TRON party!!

"Greetings Programs!"  TRON party at the Hutton's!!

This Saturday we had a little showing of both of the TRON movies at our house.  The last few weekends Rod and I had a lot of social obligations and before that our family hosted a bible study for 6 weeks so our family was in need of a fun family night.  While I was in Walmart one day I saw the new "TRON Legacy" movie and picked it up since my family is sort of geeky about these things.  Then Chris picked up the original version TRON from the 80's.  So I marked the calendar for the "TRON party" Saturday, April 16,2011.
On the schedule: while we watched the original "TRON" we ate neon cup cakes, licorice sticks, which were like the light motorcycles (you have to watch the movie), blue jello and yes, glow sticks for everyone. The little girls played with the glow sticks in the dark hall way  before they went to bed.  The rest of us wore glow sticks while we watched "TRON Legacy".   Such simple ways to make a regular movie night into something memorable and fun for all ages.

We been known to plan these small events in the past.  During Christmas vacation we might watch the Star Wars movies starting at the beginning to the last one, we love Stargate Atlantis and would watch 2 episodes per night on the week end until we finish an entire season, we watched to Narnia series or Rod and the kids watch the Harry Potter series right before they go to see the newest one coming out.  I usually make a special meal and/or a special dessert for that evening.   We are all excited and anticipate being together.  We talk about what will happen or our favorite part, we quote funny lines etc.  It is just fun and we bond closer together as a family.    I love our family nights.   I pray for continued fun and love for one another and I hope my kids carry out some of these kinds of traditions with their families.

 End of Line

Bell of the Ball

This weekend the Submarine Force celebrated its 111th Birthday and here in Omaha, NE (yes Nebraska) there was a celebration of the long history and traditions of the United States Submarine Force.  Just about every year, for the last 22 years, Rod and I attend this event where ever we have lived.  Our kids have seen us all dressed up said good bye to us as we departed for the ball.

Well this year we brought Chris with us.  This year is a big year for him, he is graduating from high school and as most high schoolers are going to prom we thought we would do something a little different.  The ball has been part of our life, Chris is familiar with it and we are proud to give him the chance to see a little more of the Naval heritage that has become such a big part of our lives.

So we bought him a suit and dressed him up and cleans up quite nice.  We had a professional photo taken of the 3 of us as well as many photos at the event.  He shook hands and had conversations with a variety of people from admirals, local city representatives and other officers in the military.  He tried new foods, experienced the many traditions of the submarine and Naval protocol and got a glance of those crazy dancers out on the dance floor.
Chris behaved as a very respectable young man.  Rod and I are so proud of him.  I do believe he was the "bell of the ball".  Many people commented on enjoying having a conversation with him and what fine young man he is.  We couldn't agree more.

Thank you God, for choosing us to be Chris' parents.  Thank you that you've entrusted us to train him up in the way he should go through the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Thank you for working in his heart to be more and more like Your Son Jesus.  Continue Your work in him.
We thank you Lord for what you will do in his life.
In Jesus name
Amen

Sunday's at the Hutton's

Playin' Texas Holdem'.
Yes we are playing poker with our kids on Sunday night.   Tim has begun volunteering at the Veteran's Home down the street and the primary activity he can help out with is playing games with the gentlemen who live there.  We are using our homeschool time and family time to teach him (and the other 2 big kids) to play various card games.  Believe it or not we are also teaching Tim to serve.  Along with the rules of the games and critical thinking, strategy and fun we focus on courtesy, polite conversation and the little things that make a good winner/loser.
Playing board games, dice and card games has become one of our favorite ways to spend time together, even me, who is usually the one to poo-poo the idea, I have begun to enjoy our family game times.  We have even started to bring cards and dice to the restaraunt and the little girls can help an older child or parent, it keeps our attention and focuses our conversation with the family working on various opportunities to teach manners.
We also love having other families over or even couples without kids to play board games etc.  Sometimes those families teach us new games or visa versa but it is a great way to get to know each other.  The kids get to learn how to behave while conversing with adults.  It is also a way to move conversations from the silly to thoughtful, from encouraging to teaching moments for all.

So what have we learned from this that we might pass on...

If you don't spend a lot of time with the whole family or have a reason to invite other families over, you may want to consider having a regular family game night each week.  Use the Sabbath, Sunday for family time playing board games etc., bond with the kids and the kids to each other by having everyone focus their time on one activity.  Think about conversation starters, look for opportunities to see character issues in your children (and yourself) that you can direct gentle leading towards correction.  Issues like arguing between siblings, impatience with others taking turns, offering unwanted advice, raising voices, sneaky peaking (at cards), talking ALL THE TIME!,  and other behaviors that would be considered rude if an adult did them. (These are all things our family constantly needs to work on...) Be creative with your solutions to these issues.  Discuss courtesy to your neighbor, fair play, Love your neighbor as yourself, offer encouragement for appropriate behavior.  Think about seating arrangements, what are the things that trigger the behavior issues and plan accordingly.  Offer alternative responses to arguments, maybe the talkative child does not know how much they talk, gently mention this and speak to them about the fruits of the spirit including self control, give them gentle signals that they are talking to much and they should give someone else a turn.
Lastly, this beginning training phase can be very frustrating, noisy and you may come away feeling exhausted but don't give up.  Keep having the game nights, decide to enjoy your family and encourage each other to participate.  Pray for transformation in you and your children as you commit time to developing good communication skills and manners in your family.    You will reap what you sew if you do not give up, good fruit will come from your efforts.  It certainly has made a difference for us and we have had a blast at the same time...God bless you all!!