Monday, August 25, 2008

Family Night: Musical Fun

Friday morning, I wasn't sure what we'd be doing for Family Night that evening, but David called from work and said he had an idea. A band teacher at one of the local schools was going to throw out this xylophone because it is in multiple pieces, some pieces are broken, etc... But, there were enough great pieces for us to enjoy using it! So, he brought that home and borrowed an autoharp as well. I rounded up some other instruments we had around the house and our music theme was born.

I had planned to make pizza for dinner - so, wanted to incorporate that into our theme. Pepperoni and strips of green pepper made music notes on the top:

I also made brownie cupcakes with sprinkles on top for dessert and had a small tube of icing up in the cabinet. So, I drew a little musical note on top of those as well.

Before dinner, we sang our prayer from this neat book:

Here are a few instrument ideas:

Make your own tambourines by putting dried beans or unpopped popcorn inside two paper plates stapled together. I wrote verses on ours before we stapled them. You could also add ribbons or other fun decorations!

Here are a few verse ideas:
"I will make music to the Lord." ~ Judges 5:3
"It is good to praise the Lord and make music!" ~ Psalm 92:1
"I will sing and make music with all my soul." ~ Psalm 108:1
"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." ~ Ephesians 5:19

You can make an instrument, also, out of styrofoam meat trays with rubber bands put on.

Here were some other ideas I had that we didn't even end up using:
* Sing instead of speaking during dinner.
* Play musical chairs.
* Have a parade.

Rachel - someday when you can read this - I'm sorry there aren't more pictures of you, but you were running around having so much fun we could not get a picture of you!



26 comments:

Wendi said...

That looks likes so much fun! Now that Megan is getting older I am trying to do more themed nights. They are always fun and it is a treat to see Megan so excited. Thanks for the inspiration!

melissa said...

wow - how fun and creative! love the pizza 'notes'!

Angela - Life w/ Two Busy Boys said...

Looks like fun!

Anonymous said...

Fun times!! Monica, where did you get *singing at the table* book. Thanks-tammyp

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hi Tammy - we got ours when he came to our church. However, I posted a link to where you can order one online. Hope that helps!
Monica

Anonymous said...

What fun! I would love to have heard the goings on! :) Love, Mom

Tara said...

I love it! What a neat idea. I think it's great how you even coordinate your menu with the theme. How fun!

Christi said...

What a fun idea for the little ones!

Katy said...

How fun!!!! What a wonderful family night and memory for the kiddos! :)

Anonymous said...

You never run out of ideas! Our tradtional Friday night "carpet picnics" have gone by the wayside this summer, being replaced by dinner on the deck. I can't wait to start them again, bringing a peaceful closure to our busy school and work week.
Angie

Amy said...

I am loving the pizza idea- that is so cute! That looks like a really fun family night- what a wonderful theme!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That looks like so much fun. I have followed your Friday Family Night ideas for a while and I really really need to take the time to do that. I can't imagine how much of a lasting impression that would leave on my girls!

Melissa Martin said...

Looks like fun! My girls love making music, singing and dancing!

Mother of Many said...

Love, love, love this idea. We do Friday night family night too. I have yet to start with a theme, but you are so inspiring!

Steph at Problem Solvin' Mom said...

What great ideas, it looks like so much fun! You are such an endless source of inspiration for me! :)

Tara said...

What a cute idea! And that your husband helped plan this wow..

Christine said...

What an incredible idea! I love this!

*carrie* said...

That turned out great, Monica (as usual!) Glad David had an idea--fun theme. Where on earth did you get that book by RAF?! He's a Taylor person, and I've met him before--small world, you know me! -)

Anonymous said...

I want to live at your house!!!  Too fun! You always come up with such inspiring ideas.  Thanks for sharing them with us!

Wanita said...

What great ideas! I'm always looking for fun things to do with my grandchildren, and I'm sure we'll try some of them on one of their overnight visits.

Elise said...

You always have the funnest ideas for family nights!!
Elise

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage said...

This sounds like fun!

Please come and see me. I've given you an award!

Laura

Anonymous said...

You just hang onto that book...its going for 88 dollars over at Amazon! Gill

Heather said...

What a fun and creative family night! I'd love to try your music note pizza.

Maiden Of Virtue said...

What a great idea and a beautiful autoharp!

~*~Courtney~*~

L2L said...

Just wanted to say thanks for the motivation!! You have really inspired me to seek out a day each week to just have any old kinda fun and I think I'm going to start with an ABC theme, letter a week. Oh yes, I come by the way of wheremytreasuresare. What a light you shine, thanks