New Year Resolutions

"The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live" (Pres. Henry B. Eyring, Ensign Nov. 2009).



Opening song: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus (CS, 78-79)
Prayer: Luke
Scripture: John 13:34

Lesson:
Resolutions & Goal-Setting
Define what a goal is and invite family members to share some examples of goals they have set and what they did to accomplish them. Point out that it helps to write down our goals and tell our family about them. That way they can support us in our goals. Remind children that goals take time, practice and work because they are often difficult to accomplish. (Reference: "Amy's Goal", Friend Jan. 2010)

Jesus Is Our Perfect Example
Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior. What are some attributes of the Savior? What are some goals we might set to help us become more like the Savior? Invite family members to suggest goals that will help them become more like the Savior. Write down your goals or draw a picture of what you will try to do. Testify that Jesus lived a perfect life and showed us the way to be happy. When we try each day to be like Jesus, we prepare to live with God again.

Jesus Commanded Us to Be Perfect
Pres. Eyring has said, "We believe that through living the gospel of Jesus Christ we can become like the Savior, who is perfect." Read Matt. 5:43-48 and discuss what Jesus meant when He commanded us to be perfect (love everyone, even our enemies). Testify that the Savior loves everyone, including us. Challenge each family member to try to become more like the Savior by showing an increase of love toward others, particularly their family members.

Optional: Share more excerpts from "Our Perfect Example" by Pres. Henry B. Eyring (see Ensign, November 2009).

Closing song: Love One Another (Hymns, 308)
Prayer: Dad

Activity:
Family Memory Box
Decorate a shoe box or coffee can like a time capsule then fill it with memories from the previous year (e.g. include family pictures, souvenirs from family outings, hand prints made by the children, and letters written about each child). You could also include a written statement describing last year's accomplishments and family goals (or resolutions) for the new year. Open the box one year later and enjoy the memories.

Tip: Prepare in advance a fill-in-the-blank form letter for each of your children, then quickly interview them to fill in the blanks with their own answers (see Friend, Jan. 2005).

Our family adds more letters and memorabilia to the box year after year. It has become a fun New Year's Day tradition to open our time capsule and read the letters we have written to ourselves.

Refreshments:
Caramel Popcorn

Credits:
Conducting= Collin
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Treat= Luke

The True Gift of Christmas

"Eternal life is to inherit a place in the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God's presence and continue as families. This gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (True to the Faith, pg. 52).



Opening song: Away in a Manger (Hymns, 206)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: John 8:12

Lesson:
Wisemen Follow a New Star
Turn off the lights and tell the story of the wisemen from the east (see Matthew 2:1-12). Provide paper crowns for the children to wear. Shine a flashlight on the ceiling to represent the new star. (Or, decorate a bedroom ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars.) Describe how the wisemen followed the star to find baby Jesus. Why did God choose a star to be the sign of Christ's birth? How is Jesus the light of the world?

Wisemen Bring Gifts to Jesus
Use the flashlight to help you walk in the dark to the Christmas tree. Point out the star on the top of the Christmas tree. Explain that it represents the new star that appeared the night Jesus was born. Describe the gifts the wisemen brought to Jesus. What was the significance of these gifts? What gifts can we give to the Savior?

The Gift of Eternal Life
Read John 3:16. What gift did God give to the world? Because God loves us, He sent His Son to be a Savior for us. Explain that the evergreen leaves of the Christmas tree remind us to hope for eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7). Write the words "eternal life" on the gift you wrapped. Keep it under the tree to help you remember the gift of life God gave to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Because of his atoning sacrifice, we have hope for eternal life.

Activity:
Choose a Favorite Neighborhood Light Display
Drive through your neighborhood to enjoy the Christmas light displays. Choose one house that is your favorite and leave an award certificate for best light display along with some Christmas goodies.

Gift Wrap Games
Provide an inexpensive gift that has been wrapped with multiple layers of wrapping paper. Sit in a circle and take turns rolling two dice. The first person to roll doubles will put on a pair of winter mittens and try to open the gift. Meanwhile, other family members continue to roll the dice. As soon as the next person rolls doubles, the mittens and gift are passed to them. They take a turn to unwrap the gift. Play continues until the gift is entirely unwrapped.

