Interactive FHE

I'm sure there would be others who would agree with me that having FHE with small children can be an interesting experience. Their attention spans are low, they get distracted easily, and other issues come up. Recently we've started having what I call "interactive FHE." I've noticed that if we involve Will in the lesson as much as possible, he's a little more likely to pay better attention. Here are two of our recent attempts.

THE ARMOR OF GOD


Using two big paper bags, some packing tape, a milk carton cut in half, and aluminum foil, I was able to turn Will into a soldier.

LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST

I'm sure we've all done this at one point or another. We blindfolded Will, Bill and Kayla made a bunch of noise, and I was a few feet away speaking quietly trying to get Will to come over to me. It was pretty funny by the end, but Will did a great job.

I have yet to come up with more lessons like that, so if anyone has ideas that have worked for them, I'd love suggestions.

Making sense of the world

I have always been a people watcher. I enjoy looking around at other people and watching how they interact or communicate, seeing what quirks they have, etc. Being a mom allows me to be a people watcher 24/7. I love seeing Will and Kayla grow and learn and get to know the world around them. Lately Kayla has discovered connections. She is constantly pointing to things in books, then either pointing to the real thing or going to get it. Her favorite things to point to or retrieve are clocks, dolls, balls, dogs, and bears. It's been really neat to see things click in her head and how much she's growing and learning.

Our life through pictures

We've done a lot of things over the past couple of months, and I finally have the pictures to prove it. So bear with me through this picture-heavy post.

FATHERS AND SONS CAMPOUT

Once again Will and Daddy got to bond together with other fathers and sons in our stake (and Kayla and Mommy got to enjoy some quiet girl time). The weather wasn't ideal, but they seemed to have a good time anyway.



Such a helpful boy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Unfortunately this is the only picture we have from my birthday. We had a combined birthday party for me and Bill with a bunch of our friends. We had a BBQ, endured the sweltering heat, and had a great time.



NAUVOO

We decided at the last minute to go to Nauvoo for the pageant. We had done it a couple of years ago when it was just Will, and decided Kayla might be old enough to take this time. We were smart enough to borrow Bobby and Susan's tent, which made camping after the pageant a little more comfortable (but only barely - Nauvoo is HOT at night!) We loved the pageant, and enjoyed walking around Nauvoo the next day. Bill took the kids to a play ground near our campsite and let them get their wiggles out before the long ride home.












SOCCER
We decided to sign Will up for soccer this summer to help him (and us) get out of the house and doing something active. It's been so much fun to watch him play and learn new skills. We have a lot of respect for the coaches who are so patient and understanding with all the kids running around.


His "official" pose




I love how serious he looks in this shot. Total concentration.




SILLY SHOTS

Ever since we got our new digital camera (Thanks again Karen and Jake!) the kids love when we take pictures of them.



So that's a little update on our family. Beyond that, Bill has been hard at work either on campus or with his various church responsibilities. I have been at home with Will and Kayla trying to keep our lives running smoothly. It's been a great summer so far, and we look forward to what the future brings.