FHE Lesson {Easter Tree}

 Opening Song: Did Jesus Really Live Again #64

Opening Prayer:

It's a few weeks till Easter so I will be posting lessons to do with Easter until then.

We like to start the season off with an Easter Tree

Go here and here to see how we make ours


Discuss that Easter is coming up. Ask questions like:

 What is Easter? What do you know about Easter? What is your favourite part of Easter?
What things should we do this Easter {plan your calendar!}

{eg visit family, hold a sunrise family testimony meeting, make hot cross buns, egg hunt etc}

 Together create an Easter Tree.

{honestly it can be as simple as a few sticks to hang things off}

We use several decorations to put on ours. Each year our tree is a little different.

 You can google and print and colour small pictures of easter scenes
{both religious and non religious} -
Religious
Easter Eggs

 Cut out pictures of Christ from the Ensign or print pictures and laminate them and add a string and you've got a homemade religious decoration to hang {instruction here}

 Buy/Make decorations such as Eggs, bunnies etc.

 If you have time watch an Easter Movie

LDS Bible Videos - He is Risen

We own and kids enjoy Veggietales 'An Easter Carol'


Closing Song: Easter Hosanna # 68

Closing Prayer: Child


Treat:
Tiny Easter Eggs, Hot Cross Buns,


To start getting prepared here is a timeline overview of  the things we try to do in the Easter Season
Easter Preparations {one month of Easter}

Easter Inspiration

 

It's less than a month till Easter! I haven't started a thing!

So I've put together all my past Easter Projects in one place to get me motivated.

I decided a few years ago that I should put as much effort into Easter as I do Christmas as really Easter is almost a more important holiday.

 

 

 

 

Felt Surprise Eggs

Easter Tomb {wheat grass}

Spiritual Easter Tree

Egg Hunt

Bunny Finger Puppets

Carrot Pinata

Palm Sunday

Easter Grass

Easter Candle Ring

Chicken Pinata

Egg Pinata

Easter Countdown

Easter Basket Pinata

Cornflour Bi Carb Ornaments

Felt Eggs

Easter Tree

Pretzel Bunnies

Easter Grass

Egg Candles

Sugar Cookies

Surprise Eggs

Hot Cross Buns

Easter Wreath

Fleece Bunny

Crayon Dye Eggs

Facewasher Bunnies

 

Please Note I don't do all these every year. Just a couple of projects.

I never have enough time to do all the things I want.

Do you have a great Easter craft/food/tradition to share?

 

 

So to help myself and maybe you if you wish I'm writing down Easter preparations here

RIGHT NOW::

:: Suprise Eggs
I started this week on my {Surprise Eggs}  I find I can collect more eggshells the earlier I start. Each year the girls seem to need more and more (12 is no longer sufficient!) The hardest bit is remembering NOT to crack eggs in half when cooking. I use a sharp knife and slice the top off the egg. Empty the egg into your cooking, then wash the eggshell out. I store them in an open egg carton so they can dry out. I found some gorgeous surprise eggs over at O Happy Day . Filled with Gold glitter or birdseed or cereal so the mess can be left behind in a park without worry. Great idea! My kids really enjoy this easter activity. One of our favourite Easter Traditions.

:: Easter Tree
Decorate with eggs, religious things, whatever you wish really. I made names of Christ birds to hang on ours this year using this dough recipe

:: 30 Day Living Christ Countdown



TWO WEEKS OUT::

:: Easter Countdown Calendars
Easter Week Activity Countdown
12 day treat or activity Easter Countdown

::Growing Easter Wheat Grass
Pretty Wheat Grass Tutorial at Ecoki
Our previous wheat grass

:: PINATA!
Egg Pinata
Chicken Pinata
Easter Basket Pinata

 ONE WEEK OUT::

Palm Sunday - we read the story and act it out with real palm leaves and make palm crosses
Passover - celebrate on the real date or the thursday before easter as Christ did
Hot Cross Buns - We've made these Easter Friday for the last few years
Soft Pretzels - we make these around the day Christ prayed in Gethsemene
Dying/Decorating Eggs - A must and fav with the kids.
Easter Candle Ring - we love candlelight and quiet thoughts and a devotional if I can sneek it in


 "Without Easter we would have no Christmas" - this was our starting quote with the children. They had to think really hard why it was so! If Jesus had not given his life so we can have eternal life he would have been just another special but ordinary person. Because of Easter and his ultimate gift we want to celebrate his birth.

