May Activity Summary

Thanks to all of you who are actually reading the blog! Please leave a comment so I don't feel like I'm talking to myself!
Had fun last night! Will have pictures up soon from last month's and hopefully soon of this month's activities.  Thank you so much Joanna Hurley for taking the pictures! It is a huge relief to me that you are taking care of this!!  Special thank you to Nicole Christensen for organizing the Children's Class (and for Sister Osborn and Sister Jones for teaching!) and for teaching the Gardening class, and thank you to Tanya Christopherson for taking care of the food.  It was fun and summery!

For those who did not go we'll put a few of the lists up here for you.

100 cool summer activities Thank you Kari - DO go to the website, there are TONS of SUPER things on there!!

 http://www.u-createcrafts.com/the-ultimate-summer-bucket-list/

1. picnic at the park

2. play in a kiddie pool

3. make smores

4. homemade pizza party

5. make pet rocks

6. have a cousin sleepover

7. make a lemonade stand

8. go to a summer matinee

9. tie dye t-shirts

10. write your own story

11. scavenger hunt walk

12. lunch with dad at work

13. attend story time at the library

14. make ice cream in a baggie

15. visit an IMAX theater

16. fondue night

17. catch fireflies or bugs

18. have a water balloon fight

19. make journals

20. go to a parade

21. make homemade jam

22. hunt for shapes in the clouds

23. go to a water splash pad

24. play Legos

25. go fishing

26. build an indoor fort using blankets

27. go bowling

28. backyard water games

29. go to a baseball game

30. go to the zoo

31. have a fun summer reading program

32. family bike ride

33. go to a park you’ve never been to before

34. learn to swim or go swimming

35. make a time capsule

36. go bird watching

37. make homemade popsicles

38. play catch

39. learn & play new board game

40. go see a fireworks show

41. mail a letter to someone special

42. attend a kids workshop at Home Depot or Lowe’s

43. outdoor movie night

44. make 4^th of July shirts

45. learn to hula hoop

46. play dress up

47. go to a drive-in movie

48. bake cookies

49. fly a kite

50. go on a road trip

51. do a fun science project

52. go camping

53. make a bird feeder

54. play hopscotch

55. make paper airplanes and race

56. make sail boats and race

57. set up or make a slip n slide

58. play mini golf

59. skip rocks in a river

60. make smoothies

61. go to a children’s museum

62. start a rock collection

63. plant a garden

64. have a family talent show

65. run in the sprinklers

66. make friendship bracelets

67. create sidewalk art using chalk

68. have a yard sale and let the kids help

69. make homemade bubbles

70. go to an amusement park

71. make princess crowns or hero capes

72. make homemade play dough

73. do a jigsaw puzzle

74. have a pillow fight

75. play mini golf

76. camping in the backyard

77. make sand castles at the park or beach

78. make or go get snow cones

79. go the the local fair

80. homemade marshmallow guns

81. make a video

82. catch butterflies with nets

83. make homemade instruments

84. go horseback riding

85. decorate cupcakes or cookies

86. go to an outdoor concert

87. have a treasure hunt

88. play Frisbee

89. make sun catchers

90. visit a nature center

91. go to the beach

92. collect sea shells

93. go a local farmer’s market

94. have a puppet show

95. make root beer floats

96. have an ice cream party with lots of toppings

97. make recycled crayons

98. go to the skate park or a skating rink

99. favorite movies marathon

100. make treats for neighbors

They had so much fun putting this list together and we are so excited for school to get out!

And here is a copy of my fridge list:

Fridge List

Make a list of things to do that require little or no supervision from mom or dad and put it on the fridge. When Jr. starts whining about being b-o-r-e-d (A word that is banned in our house!) they can choose from the list. The trick is that once they are referred to the list, they HAVE to do something on the list before they bother mom or dad. The last item on the list should always be "Take a nap". Truly it's the most popular one. I have used this for years and sometimes kids just don't realize they are tired until they see this!  Second most popular- painting the dog’s toenails! She loves it! (Have them do this outside!)

I usually keep the list to 25 so as to not be too overwhelming. You can make two out of this list and switch them out the next school break.  You can walk around your house for ideas, but here is one to get you started. I'll try to keep it from being too "girl" or too "boy"-- you can make different lists for each child if you wish.

