In an effort to bolster a sense of tranquility on Sunday mornings, we have a quasi-custom of doing"stations;" meaning simply that we set up four different activities and the kids rotate separately through each activity every 10 minutes. They do everything from thank you notes, journals, and emailing cousins to spending one-on-one time with Sean and/or myself. We got the idea from a Friend magazine article; it's a great quiet time alternative for our active crew.
This past Sunday morning I took the opportunity to sit down for 10 minutes with each of my kids individually and read out of a great book I got them for Christmas entitled, "Why? Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons for Living Gospel Standards." It's a great book for kids over the age of about eight; I highly recommend it.
Anyway, Tucker was interested in the chapter title, "Why is it so important that I gain an education?" In this particular chapter, the authors present quite a bit of secular data regarding the topic and also include some scriptural perspective. One of the scriptures included was the following, which refers to the many different fields of study in which it is suggested we educated ourselves. As we read the scripture, I asked Tucker what he thought each particular phrase referred to in regard to learning. His answers are in italics.
D&C 88:79
Of things both in heaven and in the earth... Astron-onomy and geography
and under the earth... dirt and stuff
things which have been... old stuff and dead people
things which are...the news
things which must shortly come to pass...guessing future stuff that you don't really know because it hasn't happened yet
things which are at home...chores and stuff mom makes you do
things which are abroad...huh?
the wars and the perplexities of the nations...another huh?
and the judgments which are on the land...judges and stuff the police make you do
and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms...geography. Hey, they already did that one.
I love to hear what's going on upstairs in Tucker's head; he always makes me smile. Especially when he doesn't mean to.
Tanner's Happy Food of the Month: Taco Bell's 89 cent five-layer burrito with a hidden layer of nacho cheese sauce. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is notably a day replete with random acts of kindness, so I asked Tanner if he would like to dine at Taco Bell for lunch (my random act of kindness: check!) He gave me his gleeful squeal that is reserved for only the best of news. I wish I had a picture of him eating his three beloved burritos. His shirt now sports telltale signs of the feast. Blasted hot sauce is impossible to get out of clothes.
Katelyn is a great little baker. I always know when she's missed me, because she often bakes me my very favorite Country Apple Fall Cake. It's divine and delish. I can tell by the cinammon-sweet smell that thumps me in the nose as I walk in the door after being out for a couple of hours that she's missed me. She'd never admit it in words; no way. But the cake says it all!
Kalli is perfecting her shifty ways. Where there's a sweet and innocent smile, there's also often an ulterior motive lurking in the wings of her ever-active mind. Case in point. Last week I asked her what her favorite recess activity was.
"Wall ball, for sure," she replied.
"Yeah? You any good?" I asked heedlessly.
"Sure. I always win. Natalie is the only other girl whose any good. And all I have to say is, 'Hey Natalie, I sure like when you wear your hair down.' She then takes out her ponytail holder and the wind blows her hair in her face so she can't see and I win the game."
Definitely her father's child. :)
5 comments:
So great. I love the idea of stations with one on one time. Still haven't gotten the Friend here, it has been on my list to do for a year now. And I love hearing about Kalli -- sounds like my daughter. So funny. Miss you.
That is hilarious about Kalli. I also like the station idea. It's probably somewhere in the enormous stack of Friend magazines I'm going to read to my children someday. You read the Friend for me and pass on the good ideas OK?
I got on your blog and realized as I kept scrolling down you had done some major updates. Great. I love to get all the "goings on" in your home from the "Mara" perspective. It is always entertaining.
Such great grandchildren!
Ohhhh...... recovering from the laughter stomach ache. In between the laughter, though, I enjoyed the tender moment about Katelyn's cakes :-) Sweet girl!
I liked the idea about Sunday stations too! That's awesome that you implemented it.
You are such a great mommy!!!
Hmmmmm, I wonder where Kali gets that whitty out-of-the-box thinking? :):)
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