Easter seems to be a much more solemn holiday than christmas. I hope that I don't cheapen that, but my goal is to try and put as much if not more effort into Easter than I do at Christmas. It's such a special holiday {and a lot less commercial -if you ignore the cocolate eggs everywhere} that there seems to be a lot less stress associated with this holiday. I'm hoping to use that to my advantage to give the girls lots to ponder on at this time of year. { no end of years parties, no presents for others to buy, no work/christmas parties - therefore ideally I should have lots more time and focus for Easter}

Enjoy! I hope my efforts will result in a greater love of Easter and Christ for my children



FHE Lesson {Thankful for our Bodies}

This lesson inspired from a variety of primary lessons. Go here to see the primary manuals

 

 

Opening Song:

 

Opening Prayer: Child

 

 

Lesson:

 

Action songs to get you in the mood :)

 

 Head shoulders knees and toes

Hinges #277  (my fav action song as a kid!)

I have two ears #269

I have two little hands #272

Two little eyes #268

Two Happy Feet #270

 

Do the following in a whisper:

Direct the children to do several things, such as sit down, raise their hands, lower their hands, and hold up two fingers, hop, close eyes, open eyes.

In your normal voice, ask the children how they knew what to do while you were whispering.

 

Explain that our bodies can do many things. Each part of the body has a special job to do.

 

What can you do with your eyes?

What can you do with your ears?

What can you do with your mouth?

What can you do with your hands?

What can you do with your feet?

 

 

Our bodies are a blessing. Our bodies were created in God's image. There is a reason we look the way we do. Our bodies are useful and strong and help us to do many things. We must look after our bodies and treat them well. We must also only use our bodies for good and never to hurt others.

 

If needed in your family discuss how our bodies need to behave to be reverent. What things should our bodies do at certain times {in school and church}

Mouth—Speak quietly, smile, sing songs, pray, keep closed when someone else is talking.

Eyes—Look at the teacher or speaker, close during the prayer.

Hands and arms—Hold still, raise to answer a question, fold during prayer.

Feet and legs—Walk quietly, hold still.

Ears—Listen to what is being said

 

Activity:

 

Have children look in a mirror and name parts of their face/body they can see.

Alternatively have them say "I am thankful for my ears, I am thankful for my nose etc"

 

Draw a picture of themselves

 

colouring IN

body parts colouring in

Girl Face colouring In

Boy face colouring in

 

 

 

 

Closing Song: I am a Child of God #2

 

Closing Prayer: Child

 

Treat:

 

Make smilie face biscuits using icing and then stick on m&m's for eyes and jelly beans for mouth, or similar.

 

 

FHE Lesson {Wise Man and Foolish Man}

This lesson inspired by what came up in family scripture reading this week

 

Opening Song: Choose the Right Way #160

Opening Prayer:


Lesson:


Share the following Scripture (or just sing the song for really little children)


3 Nephi 14:24-27
Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock

  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand

 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

 

 

What does it mean to be foolish? How are we sometimes like the foolish man?

 

What does it mean to be wise?  How can we be like the wise man?

 

What things are wise decisions that will help us build on a strong foundation?

{list out and leave up to remind kids of wise decisions we make in our homes}

 

 

Activity:

 

Watch Wise Man and Foolish Man Youtube Videos :)

 

Wise Man and Foolish Man Video #1

 

Wise man and foolish Man Video #2

 

Wise Man and Foolish Man Video #3

 

 

Build a little lego house or cardboard house and blutak it to a large rock and then sand. Pour water around each and see which house stays standing.

 

Draw Wise and Foolish Houses or colour this colouring in page  or this one

 

Reiterate that things are always better when built on a sure/strong foundation. In our family we try really hard to make sure we have a good solid foundation for our family. A happy family, with kindness and love toward eachother, following rules, having respect, with love for the gospel and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we believe is the best foundation for our family to grow and succeed on.

 

Closing Song: Dare to do Right #160

 

Closing Prayer: Child

 

Treat:

Outdoor Movie Night

Ever since we got our projector I have been dreaming of hosting outdoor movie nights!