1. Decorate the back patio with sidewalk chalk

2. Make a daisy chain

3. Take some blank paper and envelopes and decorate your own stationary

4. Get some magazines out of recycling and make a collage

5. Have a tea party with your friend or teddy

6. Paint the dog's toenails

7. Make a border for your room with continuous paper

8. Play with Barbies/Airplanes

9. Measure 10 things with a ruler

10. Get out your last year's school things and play school

11. Make a calendar

12. Decorate bookmarks, "laminate" with clear packing tape

13. Write a poem about something in the yard

14. Blow bubbles or take a bubble bath

15. Make a keytag to hang on your booksack - bead animal, letter beads with your name, or a scripture verse on construction paper then laminated with tape and a hole poked through

16. Make cookies (from a mix, with easy-bake oven, or from scratch)

17. Organize sock drawer

18. Write a play and produce it

19. Make a castle from toilet paper tubes and boxes in recycling

20. Write a letter to a cousin or grandma

21. Illustrate a story - write then color pictures to go with it

22. Find a scripture verse you like and type it on the computer/typewriter or write with fancy letters and color

23. Cut out hearts and hide them for loved ones to find around the house

24. Play with toy soldiers outside

25. Make a snack with fruit and vegetables

26. Take pictures with digital camera (with permission)

27. Call a friend

28. Look up your favorite animal in the encyclopedia or dictionary

29. Find your house on a map

30. Make a boredom kit for the car or for a friend. Include word searches, "mad libs", drawings to color, and supplies if you have them

31. Fluff up all the pillows in the house

32. Make a birthday card for a friend

33. Play with legos/duplos/building sets/lincoln logs/tinkertoys

34. Play a game (Chutes and Ladders, Checkers)

35. Make a list of movies/books you own. Put them in alphabetical order. Make a list of movies/books you would like to own.

36. Make a Christmas/Birthday list

37. Make animals out of pipe cleaners

38. Change your bed

39. Have a picnic

40. Read a book

41. Make something with Origami paper

42. Pick some flowers in the yard, put in vase

43. Do a secret good deed :)

44. Look in your Scout book and decide on something you can finish today/Work on your collection

45. Decorate old socks for a puppet show

46. Sing a song

47. Look through your old books, find 3 to donate; or find clothes you have outgrown to donate

48. Play a musical instrument in the house or outside.

49. look at old pictures or scrapbooks

50. Take a nap

Change out the list occasionally, adding and subtracting things that are suitable. If you have two lists, you don't usually have to worry all summer. :) Add things like Count your money... stack books as high as you can then put away...blow up balloons-- make moments that are easy photo bait. Take pictures of them doing cool stuff and the grandparents are sure to think you are the best mom ever!

Of course you can really make them happy by bringing home the occasional refrigerator or dryer box and letting them make it into a fort/house/hotel/store/rocketship/train/airplane/school/library!

Here is a teenaged version of the Fridge List!

For teenagers Fridge List

  1.     Choose one drawer or shelf to organize in the kitchen, laundry, or your room

2.     Bake something you would like to learn to make

3.     Get out your Scout manual/YW Personal Progress and sign something off

4.     Memorize a scripture verse that means something to you

5.     Memorize a Conference quote with reference

6.     Learn how to tie a knot like the Bowline

7.     Practice cartwheels

8.     Jog to the park

9.     Call a friend on the phone-or a relative-or go see a friend

10.  Make a Friend book for friends to sign, share their favorite color, movie, song, etc.

11.  Write a poem about something that made you think of God today

12.  Think of a way to be nice to someone who was ugly to you

13.  Google an art form you want to learn more about

14.  Learn about your dad’s job.  Try to get a few interesting facts.

15.  Take an experience you had recently and write it down.  Practice making it a good story.

16.  Write in your journal

17.  Check out Sparknotes on a book you have read recently or will need to read soon or that you have been thinking about reading. It’s a good way to read a little to learn a lot.

18.  Make a prayer list – people you want to pray for, and things you want to achieve that you need to pray about

19.  Draw – Take a quote that inspires you and around it draw a design or illustration

20.  Make a goal for yourself you would like to achieve and write it down in your journal and in 5 other places you’ll be able to see it often.  If you would like, share with a buddy and see if they will do the same thing and share it with you so you can encourage each other.

21.  Check out a youtube video of something you have been meaning to learn. Origami, knitting, drawing in pen and ink, yoga, web page design…it’s all there and much much more!

22.  Share a Conference quote you liked on Facebook

23.  Make something with a skill you have learned.  Give it to someone.

24.  Help your mom when she’s doing chores/cleaning

25.  Pack a lunch for tomorrow

26.  Design your own stationary using plain envelopes and paper, markers, watercolors, pen

27.  Make a goal for saving money

28.  Make a list of things you like to do that may help relieve stress –music, air temperature, location

29.  Help an older person with a technical issue

30.  Write to a missionary serving in your ward

31.  Make a healthy snack

32.  Start a thankfulness journal, writing 5 things you are thankful for every day

33.  Start a journal for your future Eternal Companion to read.  Write it for that person and when you get engaged/married you can give it to them to read. It’s sometimes easier to write TO someone.

