School Blessings and the Popcorn Dance

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . waking up to a delightfully cool, overcast morning for the first time in weeks.

. . . someone writing me a kind note.

. . . my husband giving the big kids priesthood blessings as they begin their new school year.

And another thing . . .

. . . it's an interesting challenge to adapt family home evening.  It was my turn to teach, so I used a picture to teach a simple principle, asking Joy and Daniel appropriate questions for their ages while Phillip occasionally chimed in when he wasn't busy tossing Anna a ball to keep her occupied.

For our activity we made microwave caramel corn (Phillip's favorite activity).  Daniel listened for the popcorn to start popping while Joy helped Phillip measure the caramel ingredients, then we all (even Anna, with toddler gusto) took turns shaking the paper bags we cooked it all in.  And of course, we all helped eat the end result.  Yum.

You never know what you're going to get with our family home evenings.  Joy's lessons tend to involve acting things out.  The kids often choose a walk to Menchie's when it's their turn to plan the activity.  Some home evenings go smoothly, but others seem to derail before they get out of the station.  Like Elder Bednar's family, our home evenings may not always be edifying but at the very least we're consistent, and I think our family will be better and closer for it.