I love to cook, sew, take pictures, have dance parties in my living room, eat, sing loudly to songs I don't know, decorate, throw parties, make messes, host playgroup, bike, kiss my husband, eat, play the piano, visit new places and scrub my bathroom floors with a toothbrush while my kids whine and complain.... anything but laundry. This here blog is dedicated to everything a mom can do, except (heaven forbid) that basket of clothes that needs folding.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Activity Day Camp 2011: Fly... the Sky is the Limit!


Itinerary 

9:30 Early Check-In begins
    Retrieve Passports, Baggage Claim (scripture totes), fill out luggage tags (a highlight of the day was Brother Riddle's security station. The girls then filled out their passports- which was my favorite project to create- picked up their scripture totes, made a luggage tag, grabbed pretzels/water and then played games until we kicked off)

10-10:20  Board Flight

10:20 Prepare to take off! (Celestial Heir-ways flight 747)
    Opening Prayer
    Flight instruction- Flight Attendant Brady (she did such a fantastic job! the girls were in stitches when she did a dance showing the girls all the exits. She tried to detect a threat of bad attitude and needed the girls help to get off the ground... so they stretched their wings left and right and even in the back).
    Take-Off Devotional- “Your Identification” Captain Goettig   
    Musical Number by Becky and Kami Garcia
    In-flight movie (President Uchtdorf's "Your True Identity") / pretzels and juice

(you are now free to move about the cabin)

the next couple of hours were filled with 4 workshops (where each girl received a stamp in her passport), a slide show and lunch on the landing strip.

Workshops:

Runway- all about modesty and a fashion show with custom made outfits

United we Fly- make necklaces where each bead stands for a quality of the girls and learn about our differences.

Flight Crew- Minute to Win It games to take home to show families

Carry on through Turbulence- Lesson with FHE lesson to take home

1:50-2:00pm Landing Devotional- “Flying First Class to the your Final Destination.” Me
    All Sing  “I am a Child of God” in sign language
   Closing Prayer

(This really was a sweet, wonderful day for me to see these beautiful girls, all in matching shirts, learning about the gospel and making friends. Every time I stood to talk, I cried. The spirit was so strong... I felt the spirit surround me all day long and my testimony was really strengthened. I have learned that to serve is to love. I have never worked so hard on something- and I have never felt so much love for "strangers" like I did... 300 plus of them.  The ladies I serve with now seem long time friends. I am so grateful for their hard work so that this day could come together. They really looked out for me. I am so grateful for Brandon and the kids support they gave as I ran around like a crazy lady, going to meetings, and preparing for the day. For all the crazy events that seemed to come up the week before camp... the most important thing to remember is how Heavenly Father blessed us. How all the problems worked out so easily, it's as if they were the better option. I am so grateful for this sweet calling and so grateful for this chance to serve and love the girls in my Stake.)




 

until next year...

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Thank You


 (click on image to see larger) 

I am always looking for a way to give a simple thank you- that doesn't break the bank. This could be great as a teacher gift, a visiting teaching "treat," or, in my case, a thank you for the many people who helped so much with day camp.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

JJ


This is one happy baby. My friend (girl-I-visit-taught-until-yesterday-and-it-makes-me-want-to-cry-that-we're-split-up) is the mom to this darling, happy baby. And I am so happy they live a hop and a skip away from me.

Party Decor

A few friends have asked lately for help with party decor ideas- so I thought I'd share a few quick tips to whip up some party/shower/birthday decorations:

1. I almost always use a roll of wrapping paper as a table runner. Such a cheap simple way to add color to any event.

2. Use pictures on cork/magnet boards, hanging clips, in frames, giant clothespins, etc. Quotes and invitations are other items to display.

3. I love to use memorabilia, especially for my kids parties: their baby shoes, books from our collections that match the color scheme, lego creations, fake flowers Dylan delivered the day Ellie was born, etc.

4. Use food and favors on platters and cake plates to decorate.

5. Around my kids birthdays, I like to make the mantle (or other little spots in our home), more about them. It may have their pictures or favorite toys or the cards they have received in the mail.

6. Lose sleep over tiny details that you may only notice :) Sure makes life fun!








Monday, February 14, 2011