34.  Make something for a leader you admire

Take a nap

I don't think that formatted nicely but please feel free to copy and paste and make your own list. This is something you will personalize! 

I'll try to get some Gardening stuff up here. I loved Nicole's handout, really helps to know when to plant things.  Thanks so much for coming and caring! Please comment for me!! thanks!! Heidi

Coming Up

Calendar:  Conference April 4-5
Service Project Grace Presbyterian Bag mats and hats, April 11 9am to 2pm byolunch
April 18 Stake Activity
Day of Service April 25

May 12 RS Activity

Relief Society Birthday Dinner March 10 6:30 p,m.

We had fun at the party!

Here are some photos of our Relief Society Dinner!

                                                                            Pictionary!

 $10,000 Pyramid!

Ladybug cupcakes! How cute!

Pasta salad!!

 Name that Tune! Thanks for playing, Claudia!!

Quotes

"May you constantly nourish your

 testimonies of the gospel that they will be

a protection to you

 against the buffetings of the adversary."

- President Thomas S. Monson

"Many prayers are spoken while we are on our knees. The Savior knelt as He prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41). But silent prayers of the heart also reach to heaven. We sing, 'Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed' (Hymn no. 145). Sincere prayers come from the heart. Indeed, sincerity requires that we draw from the earnest feelings of our hearts when we pray rather than using vain repetitions or pretentious affectations such as those condemned by the Savior in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (see Luke 18:10-14). Our prayers then truly become the 'song of the heart' and 'a prayer' (D&C 25:12), not only reaching God but touching the hearts of others as well."

- President James E. Faust

"One of the sneaky ploys of the adversary is to have us believe that unquestioning obedience to the principles and commandments of God is blind obedience. His goal is to have us believe that we should be following our own worldly ways and selfish ambitions. This he does by persuading us that 'blindly' following the prophets and obeying the commandments is not thinking for ourselves. He teaches that it is not intelligent to do something just because we are told to do so by a living prophet or by prophets who speak to us from the scriptures.

Our unquestioning obedience to the Lord's commandments is not blind obedience. President Boyd K. Packer in the April conference of 1983 taught us about this: 'Latter-day Saints are not obedient because they are compelled to be obedient. They are obedient because they know certain spiritual truths and have decided, as an expression of their own individual agency, to obey the commandments of God. . . . We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see'.”

- Elder R. Conrad Schultz

"Spiritual submissiveness is not accomplished in an instant, but by the incremental improvements and by the successive use of stepping-stones. Stepping-stones are meant to be taken one at a time anyway. Eventually our wills can be 'swallowed up in the will of the Father' as we are 'willing to submit . . . even as a child doth submit to his father' (Mosiah 15:7; 3:19). Otherwise, though striving, we will continue to feel the world's prop wash and be partially diverted."

- Elder Neal A. Maxwell

As a young boy, life on our small family farm was heaven. Often in our humble home there were not as many shingles as we had roof. The rest-room facility was connected by a long path that required some advance planning, and sometimes my worn shirt had more buttonholes than buttons. The Saturday night bath in front of a warm stove, where your body experienced both extremes in temperature, was a luxury.

Then something changed. I started school and began to notice possessions I had not known. Some had nice clothing, beautiful homes with all the modern conveniences, and newer automobiles. Many my age were not required to arise early and do chores before going to school, only to go home at night and do them all over again. While they were popular and confident, I became backward and shy. Regretfully, I began to forget how happy I had been with my basket of blessings as I indulged in comparing their seemingly endless bushels to mine. Thus, the blinders to humility began distorting reality, giving way to ingratitude. The expectation that more is deserved can cause our plate of plenty to appear empty. Gratitude has many faces and takes on many forms. . . Gratitude begins with attitude. While to some every apple shines, to others the remaining blemishes after the polishing process are all that's visible. We must use caution not to be drawn into the growing populace of ungrateful people who have become calloused to blessings as they bicker in misery.

Joy and happiness are born of gratitude. Recently Sister Watts and I spent three years in another part of the world working with a very kind and gracious people. If worldly possessions equated to happiness, the majority of these Saints would be unhappy. Quite the contrary, gratitude abounds, resulting in a contagious display of rejoicing. It is evident that even though they live in a challenging environment with few advantages, they are a delightful people. A cheerfulness is generated by their gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings derived from living the principles taught. One faithful district president expressed gratitude to have a bicycle for transportation to perform his calling. It seemed the more he pedaled, the happier he became. Perhaps there is a lesson here: if we are feeling ungrateful, we need to pedal a little faster. The depth and the willingness with which we serve is a direct reflection of our gratitude. . . President James E. Faust has said, 'A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness'.

- Elder Gordon T. Watts

"Do you, with me, remember the story from childhood days of that persuasive musician, the Pied Piper of Hamelin? 

