Happy Valentines

 

Since we will be out celebrating a birthday tomorrow and not Valentines.....

 

We took these previously.

 

Miss A got a camera and tripod for Christmas.

Still trying to work out how to use the camera for best photos

but oh self timers are so much fun.

 

As are heart shaped balloons.

 

Happy Valentines Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We swear we do have a man in the house... he's just absent when we do all the fun things :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FHE Lesson {Helping Hands}

Opening Song: I'm trying to be like Jesus #78

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:



Lesson inspired by You are the Saviour's Hands January 2015 Friend Magazine

Some Love Songs:
Jesus Said Love Everyone #61
Where Love Is #138
Love One Another #136
Love is Spoken Here #190



If you choose, share the story of the statue of Christ without hands below:

For younger children just mention- Since Jesus is not physically here on the earth able to help every person WE must be his hands. If every person on earth chose to help others just as the saviour would, imagine how happy the world would be.

We want Love and Happiness for everyone.

What are some ways we can be Jesus's hands?


This year The Friend has issued the  Give Us a Hand Challenge .
Children can trace around their hand and write on it what service they have done for others.
Even if you don't send a hand in, its a great idea to keep the hands around the house.

Trace around Child's Hand and cut out hand. {Also have extra handprints predone}

Have children think of a service they have done for another and write on the hands.

Fill out lots of handprints and stick on wall/fridge/poster

Try during the month of February to fill out as many hands as possible.

Eg
I help my teacher in class
I gave a hug to someone who was sad
I help my mum....
I gave to a charity
I share my toys and make everyone happy


I know that everyday we give service to people all around us.
We should remember what good things we do, and also strive to do more good things.

We should LOVE others by helping them.


Closing Song: Love One Another #136

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:



A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.


Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been broken so badly that they could not be fixed. The people added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: "You are my hands."

When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation. This is what He would be doing if He were living among us today. It is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits grow stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
Let us commit to become the Savior’s hands, that others through us may feel His loving embrace.

~ Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

Heart Mobile

Saw this pin a friend pinned and immediately made it.

What's happened to me? I swear holidays bring it out in me.

It's been over two months since we/I have done any sort of craft.

I made it in about an hour and felt so happy.

The neighbour girl loved it too, maybe I'll make her one.

Wish I had better photography skills (or a camera) I promise its much cuter in real life.


How to make a stuffed heart mobile

Take 15  scraps of fabric
Cut a heart shape out of cardboard {I always use old cereal boxes}
Trace around heart on fabric making 2 hearts from each design
Cut out heart shape and place the two hearts together - RIGHT sides OUT

 

 

 

 

Sew around heart.

Do not sew all the way around!

Stop. Leave a little gap to  put stuffing in.

Push stuffing in and continue sewing.

Sew heart shut.

Done!

 

Place hearts in desired order.

5 hearts in 3 rows

 

Using White embroidery floss {I used crotchet string}

Tie a knot and sew through heart from bottom to top.

Place a knot at the end and top of each heart to prevent them slipping.

Continue adding heart till you have 5 hearts on the string

Repeat 3 times.

 

 

Tie strings to a branch.

Attach string to both ends of branch

I used a mini 3M hook to hang my branch on the wall

Enjoy.

 

 

Valentines Décor in my dining room.

 

Then perhaps off to the girls room.

 

Easy Bubble Ink Valentines

I was at a party once commenting on someone's food was they bought along.

Where did you get that idea I stated

They looked at me like... ummm your blog...

Oh really, can't remember that one!! Ha!


Something similar happened this week I was perusing my backlog's on valentines and came across this from 2009 - Can't remember ever doing that and I thought - what a good idea.

The kids were into it so we did it again. This is a VERY EASY craft. We don't have many art supplies so I love easy and CHEAP art ideas. This idea was basically FREE.

Place some pink or red food colouring, drop of detergent and a little water in a cup.
Using a straw blow bubbles.

Place paper on top of the bubbles. {the bubbles with burst quickly}
Blow more bubbles and repeat. {get the kids to do it}
You'll probably have to do it 10 times to fill a piece of A4 paper.

The result is so pretty and delicate. Almost like marbling.

 

Use hearts to write individual statements about what you love about the people you love and place in a jar or around the house. We will use some for Family Home Evening Lesson.

 

I love to sew paper, sew hearts together for garlands and hang over door ways

 

Make cards for those you love.

Valentines Felt Hearts

As we all know - in my house seasonal decorating is grabbing branches/twigs out of the garden shoving them in a vase and hanging stuff off them.

Because I'm cheap and minimalist like that.

