Family Fun: Cowboy Cookout with 'Truth or Dare'

Howdy pardners. It's time for some family fun. Yeeharrr!

This is the one you've all been waiting for - or at least I have. Waiting for the time and space to finally share with you our BEST family theme night ever.
This one was so much fun. A night that will live on in memory and family lore forever.

Mr G and I had just returned from a week in Hawaii (as you do) and we'd been missing our kids big-time. We were craving a family hang-out and some fun together, and in a flash of inspiration I landed on just the thing.
Back in November when Dash had his Wild West Campout party I had created a game of "Spin the Bottle Truth or Dare" that we never actually got to use. The truth and dare cards were still sitting there untouched, along with a specially labeled "Snake Oil Truth Serum" bottle, as yet unspun.
When I stumbled across my Snake Oil bottle at the back of a shelf, I thought, We should play this game! Oooh, and do a cowboy theme... I know - a cookout!
Before you could lasso yourself a heifer we were off and away, throwing together a fun family night at home in our backyard, cowboy style.

(The Truth or Dare Game printables are at the bottom of the post for you to grab and use.)

The weather was clear and mild, even though it was mid-Winter - perfect for a cookout.
So me and my right hand cowgirl, Miss Fab, got to work setting it all up purty, using stuff left over from Dash's party, hats from the dress up box and anything else we could find lying around that helped set the tone for a Cowboy Cookout.

 Rustic Jar lanterns, red white and blue cushions & cloths, old bunting...

Daddy fired up the brazier and we put the sausages, chicken and corn cobs on skewers over the fire 

(along with some garlic-buttered foil-wrapped pita bread)

 The food was simple and tasty and effortless, washed down with ginger beer, 

eaten in in the smoky fresh air under the clouds stars...

(We love doing cookouts on the brazier)

It was mighty nice. Sedate. Civilised.
Until we started spinning that bottle.
He he.

SPIN THE BOTTLE "TRUTH OR DARE"

TO PLAY YOU NEED:
One bottle (Snake Oil label optional)
One set of Truth slips (in a can)
One set of Dare Slips (in a can)
One jug of Penalty Juice (a disgusting concoction mixed from whatever liquids you have in your pantry)
plus an egg cup to drink from

One person spins the bottle. Whoever it points to has to choose "Truth" or "Dare", and then pick a slip of paper from their chosen can

They have to either complete the dare (if they chose "dare") or answer truthfully (if they chose "truth") or drink an eggcups worth of penalty juice. Ugh. (Very motivational, especially after the first person tastes it)

Oh boy did we have a hoot. Some of the dares were fairly tame...

...or just a bit wincey...

Others were silly...

...some were flippin hilarious...

...and some were just *slightly* embarrassing...

(Just as well we have awesome neighbours)

"Truths" were less popular than dares and after we had run out of dares, we kept on going making them up on the spot (we made it that the person who spun the bottle had to set the dare, but if they did one that was too silly, it would backfire on them and THEY would have to drink the penalty juice).

As the sun went down and the photo quality diminished, the laughs and warm fuzzies increased exponentially.

After toasting some marshmallows, we all cuddled up around the fire, and calmed things down with our favourite campfire game, "True or False"

TRUE OR FALSE: Each person has to make three statements about themselves. Two are true. One is false. All the players have to guess which are the true and which are the false statements. When everyone has guessed, the correct answer is revealed.

This is such a simple game, but oh so funny - and a great way to get to know each other. There are always some surprises (things you learn about each other that you didn't know) and some rip-snorting laughs as well  - especially when you play it with Miss Fab and Scrag who *just barely* grasp the rules.

"Hang on, Fab, those three things are ALL true...!"
"Oh. oops! I forgot to do a false one..." (every time)

"I like running. I like basketball. I've been to the moon."
"Um, gee Scrag... is it I've been to the moon that's the false one?"
"CORRECT!"
He he.

Love love love hanging out with this bunch. They are flippin great company and a really good laugh.

