In this issue: activities to help your family active together, including Backyard Olympics, and exercise videos.
Use this time to bond as a family…and have fun!
This issue brought to you by Eric Osberg
Vacation Fun
For the past two weeks we, the Osberg family, have been out on the road visiting family in Indiana and Michigan. We drove back for my sister-in-law’s bridal shower. Normally when we head back east, my wife and I visit college friends, but this trip has focused on family.
We, and our kids, enjoyed our time with family. It has reminded my wife and I that it’s good for us to take time to be kids ourselves, and play outside and do different things. Things that we have seen bring joy on this road trip:
- Road trip Bingo in the car
- Listening to Adventures in Odyssey in the car
- The license plate game in the car
- Nerf wars in the basement with cousins (and sometimes parents)
- Playing in water, any water, at anytime
- Playing catch or whiffle ball
- Riding bikes and scooters or walking together
- Family corn hole, ladder ball, and washers tournaments
We have had a great time, but we are so ready to be in our own home and our own beds. This trip has reminded us that God is still in control and is over everything we do. We find our trust in our Lord and Savior.
“And now, just as you have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that comes from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” ~ Colossians 2: 6-10 (NLT)
Backyard Olympics
Even though the Olympics have been postponed till next summer, we will still hold the “Osberg Family Olympics” in our backyard. This tradition began four years ago for our family; maybe it could become a tradition for your family, too! We create an Olympics-themed obstacle course and hold various events that represent the different competitions held at the Summer Olympics. Here is a sampling of some of the Osberg Family Olympics events:
- Relay races
- Soccer game (the family vs dad)
- Basketball shooting contest
- Sprints
- Washers (represents shooting or archery)
- Pushup contest (represents lifting)
- And more!
For each event, we keep track of where each family member places and award points:
- 1st Place = 5 points
- 2nd Place = 4 points
- 3rd Place = 3 points
- 4th Place = 2 points
- 5th Place = 1 point
When all events are finished, we add up the points and hand out “medals” for Gold, Silver, and Bronze. My wife makes the awards using rolled fruit snacks for the straps and food-paint coated Oreos® for the medals. We hold an awards ceremony, take pictures, and have a great family time creating fun memories together. It’s an easy and fun way to exercise together as a family.
We often invite extended family over to watch (and maybe even participate) and have a celebration BBQ after the awards ceremony, adding even more fun to the event. Our kids love it, and so do we!
From FRCS Coaches
We asked FRCS coaches what they and their families have been doing for fun over the summer. Here are some of their responses.
Amanda Deich: Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach
My kids have been doing obstacle courses in our backyard. They walk around the trampoline net, go across the rope, scramble on the swings, climb up the slide, and wiggle their way down their play equipment. They have fun finding objects in our shed and garage to add to it and make it even more challenging! We time each other to see who wins. This can work in any backyard with any objects – all it takes is a little imagination and grit…and a dash of competitiveness.
Kayla Paris: Head Varsity Cross Country Coach
My husband and I have enjoyed being outdoors and finding multiple outdoor activities to do. We also enjoy 4-wheeling and finding a good book to read.
Paul Lowe: Head Varsity Football Coach
We have been heading outdoors for a lot of family hikes. We’ve also taken our daughter on bike rides in her trailer.
Justin Olson: Head Varsity Baseball Coach
The family and I enjoy our time together outdoors. We have gone fishing and kayaking and spent time at the Chatfield beach.
Exercises with Mr. Snyder
Our own Mr. Snyder, PE teacher and Performance Trainer, has created multiple videos of exercises and stretches that do not require much space and can be done at home. They can be done individually or together as a family. If your kids are younger, you can reduce the number of repetitions or distances. Have fun as a family doing these in your back yard to develop good exercise habits and create some lasting memories.