How Fun!!


It has taken about a year or so to finally do it!
{excuses range from not being prepared to make invitations and choose a date in advance, rain, sun up too late in summer, too cold in winter, too busy/full calendar, just plain unorganised}


I really wanted to back in Sept/Oct but never did. Then in Summer the sun is up too late and starting a movie at 8:30 is too late for little ones {and ahem me - I'd probably fall asleep!}


So it was great that for her 13th birthday our daughter wanted to host an outdoor movie night.


We've finally done it! {and by WE I mean The Mr who had to set it all up. I don't do tech.}


Easy and Cheap as we had all we needed.


While I drooled over pinterest - the stuff dreams are made of!
{20 matching chairs! outdoor couches! 20 beanbags! Massive trees with fairy lights!
Perfectly co ordinated everything! Colour themes!}


Alas I live in REAL PARTY WORLD and Sometimes you just gotta face facts that nothing will ever be that perfect unless you hire some expensive catering party company. Someone needs to start a regular normal people party ideas blog {I'm sure its out there}


My pictures don't do it justice but I think we pulled together a pretty good night.
A few of the guests complimented the house and set up, so I'll take that as success.

Details:
We made it easy on ourselves and ordered in Pizza.
I organised a concession stand with chips, chocolate bars and soft drink and lots of popcorn.

We laid out 3 mattresses and had about 8 chairs. We also had some kids choose to sit on the deck stairs.

We strung some fairy lights and bunting.


For an outdoor movie you will need:

 a screen {I've used a sheet before}
speakers
projector
laptop or something to play your movie from.

and end the night with shadow puppets and music videos.


We survived our first teenage party! {they were sweet darlings!}

FHE Lesson {Sacrament, Remembering Jesus}

Opening Song: "I feel my Saviours Love Children's Songbook #74

Opening Prayer: Child






Lesson:

Show a picture of Jesus. Ask how we remember him.
Read or have an older child read the Sacrament Prayers from the scriptures (D&C 20:77, 79)

Ask the children to guess what it is you are reading.

(some knew straight away, some knew it was familiar, but not sure)

You could also have some bread and water out for visual clues.

In the March Friend is a lovely Acrostic poem and pictures about The Sacrament.

Find it here - As I take the Sacrament - March 2014 Friend Magazine

Print each letter to spell sacrament (or use a whiteboard). Have children hold up each letter one at a time as you read out the poem. If you have the gospel art picture kit, also have various pictures of the life of Christ to have out at the same time.

Bear Testimony about why you like going to sacrament each week. What it means to you. Talk about the symbolic nature of what the Sacrament represents.

Activity:

Now say you are going to play a memory game. Children have one minute to look at 10 items on a tray. Cover it up and have children write or draw or dictate to you what they remember on the tray. We made sure one of the items was a small picture of Jesus.

Our older girls wanted a go at being the person in charge of the tray, so we played 3 different versions of the game (allowing them to choose the items, but the ONLY Item that had to stay the same each time was the picture of Jesus)

We said that it is important to remember Jesus in our lives, even when it can be difficult.

We must make room for and love Jesus.

Closing Song: "Tell me the Stories of Jesus" Children's Songbook #57


Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:

Just incase you didn't know

I am good at accidentally wearing twinny dresses and making my daughter pose for photos :)

I think quite often about stopping blogging.. the new year is always a popular time too
{I sense it must be for other people too because several blogs I read all threatened the same! though luckily a few of them came back! It can be hard to give up}



This blog isn't perfect, I don't have awesome photography skills, no pretty typography skills.

We lead pretty mundane lives, so not even anything that exciting share.

The kids are growing will they appreciate an online presence that others could laugh at

It sometimes feels embarrassing to put yourself out there.
I know no one REALLY cares what I have to say/what I do. I aint saving lives here.



I've had comments from 'hate seeing your facebook posts {about blog posts} as they make me depressed',  accusatory 'oh don't you only ever do homemade?' when talking about buying shop cakes/ plastic toys, jokes about showing off 'oh in my spare time I whipped up this.....'
luckily they are fairly few and often said tongue in cheek - {hopefully!}



I mainly blog happy times {ummm yeah, not too much excitement in overtired whinging kids?} or ideas that help my family but that doesn't mean I'm trying to be perfect. Maybe the formal act of putting ideas down for all to see makes it seem contrived? Trying too hard? Showing off?



