2nd Annual "Heart Attack"

We had our "Heart Attack" Family Home Evening that we started last year. Maddy especially loves this and I love how festive it makes our house look. Plus, I think whether they admit it or not, the boys love it, too. It's amazing how putting in a little thought and effort for someone warms your heart to that person. Josh wasn't with us this year either (although we included him in our love notes), but I just loved watching the effort that Jake and Maddy put into this - both thinking of thoughtful things to write and also carefully decorating each heart. I learned that Jake is very creative and quite the artist! It definitely helped my heart and made our home a little happier. I'm so thankful for them and the spirit they bring to our home.

"Peeping" Toms

We have "Peeping" Toms!

In the true spirit of Easter and in an effort to teach my children the joy of service, I resorted to a bit of bribery. My kids love the Easter candy Peeps. So after our Resurrection Easter Egg Hunt for Family Home Evening, I announced that there would be "Peeping Toms" left around the house whenever I saw them doing an act of kindness or service. It was fun to see the kids get into this. Jake even offered to feed Maddy, literally feed her with a fork, to earn a Peep. Although he was joking, it was fun to watch them as they thought of different ways they could offer service to each other and our family.

I hope that in the wonderful season of spring and hope, that we can all look at ways to serve those around us and to truly live more like Him.

Go for the Gold

In honor of the 2010 Winter Games, we thought it would be fun to have an Olympic-themed Family Home Evening. After learning about doing our best, we held several winter events.

As hard as it is to see, this is Maddy racing up the stairs to begin the Obstacle course. (Okay, I know that is not a winter sport but we improvised.)

For this part of the course, they were required to do different "stunts" on their bed.

Jumping jacks in the hall were yet another part of the course. Mom was getting tired just following them around with the camera. Dad was in charge of the stop watch.


They had to finish the obstacle course with a scripture chase on "Faith." They both did awesome and had so much fun that they each wanted to try it twice. Interestingly, they both increased their times and improved their score, achieving their "personal best."

Other events included races, in which we had to "handicap" Jake so that we wouldn't have too much of an advantage. It also included the bobsled but that didn't go too well considering we have NO snow right now. Oh well, we tried. We also hope to go "figure" skating this weekend since neither Jake nor Maddy have ever been. Jake thinks it looks easy so that should be a fun event to video.

Although Family Night never goes as well as I envision in my mind, I think the kids had fun and it's one they will remember for a long time. Hey, at least we were together as a family, right?