Family Home Evening Lesson - Hanging our family hearts

I was unpacking last years felt hearts and they are still in perfect condition so thought I would reshare the how to. I also think I should make some more but smaller.


Felt Hearts Tutorial:





I had pinned these lovely white minimalist felt hearts to make at Christmas.
As I love to make personalised ornaments every year.

But alas as usual many things have to be left to the side undone.

As I was debating some Valentines décor....

A thought came... well why not those white hearts? Double Duty in Decorating...

and only 2 months late!

With kids back at school I sat down and made these in a morning.

Been a while since I've done some craft.


So if anyone wants to create similar here is how I made them.


Gather:
Twill ribbon {I got mine spotlight $1.30 m I was upset they had no thin white though!}
letter stamps
ink pad
White felt
Thin ribbon or twine

Stamp names straight onto ribbon. Set aside to dry.


Cut a paper heart out in desired dimensions {I made 2 sizes}


Use as a template to cut around felt. 2 pieces needed to make each heart.

Sew twill ribbon name onto the middle of one heart

Place two hearts together, right sides out and sew along edges. At the top of the heart insert some ribbon or twine in a loop and sew over it as you go around.

Leave a little opening and stuff with a tiny bit of stuffing. Continue around heart and close up.

Easy! And there you have a felt heart softie to use for decorating, to attach to presents, to hang above your little ones beds, to be added to a valentines tree. Mine are hanging on the mantle at the moment but may be moved to a valentines tree {If I get around to making one}

The pink and red hearts also featured were purchased from Riot Art and craft ~ 12 for $3.95

First Day of School 2015

 

 

 

 

For the first time ever all my children are at school. Sniff Sniff.
After 14 years - what will I do with myself?

Miss A received a camera for Christmas and using a tripod took care of all our back to school photos!
What a champ. She did a great job.

I had a first time highschooler and a first time Preppy.
I'm not sure who was more nervous!


Exciting times!

Back to School Dinner 2015

It was hot and I was tired and feeling a bit unwell
but the kids and The Mr pulled off our annual back to school dinner.

It's so nice when the kids get on board and excited and do your traditions for you!

Miss K even got up and offered to make dessert.
None of my kids love cooking or food prep so this made me so so happy.
Plus the crème Brulee was delish.

I read out the list of ideas I had for themes here and the girls decided that the first one sounded best.

Done.

So they set off to work making little signs and I made some tiny banners that read

He that seeketh findeth {Matt 7:8}

They chose blue and green tablecloths which represent their school colours.

We got out the crystal goblets.

We had some old school books of mine to look through.

We discussed our favourite and not so favourite things about school, memories, teachers, playground games.

Each girl received a Fathers Blessing and we encouraged them in their education for this year.

It was fun and relaxed evening. It was great to reminisce about my school and to hear my kids speak about theirs. We talked about being lucky to have free education, that school is an option.

We are blessed.

And everything is better with drinks umbrella's.

{thanks grandma - Miss G's item she took from Grandmas put to great use}

Myth: Kids at school= Clean House?

After 14 years of parenting, ALL my children will finally be off to school next week. All of them!
 I might cry, I might click my heels together in joy skipping out the school gate.....
While I gather my thoughts, here's some past back to school posts...


Back in 2008 I wrote this:

So this post is for all you mums at home with small children - I will be squashing your dreams that once they are at school you will have a clean house - it is a Complete Fallacy!

Okay so all those times at home with 3 young children - dreaming of the far off day when they will be out of your house and off to school. Dreams of sparkling counter tops in the kitchen, pristine floors, made beds, dinner on time, clean clothes, morning teas with friends, baking dainty treats, trips to the movies - ALONE, catching up on TV, participating in crafts, doing SOMETHING/ANYTHING for yourself!

Then the day finally happens. The new school year rolls around, you drop them off at their room, pretending to be sad, but clicking your heels as you bound out the school gate - HOORAY! The first week I barely accomplish anything - Actually with all this running around and coaxing little ones to get dressed, pack your bag, put your shoes on, chasing them around the house to get them to sit still long enough to do their hair (lucky if you have sons!) leaves the house more dishevelled than ever.

I go through the weeks telling myself, it is a new thing for us, we are just getting used to our schedule - once we get used to it, there will be plenty of time for ME and stuff that I want to do - but for now- there are breakfast to be had, lunch to make, there are 6 people in this house, so of course the kitchen will be in a HUGE mess after all this.