Anyone who knows me .. knows that I am farrrrrr from perfect.
But luckily probably 80% + of my life is pretty swish and it is that 80% I like to focus on.




BUT Just in case you didn't know


I have a messy house daily.
We don't eat a perfect diet and I'm not bothered.
Having a family can be tiring
I can 'yelltalk' at my kids like the best of them
I buy shop bought cakes
I make mistakes
I talk too much
I don't play enough with my kids
I feel sadness that I don't have a best friend or many close ones.
I want to be more delicate and refined but have no idea desire to change
I used to bake but have lost my mojo
I check my phone  too much
I'm lazy and shy so without my husband I would probably not have a phone, electricity, insurance, internet, banking, tax returns and all the other things he does that I recoil at doing
I feel bothered that I'm not bothered that I don't have drive/career aspirations/get up and go



I mainly write for me {but its always makes my day to hear wonderful comments from others} infact I was just re reading some old posts the other night about things I had completely forgot about. I rarely back read and it felt so good to be reminded perhaps why I am here writing this stuff down. My most favourite posts are always the least public read ones. Funny that.


I shouldn't feel too bad that people are usually googling 'ideas' - birthday party ideas, sewing tutorials, kindness/love lessons to teach kids and are not looking for words on my life, thoughts and family. For I do the exact same thing.




Just in case you didn't know


No one is perfect.



We are all trying.



And maybe tomorrow will be better.

FHE Lesson { Heavenly Father watches over me}

Sometimes lessons come via the kids primary lessons. Last week our daughter loved her picture she drew of herself on a 'Heavenly Father watches over me' necklace and said she wanted to teach it to us for FHE. I helped by bulking out the lesson. This lesson in more detail found in Manual 2 Lesson 8



Opening Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me #228

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:


Who is Heavenly Father?

What has Heavenly Father done for you?
(Answers might include planning for us to come to earth, giving us families, sending Jesus Christ to earth to be our Savior, answering prayers)

Share an experience when you felt that Heavenly Father was watching over and protecting you


Scripture story:

Display this picture Flight into Egypt.
Tell the story found in Matthew 2:13–15.

Why did the angel appear to Joseph? (See Matthew 2:13.)

Why did the angel tell Joseph to go to Egypt? (So King Herod would not be able to find Jesus.)

Why did King Herod want to kill baby Jesus? (He was afraid Jesus would grow up to take his place as king.)

Explain that Heavenly Father watched over and protected Jesus by warning Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. Heavenly Father always watched over Jesus.

Bear your testimony that just as Heavenly Father loved and watched over Jesus Christ when he was on the earth, Heavenly Father also loves and watches over each of us. We are all his children.


Activity:

Cut circles of  paper or card and write 'Heavenly Father Watches over me'
Have children draw themselves on the circle.
Attach string if desired and turn into necklace, or something to hang.

Closing Song: The First Article of Faith #122

Closing Prayer:

Treat:

Put a Candle in it..

That's pretty much our motto for birthdays around here.

Everything is better with a candle

{some years I've even gotten away without having a cake... cause hey we've put a candle on a doughnut!!}

She's a smart girl cause usually the kids get choice of breakfast and often they choose doughuts or pancakes. She smartly said can I have both? And also begged for Caramel mudcake from the shops. This is what she really wanted {A $5 shop cake?? how can I deny??!!} Gee kids really are easy sometimes.


So now I officially have two kids over 10! where do the years go!


a cool 11 year old with a ukulele {her gift of choice}

 Number 11  she wore all day  - find here : Easy Birthday shirt tutorial

This girl always asks for the easy parties - she likes moving.

Pool Parties
Magic Party
Falling off a waterfall


This year she wanted skating. Very simple and easy.

Thanks to my sister who made the awesome lolly cake and mum for hosting eating before skating. 
Thanks to the 10 kids whom kept all their body parts unbroken!
{my only stress, kids breaking something skating while no other parents around!}

Another Birthday done and dusted and another one coming up next week.

Why do they have to grow up!?! wahhhh.