And it wouldn't be a campfire night without some of daddy's "growing up in Newcastle" stories...

(miss you Rorz!)

Like I said, best darned family night we've EVER had.

Nobody wanted to go to bed. Nobody wanted ANYBODY to go to bed. We just wanted to stay snuggled under those blankets by the fire, telling stories, forever.

So if you want to give it a go (and really, why wouldn't you?) here's the printables.
Right click. Save to your computer. Print. Snip. Stick the label on a bottle. Play.
ENJOY.

 

(I'd love to hear from you if you do this with your family - let me know how it goes!)

Gratitude & Glory

You know how someone says something to you sometimes and it gets you thinking? Makes you search your soul, ask yourself hard questions?

Last night I received a comment from a long-time friend on the post I wrote about "Taking the Long Way Round". In case you missed it the post was sharing my new-found understanding about my recent "dyslexia" diagnosis, and here's what my friend had to say...

..."when I think of you, I think of how blessed you are, not about all the things you think of when you think of you! In fact, I often struggle with feeling jealous of your amazing creativity, your ideas in parenting and of how God has blessed you with a lovely lovely home, incredible opportunities and success in the blogging world and in your writing as well as in your travel opportunities. In fact, I have to laugh sometimes, every time I think of something I would like to do one day, there you are the next week blogging that you've just done it! God has certainly blessed you amazingly, I don't think you realize just how much!"

Jeepers. All of a sudden I started thinking, what if I come off as a show-off on here? (Do I?) I really am blessed in so many ways... do I actually give enough credit where credit's due? Am I expressing gratitude and "giving glory" to the one that deserves it the most? i.e. God. the Big Guy. The Man Upstairs.

Every single grateful post i have ever written has actually been aimed at Him, really. I might not have actually said it, but if I am GRATEFUL, I must be grateful TO SOMEONE. That Someone is the Person whose grace has literally carried me, at times when I could not face the world. The Person who is the source of all my blessings and Who deserves all the credit, all the glory.

So just in case I wasn't clear enough, today's Grateful Post is dedicated to God, to whom I am literally Eternally Grateful.

Here are just some of the things I am grateful to Him for...


I'm Grateful for the material blessings in my life. I grew up in a household where we were never able to get out of overdraft. Hand-me-downs and making do was the name of the game. In my working life I was employed by a number of not-for-profit organisations, where you apply for grants to cover your salary and do cleaning to make up the shortfall and pay the rent (on your tiny box-like room). I know what it's like to go without, which only makes me appreciate my material blessings more...

...Like being in the position I am work-wise, with hubby's income being enough. God knew that I was in a very broken place and he provided a safe secure way for me to heal. I didn't have to rush back to the pressure of working before I was ready. Even now I can go at my own pace and build up my little businesses at a level I can cope with. I am constantly in awe of this amazing blessing and how God has protected and provided for me.

Grateful for "hearts desires fulfilled" i.e. TRAVEL. We didn't travel as a family when I was growing up, but the travel bug bit me at age 16 when my aunty & uncle paid for me to go to Canada. "To Travel and See the World" was one of those secret desires I had. So what happens? I marry someone from the UK who grew up hopping across the Channel to Europe. Now his job provides opportunities for us to travel as a family and just the two of us, more often than I would have ever dreamed. I am so grateful.

Grateful for my own Home - and a beautiful one at that. I won't bore you with my back-story (constant moving, rented homes, a whole page in my aunty's phone book to allow for all my changes of address). Suffice it to say that when I walked up the driveway of this house I fell in love and have not fallen out of love yet. I am incredibly grateful for the timing and provision which made owning this house in this neighbourhood possible. A series of divine setups. A Miracle. I am grateful every day, to Him, for my Home.

Incredibly Grateful for my counsellor. We found her through a series of events, when I hit rock bottom after more than 10 years battling depression. She is the most amazing wise, skilled counsellor who has helped save our marriage, helped me come off medication and has gotten to the root of the issues. PLUS she "just happens" to be an expert on dyslexia. If that's not divine provision, I don't know what is. Oh I am so very grateful. To Him.