Closing song: Stars Were Gleaming (CS, 37)
Prayer: Mom

Refreshments:
Apricot Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Dad
Activity= Collin
Treat= Mom

Because I Have Been Given Much

"We are the Lord's hands...The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone" (President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign November 2009).



Opening Song: Because I Have Been Given Much (Hymns, 219)
Prayer: Dad
Scripture: Acts 20:35

Lesson:
What Have I Done for Someone Today?
Help children learn the proper way to set the kitchen table. (Tip: Provide a placemat with an outline of a plate, glass and utensils.) Then recount the story Pres. Monson shared in general conference about the McConnell family. What question did the father ask his children each night at the dinner table? (Answer: What did you do for someone today?) Share how this tradition inspired the McConnell children to help others throughout their lives.

How Can I Provide Service for Others?
Invite each family member to share one way they can serve others. Then list the examples Pres. Monson shared. (Tip: Younger children can act out a service and invite others to guess what it is; older children can list as many acts of service as they can on paper and earn points for unique answers.) Read Matt. 25: 34-40. Testify that when we serve others we are serving the Lord.

Service Placemats
Talk about what you can do as a family to follow the prophet's counsel and serve others. Decorate placemats and write on each mat the phrase "What have I done for someone today?". Remember to ask yourselves this question each night at dinner, as the prophet counseled us to do.

Challenge
Plan a family service project, or introduce a "warm fuzzy" jar to encourage daily service. That is, place a colorful pom-pom inside a jar each time you give service to represent the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you show kindness to others. Similarly, you can place a piece of straw (or rafia) in a manger each time you give service to ready the manger for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day (see photo below).

Activity: Decorate the Christmas tree. Have a family sleepover in the living room under the tree and reminisce about Christmases past.

Treat: Leftover pie from Thanksgiving

Closing Song: Have I Done Any Good? (Hymns, 223)
Prayer: Mom



Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Collin
Activity= Mom
Treat= Dad

Things to Be Thankful For

"Thank the Lord for His restored church. Thank Him for all that it offers you. Thank Him for friends and family. Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights" (from Gratitude, True to the Faith).



Opening song: Children All Over the World (CS, 16)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Lesson:
Blastoff Space Explorers!
Read "Matt and Mandy Blastoff" (see Friend, Nov. 2009). Like Matt and Mandy, decorate a large box to look like a rocket ship and pretend to be astronauts. Then explore different rooms in your house (representing different planets) in search of things to be thankful for. Your space mission will include stories and activities from The Friend. (See suggestions below.)

Planet R (Restoration)
Read "Fearless in Sharing the Gospel" and complete the activity that follows. Invite each family member to look up one of the scriptures, then decode the message on the banner to find something to be thankful for. The restoration of the gospel is something to be thankful for!

Planet F (Friends)
Read "The Right Kind of Friend". Find a hidden CTR ring somewhere in the room (and in the Friend magazine), then talk about how important it is to choose good friends. Good friends are something to be thankful for!

Planet H (Home & Family)
Put together the puzzle from "A Happy Home" or complete the activity "Making Your Home a Holy Place". Express appreciation for something that each family member does to make your home a happy place. A happy home where the Spirit of the Lord can be felt is something to be thankful for!

Planet B (Body)
Learn how to communicate a few words in sign language then read "Porter's Terrible Super Day". Learn how to sign a favorite song by watching a video tutorial. Alternatively, read "Jesus Heals a Sick Man" and learn how to transport a person who is hurt or ill (i.e., take turns being carried in a blanket). Having a healthy body is something to be thankful for!

Planet E (Earth)
As you come back to planet Earth, share with your family your favorite creation. The beauty of the Earth is something to be thankful for!

Testify that because God loves us, He has given us many things to be thankful for, such as the gospel, friends, family, a body and this beautiful Earth.

Activity:
Play Dough
Build space ships with Legos or sculpt aliens from Play Dough. (Making homemade play dough is always fun!) Then create planets for them using coffee filters, markers and a spray bottle. Color coffee filters with markers, then spray with water and watch the colors blend. When dry, glue the planet to a black piece of construction paper.

