Sweet I love you (family or couples)

When the children went back to school

I wanted to let them know I love them.

So as I can't actually be there with them at school

I decided maybe a lunch box surprise was in order.

So I searched for ideas...

There are lots on the web,

But nothing that fit my children perfectly.

 

That is until I searched Ebay 

(I know ebay obsessed - But you can find just about anything there!)

And I came across some super cute lolly moulds.

All our children (well except Oliver) use the I love you sign language sign

We like to use it when we are not in a position to actually tell the person.

The children enjoy on a Sunday showing Daddy they love him

as he sits at the front every Sunday this can be difficult for them so they use the sign.

So this

I love you sign lolly mould

was perfect for the job.

I did order it from a UK store but they don't seem to be offering it now.

A tasty way to let them now!

Explore the world of wet (Family)

Children develop and learn through exploration

And boy do they have fun exploring!

We sometimes forget,

when we are super busy with 

work,

church,

hobbies,

housework

etc..

How much fun it is to play like a child....

with the children!!!!

This week maybe take a moment to explore the world through your children's eyes!

You could;

• Paddle at the edge of a pond
• Play with play dough
• Make salt dough models
• Play with your food!
• Make art out of food

There are plenty more things you could do...

No doubt some of the above will appear in future posts!

Most importantly though...

HAVE FUN!

Connect four (Couples)

This week for our date night we enjoyed a date in the garden.

It involved these above,

A bucket BBQ,

Some yummy drinks,

Some Marshmallows,

A blanket,

Some cushions,

A sprinkling of stars...

and lots of fun!

Once the children had gone to bed we got ready to go 'out' on our date.

We set up our connect four outside...

David prepared the BBQ

(Sitting it on a piece of wood as our grass is astrofelt!)

We prepared the refreshments 

and we were ready for our night 'out'.

Ours is a giant Connect four which can be found here;

www.jaqueslondon.co.uk- giant connect 4

Though a small version works just as well!

It can be soooo much fun,

Though if one of you is alot better at it than the other

Let them win every so often

(without being obvious about it!)

As the evening roles on your BBQ will burn down a little

Which makes it PERFECT for roasting marshmallows on!

This is where the blankets and pillows come in,

As the night draws in it will get chilly.

But rather than going in

wrap up warm and cuddle!

Once it is dark it is the perfect time to lay back on the pillows

and watch the stars!!!

Back to school dinner (Family)

As the holidays draw to an end

Let's celebrate the fun that we have all had!

To do this we enjoyed a nice big Christmas style dinner

and at dinner we all shared our favorite memories from the summer.

It was also the perfect opportunity to announce the winner of our

Most Helpful Child Summer 2011 Award!

This is a little plaque which is attached to a big photo frame

which will contain our a photo of our favorite moment from the whole summer.

On the plaque is the name of the winner 

we also give them a medal which says 'winner 2011'.

The winner in our family also receives £20 

and a date night of their choice.

We then enjoy some games together

followed by a film.

I love the summer holidays!

Feeding the Ducks! (Family)

An old family favorite!

Through generations we have been enjoying feeding the ducks

But it seems 

(certainly where we are)

it is becoming harder and harder to find a place where ducks live.

We enjoyed feeding some ducks in a nice country park near Market Rasen

 

Wouldn't it be wonderful to share where you know ducks live?!

If you know a wonderful place to feed the ducks 

please leave a comment below so anyone who reads this post will know good local hot spots!

FHE - First Vision

When teaching during Family Home Evening

it can be difficult to keep the attention of all members of the family.

Especially if there are some very young ones and some older ones.

We try to find fun ways of teaching the lesson

while keeping everyone entertained.

For teaching the subject of 

The First Vision

we decided to go out for a bike ride to a woods.

When you find a suitable area take a seat and get ready for a little reverance.

(tip: Don't make it too long or when others go down the woods that day they will likely find grizzly parents chasing children running in random directions)

 The Story can be found here;

The First Vision    

or you could teach from;

Primary 3 lesson - First Vision

For FHE snack/ treat take along a picnic to enjoy after listening to the story.

Although the bike ride/ walk 

is a lovely activity for your family home evening 

you could also enjoy a game of hide and seek!

So much fun can be had teaching creatively!

Visiting Teaching - September 2011

This months message is entitled;

Strengthening Families by Increasing Spirituality.

This is such a wonderful message, 

a nice reminder that strong, families are not something we get without work.

The full message can be found here:

September 2011 Visiting Teaching Message

I have based my message handout on;

Sisters can help create strong homes and families as they act on personal revelation. “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life,” Sister Beck continued. “Qualifying for the Lord’s Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord’s Spirit with us. Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power to a woman’s life. Many answers to difficult questions are found by reading the scriptures because the scriptures are an aid to revelation. … Daily prayer is essential to having the Lord’s Spirit with us.”

We also strengthen our family members spiritually as we help them understand Heavenly Father’s eternal plan. “What can we do to better prepare our children spiritually for their eternal roles?” asked Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Perhaps the most inclusive answer is: Teach them how to live the principles of the gospel.” This teaching comes through daily prayer, scripture study, and family mealtimes as well as weekly family home evening and Church attendance. Elder Ballard explains: “We prepare each day, right now, for eternal life. If we are not preparing for eternal life, we are preparing for something less, perhaps something far less.”

Isn't it a lovely reminder of the things we should be doing.

The very things which will keep our families strong, happy and close

to both each other and Our Heavenly Father.

As this message talks of the importance of regular scripture study, prayer and family home evening

I decided to make a calendar to remind us of these important principles

as we enter back into our busy lives brought by school.

The Cover can be found here:

Calendar Cover 

The Main Calender can be found here:

Calendar

I hope you enjoy this message, 

please print an extra copy for yourself!

I can't wait to pin mine to my fridge and use it with my family!

The children are very excited to use it.