I am grateful for my husband and family. I waited such a long time to meet my hubby - at least it seemed long. And lonely. I was the last of my sisters to be married (me, the eldest, a 30 year old virgin). But it was worth the wait. My mum and dad used to pray I'd meet someone great: "Even if you have to bring him from half way round the world God..." And He did. A series of near misses brought us together, at just the right time. Answers to many many prayers. I am still grateful every day.

I am just grateful that I am still here, living blessed, still connected with my Creator, when it would have been easy at many times to give up on my faith. His practical grace and tangible provision combined with a sense of his never-leaving-me Presence has held me, when I couldn't move forward on my own. His beyond-understanding Peace has kept me. I'm grateful for His Presence, His Love and His beautiful grace.

Once upon a time I was the epitomy of Martha. I thought that if I worked hard, helping people in God's name, I would get into His good books and He would bless me. But the funny thing was that when I was at my weakest, when I was broken and could longer serve Him or "do" anything - that's when the kindness of God took me by surprise.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  (from The Bible, 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9)

Thank You God for everything. The glory for all of it goes to You.
I'm the broken vessel, and you are the light within. I hope that it shines through enough that others can glimpse You through my cracks....

.................

P.S. I know not all my readers share my belief/faith and may consider this post to be further evidence of a deranged mind... all I can say is, "Don't knock it til you've tried it." (there's NOTHING like the Peace that comes from His tangible presence, and I can't explain it away, even on my darkest days).

Family Movie Night: Awesome Animal Movies

Each weekend we share our ideas for family movie nights, with Movie reviews and fun theme night ideas.

This week we are sharing with you some of our favourite family Animal Movies. 
Our eldest son, Dash, was absolutely MAD on animals when he was young. Any and every movie that contained animals was must-watch family viewing. Some of the animal movies we watched way-back-when remain family favourites today. I hope you'll find something from our list that will appeal to your offspring too, whatever their ages!

Here are a few of the animal movies we remember fondly and still enjoy to this day...

RATING GUIDE:

***** Outstanding, Highly recommended

**** Very good, enjoyable, Recommended.

*** OK, not bad, but not memorable

** Barely OK, could do better.

* A bomb. Avoid at all costs.

"Little Kid Watchability" is based on children aged 3-6 years. Movies with PG are more suited to older, not-so-sensitive children.

......................

THE LION KING (G) *****

This one is an absolute timeless classic. We watched it endlessly when the kids were young but hadn't seen it for years until we ordered it from Fatso last week. I thought it was about time to reintroduce the kids to this awesome movie and it hasn't lost anything in the intervening years. A great story about forgiveness, fathers, life and redemption. So many themes here - it makes for great conversation about the meaning of life.

LITTLE KID WATCHABILITY: This is a (G) so it's great for all ages.
SCARY BITS: The hyenas and the fight between Simba and Scar might upset very sensitive children.
GROWNUP WATCHABILITY: Mr G and I thoroughly enjoyed rewatching this awesome animated movie.

LASSIE (G) *****

A top family movie. The 2005 remake is set in England during WWII. Great actors, including Peter O'Toole & Samantha Morton. We all loved it, even us grown ups. One of the best family movie nights. Lots of things to discuss with the kids, life lessons - "loyalty, perseverance" etc. Fine for older pre-schoolers.

LITTLE KID WATCHABILITY: Held the interest of all the kids, both when they were little and  when we rewatched this recently - they ALL loved it.
SCARY BITS: Not really any. Just one where two vagrants try to steal from Lassie's "vertically challenged" friend and his dog gets killed (may want to fast forward if your kids are very sensitive).
GROWNUP WATCHABILITY: Great, very well done, not sugary or overly sentimental but done with good humour and grit.

THE WATER HORSE (PG) *****

Another top family movie, set in Scotland during WWII. It's the story of a lonely little boy who finds a strange egg that hatches into something he's never seen before - could it be, the Loch Ness Monster?? Very imaginative, heart-warming story.