Refreshment: Root Beer floats

Song: For the Beauty of the Earth (Hymns, 92)
Prayer: Dad



Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Refreshments= Collin

Don't Ever Forget to Pray

"And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness." (Ether 5:3)



Opening song: Children All Over the World (CS, 16)
Prayer: Luke
Scripture: 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Lesson:
Saying Thank You in Many Languages
Learn how to say thank you in a few different languages (refer to song above). Discuss how Heavenly Father understands the language of all of His children. He knows them and loves them. Through prayer we can communicate with our Father in Heaven. We can thank Him for the great blessings we receive.

The Jaredites Pray in Faith
The Jaredites lived at a time when many wicked people tried to build a tower to reach heaven. To punish them the Lord confused their language. How would it feel to suddenly not understand the language of your neighbors, friends and family?

Did the Lord change the language of the Jaredite family? Let's tell the story and find out (see Ether 1-6 and artwork). Include actions like building a block tower of Babel (see Genesis 11:1-9), kneeling to pray, building a boat (blankets over the kitchen table), and finding sixteen hidden stones. Turn off the lights and get in your "boat", then shine a flashlight on the stones. Talk about how the Lord touched them and made them shine with light.

Don't Ever Forget to Pray
Recall that there was a time that the Jaredite family forgot to pray. Before they set sail for the promised land, they lived in peace by the sea for four years. They began to take their blessings for granted and forgot to thank the Lord. Eventually, the Lord spoke with the brother of Jared and invited him to repent and pray always.

Testify that when we have a grateful heart and pray in faith, the Lord can perform miracles in our lives.

Activity:
Building a Block Tower of Babel
Challenge your family to build a block tower that touches the ceiling! Use blocks, boxes, non-perishable foods, or whatever you can find to make your tower as tall as possible.

Refreshments:
Lemon bars
(See recipe below.)

Closing song: Don't Ever Forget to Pray (see Friend, April 20o6)
Prayer: Dad



Recipe:
Lemon Squares
Crust:
1 c. butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar (packed)
1/2 t. salt
2 c. flour

Mix well. Spread into bottom of greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min. (until slightly browned).

Filling:
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1/2 t. powder
1/4 c. flour (packed)
1/4 c. lemon juice

Mix together. Pour over hot crust. Bake an additional 20-25 min. at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with powdered sugar on top while still warm.

Credits:
Conducting: Luke
Lesson: Dad
Activity: Collin
Refreshments: Mom

Gratitude Is an Attitude

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thesselonians 5:16-18).




Opening song: Count Your Blessings (Hymns, 241)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Lesson:
Gratitude Glasses
Hide a variety of objects (representing blessings) inside brown paper lunch bags, such as an apple, a family photo, scriptures, autumn leaves, etc. Talk about how we have many blessings but sometimes forget them, or have a difficult time seeing them. Present a pair of "gratitude glasses" to your family. Explain that when nothing seems to be going right, these glasses can help you find things to be glad about. Take turns wearing the glasses as you open each bag. Discuss each blessing you discover.

The Ten Lepers
Read the Biblical account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus (see Luke 17:11-19 and art work). Why is it important to thank God for the blessings He gives us? How do we show our thanks to God? Play the game below to help you think about your own blessings.

The Leper Wrap Game
Unwrap a roll of toilet paper (representing leper bandages) and use a marker to write the letters in the word G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E. Each letter should be written on a tissue square that is far apart from the others. To begin play, the first person wraps an arm or leg in tissue until he finds a letter (and possibly a hidden candy). He then tears the roll of tissue and says something he is grateful for. The roll of tissue is then passed to the next family member. Continue until the tissue is completely gone and you have a family of grateful lepers. Build the word 'gratitude' and remind children that gratitude is an attitude of thankfulness.

Challenge: Stuff the Turkey
Decorate a paper bag turkey. Each day until Thanksgiving, write something you are grateful for and put it inside the turkey. Come Thanksgiving you will have "stuffed" the turkey. Read blessings aloud on Thanksgiving Day and try to guess who wrote what. Also, invite kids to put on the gratitude glasses whenever they start whining or complaining. It will remind them to have an attitude of gratitude!

Activity:
Handmade Thank You Cards
Decorate your own thank you cards with fingerprint turkeys (see photo below). Write a note inside then deliver them to neighbors, friends, family, teachers, and others you wish to thank for the kindness they have shown to you.

Refreshments:
Coconut Cupcakes
Decorate like turkeys using Nutter Butter cookies for the head and fruit leather for colored feathers (see instructions or recipe below).

Closing song: Children All Over the World (CS, 16)
Prayer: Mom



Credits:
Conducting: Luke
Lesson: Collin
Activity: Mom
Refreshments: Dad

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

"I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear" (Elder Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign Nov. 2009).



Our activity tonight included reading past journal entries. This is Collin's journal entry Nov. 1, 2008, which was about Halloween last year. The drawing includes our Star Wars family costumes and all the candy Collin collected trick-or-treating. His favorite? Bubble gum, of course.

Opening song: The Lord Gave Me a Temple
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (Bible, New Testament)

Lesson:
I have five senses that help me.
Take turns using your five senses to identify different items. For example, use your eyes to find a hidden object (picture of Jesus). Use only your sense of smell to identify a food (peanut butter). Use only your sense of touch to identify an in a bag (toy dinosaur). Use only your ears to identify the source of a mystery sound (squeaky door opening). Use only your sense of taste to identify a food (grape). How do each of our five senses help us? Explain that our senses help us learn about the world around us.

The Holy Ghost helps me.
Another way we can learn something is through the power of the Holy Ghost. When the Holy Ghost testifies to us, we can know the truth even more surely than when we rely on our senses. (See quote from Elder Scott above.) The Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and our heart through feelings and impressions. With practice, we can learn to recognize and trust this still, small voice.

I always want the Holy Ghost to be with me.
Show a photo of Elder Scott and explain that he is a living apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the last general conference, he taught us what we must do to be taught by the Holy Spirit. Invite a family member to eat a grape and a jalapeno pepper at the same time. Can you taste the grape? Why not? Can your other senses be masked too? (Use an oven mitt to mask your sense of touch, plug your nose, wear ear plugs, etc.) Read the following quote from Elder Scott:

"The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit...

What does Elder Scott say will prevent us from tasting the fruits of the Spirit? (strong emotions, sin, pornography, etc.) What can we do to welcome guidance from the Holy Spirit? (be obedient, exercise faith, have patience, practice listening, be prayerful, be humble, be grateful, etc.)

Testify that the gift of the Holy Ghost is given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. When we keep our mind and body clean, the Holy Spirit is welcome there. Our body can be bright like a temple when we have the light of the Spirit to teach and guide us.

Activity:
Enjoy family journals, scrapbooks and home movies
Set a timer and write in your journals together until time is up. (Younger children can draw a picture.) Then share past experiences that you have recorded in your journals, look at family scrapbooks, or watch home movies. Refer to the story Elder Scott shares about the importance of recording spiritual experiences (see Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 6–9).

Refreshments: Ghost sugar cookies (Happy Halloween!)

Closing song: Let the Holy Spirit Guide
Prayer: Luke



Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Treat= Collin

Modesty Matters (Backwards Night)

"The human body is God's sacred creation. Respect your body as a gift from God. Through your dress and appearance, you can show the Lord that you know how precious your body is" (from Modesty, True to the Faith).




Tonight is backwards night! That is, we will reverse the order in which we conduct our family home evening. Our kids love backwards night because the treat and activity come first, i.e. before the lesson. We even read our scripture backwards, which the kids find entertaining.

Closing song: I Love to See the Temple
Prayer: Collin

Activity:
Leaf Memory Game
Go for a nature walk to collect autumn leaves. Be sure to collect at least two of each kind. When you're back home, glue or tape two of each kind to index cards to make a leaf memory game. Play the game together with your family.

Refreshment: Upside-down Pumpkin Pie (see recipe below)

Lesson:
The Lord's Standard of Modesty
Display a copy of "My Gospel Standards". Read and discuss the standards listed below.

• I will dress modestly to show respect to Heavenly Father and myself.
  
• I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.
  
• I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure.

What does it mean to dress modestly? How does dressing modestly show respect for Heavenly Father? When we are modest, we do not draw attention to ourselves. Instead we invite the companionship of the Spirit and exercise a good influence on those around us.

Avoid Pornography
Read the story "The Best Coach" (see Friend, Oct. 2009). How is the Holy Ghost like a coach? How did the Holy Ghost help Jacob choose the right? If you are reading or watching something (books, magazines, TV, Internet) that starts to make you uncomfortable, what can you do?

Fill Your Mind with Good Things
Just like your body must be filled with healthy foods, your mind must be filled with uplifting thoughts and good memories. What you see and hear stays in your mind for a long time. (Refer to the leaf memory activity above.) When we keep our mind pure, the Holy Ghost can be with us to teach and guide us.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (Bible, New Testament)
Opening song: The Lord Gave Me a Temple
Prayer: Dad



Recipe: Upside-down Pumpkin Pie
1 can (29oz) Cooked Pumpkin

1 can (12oz) Evaporated Milk

3 Eggs

1 c. Sugar

1t. Salt

3 t. Cinnamon

1 box Yellow Cake Mix
1 c. Sliced Almonds or Chopped Pecans
3/4 c. Melted Butter

Mix the first six ingredients until well blended. Pour into a 9X13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top of the mixture, then sprinkle with nuts. Pour melted butter over everything. Bake 50 min. at 350 degrees. Serve warm and top with homemade whipped cream.

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Dad
Activity= Collin
Treat= Mom

The Word of Wisdom

"People who obey the Word of Wisdom are more receptive to spiritual truths" (Preach My Gospel, pg. 78).




Opening song: The Lord Gave Me a Temple
Prayer: Mom
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (Bible, New Testament)

Lesson:
What is the Word of Wisdom?
The Lord revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith a law of health called the Word of Wisdom. The health of our physical body affects the health of our spirit. The Word of Wisdom teaches us how we can care for our bodies so the Spirit of the Lord may be with us.

Blessings of Obedience
The Word of Wisdom is an example of modern-day revelation (see Doctrine and Covenants, Section 89). This law teaches us that we are to eat healthy foods and avoid harmful substances, including alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee. It was given to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, long before people were fully aware of the harmful effects of these and other drugs. Those who followed the prophet and were obedient to this law received blessings of physical health and spiritual protection.

Daniel Refuses the King's Meat and Wine
Tell the story of Daniel and his friends requesting different foods in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar (see Bible, Daniel 1). Explain that Daniel and his friends refused the king's meat and wine because they knew it would not be good for them (see artwork). What are the similarities between the Word of Wisdom and the law of health that Daniel followed? Discuss the need for additional warnings given to us now.

Testify that we are blessed physically and spiritually for our faith and obedience to God's commandments, including the Word of Wisdom.

Activity:
Carving Oranges
Cut a hole in the top of an orange and scoop out the fruit inside. Then carve a face into the orange peel to make a mini jack-o-lantern. Fill with fruit salad if desired (see recipe below).

Puppet Show
Make finger puppets from used gloves by cutting off the fingertips and dressing them with yarn hair, felt clothing and googly eyes. The puppets can represent Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, King Nebuchadnezzar, the King's servant, etc. Make a small stage out of a box and draw scenery pages to exchange on the back of it. Then use the puppets and stage to re-tell the story above, as well as other stories about these heroic men, e.g., Daniel in the Lion's Den (see Daniel 6) and Three Men in the Fiery Furnace (see Daniel 3).

Refreshment:
Fruit Salad
Mix 3-4 cups of fruit with 1/3 c. brown sugar and 1/2 c. sour cream. Suggested fruits include, strawberries, grapes, apples, pears, oranges and bananas. Serve in orange bowls carved to look like jack-o-lanterns.

Closing song: The Word of Wisdom
Prayer: Collin


P.S. This photo depicts my favorite part of the story. Here Collin is showing Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace with Jesus protecting them. When Collin did this it just made me smile. It looked so cute! And Collin ended the story like this, "When we keep the commandments we'll be protected just like Daniel and his friends." What a sweet little testimony from a little five-year-old boy. Love you Collin.


And Owen really loved the fruit salad...

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Collin
Activity= Mom
Treat= Dad

My Body Is a Temple

"Our bodies are temples, and the Spirit of the Lord should dwell there and shine through" (Elder David A. Bednar, Friend, June 2008).



Opening song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me
Prayer: Luke (age 3)
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (Bible, New Testament)

Lesson:
What is a temple?
Display photographs of a modern-day temple. (See "Questions and Answers about the Temple", Friend, October 2009.) Explain that a temple is literally a house of the Lord, a place where the Lord may come. It is a holy place where we can worship and commune with God.

How is our body like a temple?
Our physical body houses our spirit, and is a place where the Spirit of the Lord may come. Our body is also holy, meaning it is sacred and worthy of respect. Just like the temple, our bodies can be clean and beautiful and bright both inside and out. When we keep our mind and body pure, we qualify for great blessings including the companionship of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Read John 2:13-22 and show the accompanying artwork. Jesus worked very hard to keep the temple a clean and sacred place. After doing so, He compared His body to a temple and prophesied it would be destroyed and rebuilt (or resurrected) in three days.

Game
What must we do to keep our body clean like a temple? Play this game to help children learn to care for and respect their physical body. Divide the family into two groups and provide a Mr. Potato Head for each group (minus body parts). Take turns drawing slips of paper from a container that list a variety of items that are either good or bad for the body (see suggestions below). If the item is good for the body, add 1-2 parts to your potato. If the item is bad for the body, do NOT add any body parts. Continue until both teams complete a Mr. Potato Head body.

Challenge
Invite each family member to set health goals for the upcoming month.

Activity:
Family Aerobics
Take turns calling out an exercise the family can do together. Just try to keep it fast-paced, get your heart rate up and have fun! The exercises we did included running, jumping, galloping, skipping and marching across the room. We also showed the kids how to do sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, cartwheels and headstands. Weight lifting, skipping rope and yoga would also have been fun to try!

Refreshment:
Gingerbread cookies

Closing song: The Lord Gave Me a Temple
Prayer: Dad

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Treat= Collin

Personal Note

Midway into the family aerobics activity, Collin noticed 7 month old baby Owen hadn't had a turn to call out an exercise. I asked Collin what exercise he thought Owen would choose if he could talk. Collin thoughtfully responded, "Crawling!" So we all got down on our hands and knees and crawled across the room and back.

Owen smiled wide and you could tell he was happy we were all at his level. You could tell it made him feel loved. He didn't crawl with us, even though he could have. He just stared and smiled in amazement. And we all just smiled and laughed back at him. It was one of those moments where you could actually feel your family growing closer together. Very sweet.

Also, I'll officially record the health goals each of us set. We will add pom-poms to our jar each time we succeed, the reward being a family outing to the indoor pool. Dad's goal was to exercise more. Mom wants to go to bed earlier, specifically before 11:00 PM. (I really need more sleep.) Collin set a goal to wash his hands after he goes to the bathroom. Luke needed Mom and Dad to help him choose a goal. We went back and forth about whether it should be teeth brushing or watching less TV. Hmmm.....

By the way, the items we listed for our Mr. Potato Head game included fruits, vegetables, grains, milk products, meat/protein, tobacco/cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, caffeine/coffee, modest clothing, sleep, exercise, washing hands, baths, brushing teeth, tattoos, body piercings, extreme hair styles/faux-hawk, good music, good books/scriptures, violent movies, hugs, touching private parts of the body, etc.

This was a good time to introduce these health concepts to Collin (age 5). He just started kindergarten and is about to experience his first "Red Ribbon Week". I want him to learn to say no to drugs, but I felt it should be taught at home first. Also, Collin has become privy to the faux-hawk hairstyle and has repeatedly asked me to help him make his hair look "spiky". I don't really feel comfortable with my five-year-old son wearing a faux-hawk. I'm hoping these discussions about treating our body with respect will cure him of that. We'll see.