FHE Lesson {Noah}

Since us adults are studying the Old Testament in Sunday School this year - It reminded me to create some FHE lessons from there in the coming year for the children.




Opening Song: Follow the Prophet #110


Opening Prayer


Scripture: This lesson based on Genesis 6 - 9

Lesson:

Noah ( Gospel Art Picture Kit Picture #102 ) was chosen by God to build an Ark.
The people on earth were very bad. The Lord wanted to flood the earth. Noah and his family listened to God, because of this they were saved. Noah had to work hard to build the ark – it was very big and took 120 years to build! Two of every animal had to fit inside. ( Gospel Art Picture Kit Picture #103 )


Ask children to find toy animals (that you have previously hidden all around the house) and bring them to the ark (I used my fisher price plastic ark – if you don’t have similar make one out of cardboard or have a drawn picture stuck on the wall, or a feltboard) Have children rock the boat while you talk about how long the ark was in the water. Noah and his family and the animals were looked after by God and landed on dry ground eventually. God put a rainbow in the sky as a promise that he would not flood the earth again.



Action Song
Noah built an ark so big (outstretch arms);
He knew just what to do (place finger on side of forehead).
He hammered, sawed, and measured (make motions as indicated)
As he’d been commanded to (nod head).
And Noah called his family (beckon with arm)
To march onto the boat (march quietly in place)—
And, two by two, the animals (hold up two fingers)
Came aboard to float (make floating motion with hands).
The heavy dark clouds gathered (place hands above head),
The rain began to fall (wiggle fingers imitating rain)—
And all the earth was covered (make a sweeping motion with hand and arm);
There was no land at all (turn head from side to side).
The ark just floated safely (make a floating motion with hands)
Many a day and night (put hands together on one side of face),
Until the sun came out again (place arms in a circle above head)
And shone so warm and bright.
And all the water dried right up (cross arms across chest);
Dry land did appear (open arms and extend hands).
Noah’s family gave their thanks (bow head and fold arms)
That God was always near.
(Adapted from a verse by Beverly Spencer.)




Watch Cartoon video - chapter 6 - Noah found at lds.org





Closing Song: Quickly I'll Obey #197


Closing Prayer:




Treat:  Marshmallow animals :)

FHE Lesson {What do you love}

Opening Song: Love One Another

Opening Prayer:

Lesson:

 If you chose to celebrate Valentines you could firstly have a short discussion {or introduction} to expectations, what individuals would like to have happen on the day this week.  It could be a nice family dinner and dessert, a special heart shaped pancake breakfast or chocolates.
Or set a plan in motion for what the kids could do FOR YOU on Valentines ;)

Set and discuss goals to do a secret kindness for someone else this week
{help siblings, bake something for a neighbour/friend, do something special for mum and dad}

Discuss how and why we should love others {John 13:34}


 Activity:

Make Heart Maps {idea found here at Chocolate on my Cranium }

Basically draw a heart with several small compartments.
Inside each space draw a thing YOU LOVE.

Ideas to prompt young children:

Family
Pets
Drawing
Holidays
Animals
Nature
Flowers
Dancing
Reading

Leave Heart Maps up for the week to remind us of the real things we LOVE.

We are thankful for all the wonderful blessings and things to love in our lives.

 By focusing on real love we can avoid commercialization of Valentines Day.


 Have a LOVE-Y week!


 Closing Song: Jesus Said Love Everyone

Felt Hearts

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

15 Years Ago {Again}

When a man suggests taking a photo ?
Well you jump at it no?


Out of the blue the Mr said ' hey we should recreate the photo you put on the blog here '

..... it was a 15 year old engagement photo.

January 1999 we took a bunch of photos just before our engagement party .
Photos at the time were taken by my dad.

Dad happened to be over the other day so we even recreated it with the same photographer.

The only problem was did we have the strength to jump over the stone wall and teeter on the edge of the cliffs  anymore? {we made it - but barely!}

I even still have the same dress! I wore it for a few years then resigned it to the back of the cupboard.
It seemed too special to me to throw away.
Sadly the material has disintegrated a fair bit and the dress had lots of holes all over.
Happily I still fit the dress!! {barely} Hooray!


February is our Wedding Anniversary so a perfect timing to share embarrassing photo recreations.