We are also on a no TV before school rule now. They actually didn't protest as much as I thought they would. It was a good idea - for their young little brains - (though I am sure the 7 hours perday of tv they were watching before 5 years old has taken most of it ) but now we have another problem - Children that rise at 6am and PLAY for two hours!! They have done painting, doll houses, animals, cutting, pasting, and today - playdough!! Generally they leave a bit of a mess even if I ordered them to clean it, I still have to clean the cleanup.

Then I return home from our one hour walk (there and back for me) to that mentioned above. I clean the kitchen, loungeroom, bedrooms, varandah, backyard from the mornings "activities". Once the kitchen is presentable I mess it up by cooking dinner. Gabrielle has a sleep where I collapse in a heap and watch some Dr Phil or Oprah (usually while folding, washing, cooking, general cleaning) and then it is time for the walk back to school.

B.S (Before School) we visited friends and family - we had no need to rush back or leave at 1:30- in time to get back for school. We walked to Southbank and went swimming at 8am - we didn't have to be anywhere by 9am. Sleepover at Grandmas on weekdays, holidays whenever we pleased. Life was quite simple back then.

Now we are run by the calendar - it actually means something now. Volunteering at school, things to make/bake/take/fake. Gabrielle will grow up in a different atmosphere - no tv, constant trips to school, a timetable, without her sisters for 6 hours a day, and with her mummy seemingly consumed with cleaning - I don't recall having this much to do before!

School = Clean House and more leisure time - Myth BUSTED!

FHE Lesson {Back to School}

It's one week till the kiddies are back at school. We've held back to school dinners for a few years now (2016 2015 2013 2012  2011 2010 ) and I thought this tradition might make a good activity for FHE.

Opening Song:

Opening Prayer:


Lesson:

We usually start with a special dinner. Feel free to include this or not :)

Choose a theme for your Back to School Dinner.
We usually print out the theme and place on the table.
Here are some of our past ideas:

I will go and do....
I thought this a lovely theme for our schooling year. Go and Do! Go and Do!
scripture: 1 Nephi 3:7
Choose the Right
We spoke about how this could be applied at school. We talked of many situations. 

Love One Another
Showing love to siblings, teachers, students at school.
John 13:34  Mosiah 4:15

Seek Learning
Even by Study also by faith
D&C 88:118


This year I have bookmarked scriptures to do with education. See a list HERE
Here are some I'm leaning to for our Theme for 2015

He that seeketh findeth: Matt. 7:8 .
Learn wisdom in thy youth: Alma 37:35 .
Seek learning, even by study and also by faith: D&C 88:118 .
Wise man will hear, and will increase learning: Prov. 1:5
Take fast hold of instruction: Prov. 4:13 .

Whatever your theme of choice discuss how this has to do with education.
Share how proud you are of the children's desire for learning.
State even though it can be hard it is worth it.


We have each child receive a Fathers Blessing.
Discuss what a Fathers Blessing is (SEE HERE )
why you want to help them in this new year, and in this new schooling year.
That you desire the best for them and you want to spirit of the Lord behind them too.

We spoke of education and its importance and that we are blessed to have access to it
We spoke of their favourite moments from the last school year.
We spoke of goals for the coming year.
Each Child received a Fathers Blessing for the coming year.
Then we sent them to bed early. Getting prepared for the new routine ;)

Closing Song:

Closing Prayer:

Treat: Maybe a special back to school gift {new pencils, erasers, pencil case.. anything}

FHE Lesson {Family Mission Statement}

 

 

Opening Song:

 

Opening Prayer:

 

Lesson:

 

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

 

The New year is a good time to write a family mission statement.

If you have one already spend sometime reviewing it.

Example on how to write a Family Mission Statement HERE

 

 

:: Use a big piece of paper to make a banner that represents your family.
Children can draw things that make your family unique and describe your family
{how many people, where you live, school, temple, church, scriptures, extended family, favourite foods, talents, things you like to do, faith in Jesus, favourite things - flowers, weather etc}

 :: Families with older children could sit and write out a family mission statement.
{Or revisit it if you already have one}  Ours {below} is now 10 years old!!
You could print it out nice and laminate it and display in a central area {ours is on top the piano}

 

PEACE
Love at Home


Follow Christ * Humbly Pray * Actively Listen * Seek Knowledge

Encourage Others * Respect Self * Search Scriptures

Speak Softly * Have Fun * Find Humour
Seek Wisdom * Accept Responsiblity

Do Good * Speak Kindly

 

 

It can be as long or short or simple as your family decides. It can be funny, or serious or sweet.

Give examples of what you would like included, but ensure the kids get a say too.

 

Explain your family is the most important thing to you, and uniting our family together creates strong bonds. Our family mission  statement will remind us what is most important to us. Let's read it often!

 

 

Closing Song:

 

Closing Prayer: