad Lib Word List
Fill in the blanks below with the words and parts of speech noted beside each blank.

_______________(01) room or building (eg. barn, attic)
_______________(02) adjective
_______________(03) adjective
_______________(04) something that gives off an odor
_______________(05) adjective
_______________(06) adjective
_______________(07) thing (singular noun)
_______________(08) thing (singular noun)
_______________(09) adjective
_______________(10) present tense verb
_______________(11) past tense verb
_______________(12) number
_______________(13) body part
_______________(14) past tense (-ed) verb
_______________(15) adverb
_______________(16) present tense verb
_______________(17) adjective
_______________(18) thing (singular noun)
_______________(19) thing (singular noun)
_______________(20) present tense verb
_______________(21) -ing verb
_______________(22) present tense verb
_______________(23) past tense verb
_______________(24) past tense verb
_______________(25) present tense verb
_______________(26) name of someone you know
_______________(27) -ing verb
_______________(28) past tense verb
_______________(29) past tense verb
_______________(30) past tense verb
_______________(31) past tense verb
_______________(32) body part
_______________(33) -ing verb
_______________(34) adjective
_______________(35) -ing verb
_______________(36) adverb
_______________(37) name of someone you know
_______________(38) -ing verb
_______________(39) things (plural noun)
_______________(40) thing (singular noun)





Ghost Story Mad Lib Story
Transfer your word list answers to the corresponding numbers in the story below.
We weren’t allowed to go in the _______________(01) and we really didn’t want to—it was _______________(02) and _______________(03) and smelled like (a) ______________(04). The steps leading down into the ___________(01) were ___________(05) and there was a _______________(06) _______________(07) next to the _______________(08). It felt _______________(09) and we wanted to
_______________(10). We ____________(11) toward the ____________(01), ____________(12) steps at a time till our _______________s(13) _______________(14) _______________(15) and we were too scared to _______________(16).
There was always a _______________(17) _______________(18) coming up from below the _______________(19) and we weren’t brave enough to _______________(20) it. One day there was a _______________(21) sound. It was coming from the _______________(01). We wanted to know what was making the sound, but we were afraid we might _____________(22). We ______________(23) and _____________(24), but each time the fear would _____________(25) over us, and we would back away, terrified. Finally, _______________(26) decided to face the fear and go down to the _______________(01). When we didn't hear _______________(27) we became encouraged and followed behind, praying we would not be _______________(28) by whatever it was that _______________(29) and _______________(30) down there. When we made it to the very bottom, we _______________(31), _______________s(32) wrapped tightly around
each other, barely _______________(33). Then, we saw it. It was _____________(34) and it was ____________(35) _______________(36). We moved closer, we couldn’t breathe ...
It was _____________(37) _____________(38) the ______________(39)
in the _______________(40).
THE END

Shhhhhh!

"At the library you will find books of every shape and kind! At the library, the librareeeeee!"
(I've recently been diagnosed with Sesame Streetitis)
When looking for fun family activities, try the library. They are always having storytelling, demonstrations, fun shows and activities for minimal or no cost. That's in addition to being able to borrow and take home anything you find there...for free! Books, movies, music, magazines games, etc. We went this morning and I haven't seen any of my kids all afternoon. Quiet, resourceful kids expanding their minds...priceless!

Gardner Village

October is primo time to go and visit Gardner Village. The weather is great, the shops are so fun, and the witches are out! It's free, too. Everything is decorated for fall and Halloween. So many photo ops. The only down side is you will probably have to dole out a bit of cash at Sweet Afton's candy shop (not such a bad thing!).

Enjoy the Simple moments

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. ~Thomas Jefferson

I had an opportunity today to enjoy a simple moment. I was a little stressed and came upstairs and saw my three youngest girls lying on their backs, enjoying each others' company. So, I decided to join them. We started singing and laughing and we made a wonderful memory. So, today...take a moment to make a memory. There are so many things that we let occupy our time, let's let FAMILY be one of them. And don't forget to document it somehow! :)

Some ideas:
*Watch a sunset together
*Lay out on the trampoline and count the stars
*Sing while cooking dinner with the family
*Go for a walk around the block
*Go for a drive and look at the colors of Fall
*Pick a leaf and put it under a paper and color over it with a crayon..that is always fun
*Start reading a book as a family, maybe under a blanket with flashlights :)