It's actually kinda a hard job to recreate a photo. So they aren't perfect but good enough for a laugh.

I'm so glad to have been able to spend 15 years with this guy. In some ways I haven't known any other life, in other ways it seems but a fleeting moment and I would always beg 'but it hasn't been long enough!' if we were parted tomorrow. Sometimes I feel time is flying by and that I really should make better use of our time together. Before we know it we will be old. I don't want to regret anything or any missed moments. But I am happy that we are here 15 years later and are blessed enough to even be able to recreate those special moments. xx

FHE Lesson {Love Others}

 

Opening Song: Love One Another #308 (Hymn Book)

Opening Prayer:

Scriptures:

Matthew 22:35-39

1 John 4:20-21

Lesson:

Place a big sheet of paper with LOVE written in big letters in the middle on the floor.

{or on a whiteboard}

Who should we show love to?

Have children write and drew their answers all around the piece of paper.

Answers included :

Family, Mum and Dad, Sisters, Neighbours, Heavenly Father, Jesus, Cousins, Pets, Best friends, School Teachers, Primary Teachers, etc

Share the above scriptures:

Matthew 22:35-39

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great Commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 1 John 4:20-21

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

 

 

Discuss who is our neighbour,  who is our brother, how can we love others.

 

I am going to challenge the girls to love someone a little extra this week.

I will check with them to see what things they can do for someone whom they don't always get on with. eg. Classmates, their own sisters ;)  (eg share things with them, give a compliment, hold their tongue when they want to answer rudely back, invite them over, do a service for them)

Closing Song: We are Different #263

Closing Prayer:

Treat: Heart Chocolates! And maybe some to give away.

FHE Lesson {LOVE}

I'm not a fan of Valentines day persay but I am a big fan of hearts, love, telling my kids I love them, and teaching them to love others so I embrace the holiday for these things.
I have a few lessons on love to share in the weeks leading up to Valentines.


Opening Song:  Love One Another

Opening Prayer:

Scripture : John 13:34


Lesson:

Cut out a large heart and stick to floor. Have each family member stand on heart one at a time.
Have the other family members say what they love about the person on the heart.

How can we have better love at home?


Several studies tell us how its important for kids to know their family story.
Tell children how their parents met and fell in love.
Could also share grandparents love stories if you know these too.
You could also talk about how you felt when each child joined your family and you first 'met' them.


Activity Ideas:

Using a heart toy/or cut/sew one out of felt or even just a paper heart hide the heart around the house and play find the heart. Tell children love can always be found at our house.



Make a Valentines Tree:

This is an old one of ours. I used small branches from my yard spray painted red.

You can add:

Pictures of your family
Little paper hearts,decorations
Slips of paper with service ideas you have done, or they could do for eachother




Closing Song: Jesus Said Love Everyone

Closing Prayer:

Treat:
Use a heart cookie cutter to cut heart shapes out of bread and butter and cover in sprinkles

January

Oh January.

You are my black hole
{really starting back on December 26th see here }

I don't know why but I just can't organise myself in January.

Really its best to wait till February.

I feel like treading water - but in a good way?

Don't get me wrong - I'm not sad or depressed or worried...
{January is jokingly known as one of the most depressing  Blue Monday - see here}

it just seems like the world is on one lazy holiday

I seem to forget that shops and businesses  are open - that I could be doing stuff, making appointments, phoning people etc. I feel like everything else {the busy stuff} is missing from my life when perhaps it is just me that is missing... or I'm just missing my brain?

We are having wonderful holidays

just don't ask me to do anything

which is a problem because it was new year, and the Mr's birthday and my birthday and I need to prepare for back to school and paperwork for high school, Australia day, a back to school dinner celebration and another birthday the second week school is back {handing out birthday invites on the first day of school is awesome no?} and what of valentines and a certain 15th wedding anniversary??  Let alone making any new year resolutions {what are they?!}

However, how lovely is it to devote almost a whole month to being at home, being lazy, being with ones family? Very Lovely indeed. A blessed life. It feels so wonderful and rejuvenating.
A treasure.


Perhaps instead of a thinking I'm being sucked into a black hole its best to imagine


I'm just floating ... ebb and flow...


I'll be back soon I promise!
.

A promise to myself more than anything. Life is not all about holidays! {unfortunately}