Bocce Ball

Maddie ready to conquer the world at Bocce Ball.

Goal is to aim the larger balls at the small white ball.

Jack striking a pose!

One of our favorite outdoor games to play is Bocce Ball. We started playing as a family 3 years ago. It is a game that all the kids (ages 3.5/4.0 and up) can play. It is a very simple lawn game of trying to get as close as possible to the Pallino Ball or goal ball. Average set will cost you $20 and will provide hours and hours of fun outdoors!! Great for Spring, Summer or fall and is great for almost any age.

We love having tournaments at our house. Sunday we kicked off our first Spring game and I am proud to report that GIRLS RULE!!

Bradley's Pumpkin Patch.. A Tradition!!

Seven years ago we discovered a wonderful family pumpkin patch called Bradley's. It has been "our patch" ever since. As I remember the story, my sister Diana wanted to take the kids to a place that felt down home. She did not want to go to a tourist type pumpkin patch. I told her to go ahead and do the research to see what she could find in our local area. She found Bradley's. I remember she went out ahead of the group we were taking to make sure it was the type of patch that she had in mind. It was.

Here we are seven years later and the Greeneteam feels like Bradley's is as close to their grandparents farm in WV as they have ever known. When we arrive it feels like we are seeing family that we have not seen for a year.

We have watched Bradley go from a 12 year old boy to a 19 year old young man. When we are at the farm the boys feel like Bradley is almost the older brother or cousin that they have never had. He let's them sit on the gator, shows them things around the farm and is just a nice boy. Tony his dad is kind of a Grandpa and Karen the mom a Grandma of sorts.

The kids love the hayride. Tony tells the same stories year after year. The kind of stories that hopefully when your kids are older they will remember. They will think about the man that used to give them hayrides and would remind them to "stick to their roots, mind their parents, and realize that although you don't always land where you want you can still grow!! "

Bradley's is a hidden gem in North Georgia. The kind of place where you can arrive in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring, taking a hayride, browsing through the gift shop and buying a pumpkin. They sell hotdogs, drinks, boiled peanuts, homemade soaps, pumpkins and more.

If you find yourself out that way take the time to stop and say hello. I know you will be glad you did. Bradley's is located in Dawsonville near Amicalola Falls.

My boys sitting by the pumpkins at Bradley's.
Makenna perched up in a tree at Bradley's pumpkin patch. Nothing like reading and relaxing on the farm on a beautiful fall day.

Van Pugh Park North -Lake Sidney Lanier

I love going to the beach in the summer. We only live 15-20 minutes from Lake Lanier Islands in Buford. A couple of weekends ago I was looking for a beach with a boat ramp so that we could put my cousins wave runner in. I wanted a place where the kids could play and swim while they were waiting for their turn.

I lucked into finding a beach called Van Pugh Park North. It was exactly what I wanted. It has a spot to put your boat in, a playground that over looks the lake, and 2 different beach areas. Both areas have a safety line for swimming which I love. It also has several picnic table spots as well as a huge pavilion with a fireplace that would be so fun to host a family gathering or party!! The views are beautiful and I will say that so far it is the nicest park I have come across on the lake. Entry fee is $4 per car with a season pass available for $30.

My recommendation: While the weather is still gorgeous grab a picnic, your suits and towels and go spend the day at this wonderful park. We may just see you there!!

Jackson pushing his cousin on the swing. This play area is very nice and over looks the lake.
Having a picnic at Van Pugh with the family.. Gotta love takeout picnics!! :)Maddie and Carson near the spot to get on the wave runner.

Dinnertime Trivia

I thought I would tell you about a FUN GAME we made up called Dinnertime Trivia. This is very similar to the game show that Alex Tribec hosts. ????????? Can't think of the name of the show. Anyhow, we play this game using skittles (see picture below).

Each Color of Skittle represents a category:

Blue: Geography

Pink: Math

Green: History

Red: Science

Peach: Spelling

We go around the table and each person answers a question per category. (Based on their age level) If they get the answer right they get to EAT the skittle/dessert. If they answer the question wrong we give them another question. While playing you can answer in any order you want until you have eaten all your skittles. Depending on how long you want to make the game you can just extend it with another round of Skittles for each person.

My kids love this game and so do John and I. It is a fun way to make them earn their dessert. It also makes for a longer evening at the dinner table talking, learning, and having fun which in my opinion is never a bad thing.

Maddie and John playing Dinnertime Trivia. John is usually the host of our game!!