LITTLE KID WATCHABILITY: Held everyone's attention throughout, both when they were little and more recently when we watched it again. there are always lots of questions about the possibilities of the Lochness Monster - and it's great for introducing a little bit of history.
SCARY BITS: Actually hardly any scary bits! Unsure why this is rated PG. The music can be a bit foreboding sometimes, especially when the boy realises there is something hatched in his potting shed - but it turns out to be the very cute baby water horse, so nothing scary happens. We didn't have to forward any bits.
GROWNUP WATCHABILITY:  Fantastic! Mr G and I both loved it. Very imaginative, once again, gritty and humorous, not too sugary, but heart-warming and quite believable. (We like those kind of movies)

BABE (G) ****

This is an oldie but a goodie. Great for littlies with all the animals. A good story (very well done) with lots of action and a dash of humour and morality. This is another simple story well told (the best kind of movies). We have this one in our collection and it's been ages since we watched it, but we all enjoyed seeing it again. I remember watching it for the first time as an adult at the movies and loved it then too. Fine for pre-schoolers.

LITTLE KID WATCHABILITY: Excellent for all ages, there's enough action and humour to hold the attention.
SCARY BITS: No scary bits
GROWN-UP WATCHABILITY: Very watchable, clever and funny.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB (G) **** 1/2

A surprisingly good family movie! When we first watched it I was expecting a cheesy over-the-top American adaptation, and nearly didn't get it this one out, but I must say Mr G and I were both pleasantly surprised. This was a warm, touching, feel-good film, with some truly funny one-liners. It has some pretty classy voice talent too - John Cleese and Julia Roberts among them. We all loved it. 

LITTLE KID WATCHABILITY: Great. The kids were young when we first watched this and both Dash and Miss Fab liked this one and asked for it again. Miss Fab said she didn't like the spider (nothing personal against Charlotte, just has a thing against all spiders in general). The story is easy to follow and well told. The characters are very likeable. Probably best for kids aged aged 4+ because it deals with death (of the spider, Charlotte).
SCARY BITS: None.
ADULT WATCHABILITY: Great. Talking to another dad at soccer the next day and he was also raving about this movie. I think me and Mr G both had a little tear at the end. But it's not a sad movie in a depressing way, just very touching.

MOVIE TRAILERS FOR THE ABOVE MOVIES:

Taking the Long Way Round

I want to write this post today, partly to make sense of stuff for myself (because this is how I process things) and partly to let you all in on the way things are.

"Taking the long way round" is a phrase my counsellor used to describe my processing, weeks before I did the cognitive testing which revealed I am dyslexic.

She was helping me come to terms with some of my struggles and gave me a "Truth" phrase to write on a card: "I might take the long way round, but I get there in the end".

A little sob rose up inside me as she said it. It resonated deeply, this knowledge that all my life I've been taking the long way round but somehow "getting there" eventually.

Weeks later when the surprising diagnosis came back, it all made perfect sense.

This feeling of constantly treading water, of working hard beneath the surface to do things that "should be easy".
Wanting a medal at the end of each day, just for getting through it.
Constantly feeling anxious and uncertain.
My baffling forgetfulness and daily struggle to complete tasks and get where I need to be.
My losing battle with organisation and timeliness.
The way words freeze in my head and my mouth zips shut and I don't know how to get the words out to start a conversation (often mistaken for shyness).
How I walk around with unspoken sentences sealed up inside me, how sometimes it's just too hard to find a way to talk about things (and how this drives my husband batty).

It was a relief to know that the feeling I've always had of being different, and somehow outside of things, was in fact real.

But then the confusion set set in. Dyslexia, really?
But I'm a writer! I'm an avid reader! I am Mrs Readalot for gosh sakes! I was reading before I even went to school. Writing is how I express myself when words fail. So how does that stack up with dyslexia?
Aren't dyslexics all meant to struggle with spelling, reading and writing? I'm a great speller!