You will recall that he entered Hamelin and offered, for a specified sum of money, to rid the town of the vermin with which it was plagued.  When the contract was agreed upon, he played his pipe and the rats came swarming from the buildings and followed him to the river, where they drowned.  When the town leaders refused to pay him for his services, he returned to play his pipe and led the precious children away from the safety of their families and their homes, never to return.

Are there Pied Pipers even today?  Are they playing alluring music to lead, to their own destruction, those who listen and follow?  These pipers pipe the tunes of pride and pleasure, of selfishness and greed and leave in their wake confused minds, troubled hearts, empty lives, and destroyed dreams...Brethren of the priesthood, the world is in need of your help.  There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.  The harvest truly is great.  Let there be no mistake about it; the missionary opportunity of a lifetime is yours.  The blessings of eternity await you.  Yours is the privilege to be not spectators but participants on the stage of priesthood service."

- President Thomas S. Monson

"Right now, this very moment, is part of our eternal progression towards returning with our families to the presence of our Father in Heaven...That understanding helps us to make wise decisions in the many choices of our daily lives.  Seeing life from an eternal perspective helps us focus our limited mortal energies on the things that matter most.  We can avoid wasting our lives laying 'up for ourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt' (Matt. 6:19). We can lay up treasures in heaven and not trade our eternal spiritual birthright.

This is the day of our mortal probation.  We might compare our eternal journey to a race of three laps around the track.  We have completed the first lap successfully and have made wonderful progress.  We have started on the second lap.  Can you imagine a world-class runner stopping along the track at this point to pick flowers or chase a rabbit that crossed his path? 

Yet this is what we are doing when we occupy our time with worldly pursuits that do not move us closer to the third lap toward eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. (See D&C 14:7.)"

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

"If you really want to be like the Lord, more than anything or anyone else, you will remember that your adoration of Jesus is best shown by your emulation of Him.  Then you will not allow any other love to become more important than love for your companion, your family, and your Creator. You will govern yourself not by someone else's set of rules but by revealed principles of truth.

Your responsibility to endure is uniquely yours.  But you are never alone.  I testify that the lifting power of the Lord can be yours if you will 'come unto Christ' and 'be perfected in him.'  You will 'deny yourselves of all ungodliness.'  And you will 'love God with all your might, mind and strength' (Moroni 10:32)."

- Elder Russell M. Nelson

"We can turn from the paths which would lead us down and, with a song in our hearts, follow a star and walk toward the light. We can quicken our step, bolster our courage, and bask in the sunlight of truth. We can hear more clearly the laughter of little children.

We can dry the tear of the weeping. We can comfort the dying by sharing the promise of eternal life. If we lift one weary hand which hangs down, if we bring peace to one struggling soul, if we give as did the Master, we can--by showing the way--become a guiding star for some lost mariner.

Because life is fragile and death inevitable, we must make the most of each day. . . My brothers and sisters, may we resolve from this day forward to fill our hearts with love. May we go the extra mile to include in our lives any who are lonely or downhearted or who are suffering in any way. May we 'cheer up the sad and make someone feel glad' (Hymns no. 223). May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may have no serious regrets, no unfinished business, but will be able to say with the Apostle Paul, 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith' (2 Tim. 4:7)."

- Elder Boyd K. Packer

"We can turn from the paths which would lead us down and, with a song in our hearts, follow a star and walk toward the light. We can quicken our step, bolster our courage, and bask in the sunlight of truth. We can hear more clearly the laughter of little children. We can dry the tear of the weeping. We can comfort the dying by sharing the promise of eternal life. If we lift one weary hand which hangs down, if we bring peace to one struggling soul, if we give as did the Master, we can--by showing the way--become a guiding star for some lost mariner.

Because life is fragile and death inevitable, we must make the most of each day. . . My brothers and sisters, may we resolve from this day forward to fill our hearts with love. May we go the extra mile to include in our lives any who are lonely or downhearted or who are suffering in any way. May we 'cheer up the sad and make someone feel glad' (Hymns no. 223). May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may  have no serious regrets, no unfinished business, but will be able to say with the Apostle Paul, 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith' (2 Tim. 4:7)."

- President Thomas S. Monson

"We cannot force God’s children to choose the way to happiness.

God cannot do that because of the agency He has given us."

- President Henry B. Eyring

Pictures from February Activity!

Stretching out 

and Hand outs!

Thank you to Jill Stewart, Brittany Osborn, Emily Bradley, Michele Broussard, Heidi Pullen, and to the Activities Committee! Nicole Christensen, Toni Brasseaux, Rachel Brown, Susan Bergeron, Tanya Christopherson, JoAnne Hurley, Megan MacDonald, Billie Mulder, Roberta White,