All these questions I threw at my lovely counsellor, Jane (who just happens to be doing her Masters on how Dyslexia affects marriages and families - amazing huh?).

Jane pulled out my test and talked me through it.
I have a giftedness in the area of vocabulary and comprehension, she explained. This has masked the dyslexia and enabled me to learn ways of compensating. I have learned how to take the long way round so successfully that my dyslexia was not even hinted at for 43 years.

I remember my dad teaching me to read. He used a game called Teachatot which has hundreds of jigsaw letters. I remember rolling on the floor giggling at the nonsense rhyming words my dad would make up.
He was teaching me to read phonically, breaking down the rules and word patterns and setting me up for life, without even realising it.
Apparently this is now the way "they" teach dyslexics to read. My dear old Dad had no idea that he was performing a miracle by playing Teachatot with me.
But all the praise doesn't just go to Dad.
Mum played a big part too.
Hours and hours I spent sitting on her lap while she read Little Golden Books to me - to the point that when I was three years old I had all the neighbour kids thinking I could read, because I knew the books off by heart. Word perfect.

My mum planted the seed of a love for books and reading.
My Dad watered that seed and nourished it.
Before I turned five I was reading. Before I was six I has read Enid Blyton's Folk of the Faraway Tree through in one night.

Giftedness plus parental input set me up to succeed in school. I was in the top classes in High School, getting good marks in English and Art, doing OK in the other subjects.

Funny though.  I had no idea my parents thought I was a bit lazy and unmotivated.
They knew I was bright but thought I could do better. Wondered why I wouldn't apply myself.

Little did they know how hard I must have been working beneath the surface. It looked like laziness but it wasn't.

[Standard One at Pt Chev Primary - I went to 10 different schools]

What I have - giftedness plus dyslexia - is called "Twice Exceptional" (2e) or "Stealth Dyslexia".

"Unfortunately a lack of parents’ and teachers’ knowledge and understanding can mean that neither the child’s giftedness nor special need is identified, or one aspect of the child is identified while the other is not. If it is only the giftedness which is recognised the child may be labelled lazy, oppositional or unmotivated. In the longer term a misunderstood twice exceptional child may be at risk of being placed in a unit for emotionally and behaviourally disturbed children, or of dropping out of school completely." - PEGY.org

This was me. I was identified as "gifted" (or at least considered "bright") but also seen as lazy.
I left school after 5th form to go to Canada for a year, but came home after three months and returned to school. I had to work my butt off to catch up - the hardest I had ever worked (which my Dad thought was the saving of me).

At the end of that year I'd had enough. I quit school and went and did an art course at the local Polytech.
I never went to University or gained any formal qualifications. Everything I've done and achieved has been learnt on the hop. I've kept on taking the long way round.

[Form One at Tokoroa Intermediate - the year I was bullied]

Now I am learning why I ended up with Depression.
Dyslexics are more prone to "emotional problems".
Self esteem is effected, anxiety is constant and there is always a feeling of never quite fitting in. (there's a great article here which explains it)
Square peg in round hole.
Plus it's exhausting. Constant tiredness from always having to take the long way round... and headaches. Lots and lots of headaches.

[6th Form - newly returned from Canada and working extra extra hard to catch up]

This is how I ended up with depression and why I couldn't kick it.
But now I know! I understand what lies at the root of my struggles.
And now for the first time I reckon I've got a really good chance of finally beating the depression.
With my new found understanding, I can start to live out of my strengths instead of constantly beating myself up over my "failings". I can start to feel better about myself, and be proud of what I have achieved... especially since I had to take the long way round!

Dyslexia has it's strengths (I see the big picture, I can find answers others might not, I am creative, I think outside the box) but it comes with its struggles too.

Every day, as I move through the world, cleaning my house, caring for my family, I take the long way round. It's tiring, I feel like I need a medal... but I get there in the end.
I will ALWAYS get there in the end.

.....................

Any other dyslexics out there? Any other 2e's? I'd love to hear from you...

P.S. Can you spot me in all the school photos. Bonus points for getting them right!