MORE Nursery Ideas

I'm still loving Nursery!  (My daughter is a little troublemaker sometimes but I still enjoy watching these toddlers learn that Jesus loves them.)  I feel the kids get enough silly songs from TV, preschool, etc. so we're going to try and focus on "church-approved" songs to get them ready for Primary.  I also thought it would be nice to have a back-up plan in case our music teacher doesn't show up.  Life happens and it's always nice to be prepared, right? 

Nursery Singing Time Ideas

Set out Foam Squares (everyone gets the same color so they don’t fight over a color to sit on)

Sing “Here We Are Together” (261) to start and help kids learn each other’s names.

If it’s someone’s birthday that week sing the “Happy, Happy Birthday” (284a) song.

Next is a seasonal song: “Rain is Falling All Around” (271b).  Can change it depending on the season - sun is shining, wind is blowing, leaves are falling, snow is falling.

“I Love to See the Temple” (95). Hold pictures of temples and/or use hand actions.

“Give Said the Little Stream” (236) and have them twirl blue ribbon taped to jumbo craft sticks.

“Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (60) and hold Sunbeam paper plates to their faces.

“Popcorn Popping” (242) and use hand actions.

“If you’re happy (266).  With bells – you can change it to clap your hands, spin around, blink your eyes.

“Do as I’m doing” (276) with bells bicycle your hands, sway back and forth, tap the floor & clap

“Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” (275a) using hand actions

“Jesus Said Love Everyone” (61) hold fleece hearts and sing softly

“I Hope They Call Me on a Mission” (169) Clip missionary name tags to their clothes with clothespins

I made a 4x6 file in photoshop (there are 2 tags on each print) then I printed them at Costco & used packing tape to laminate them.

“Follow the Prophet” (110) sing just the chorus and march around the room with Monson’s picture

“I Am like a Star” (163) hold star-on-a-stick
 
“I Wiggle” (271) using hand actions

“I Am a Child of God” (301) Have them hold a picture of Jesus with the Children

Have them turn in their colored floor squares and then blow bubbles till the parents come get them.

Here are 4 flashcards you can copy to Word.  Be sure to use narrow margins.  Then print and cut.  That's 16 songs to choose from.  :)

 

 

Family Pictures

Back in July, my brother-in-law and his wife took some family pictures for us.  We had a free photo pass to Thanksgiving Point so we headed there and the kids had a blast zooming around in the golf cart after hours.  Too bad they turned off their huge, man-made waterfall before we could get pictures in front of it.  Oh well, I think we got some good ones.  I'm so thankful for these healthy, happy kids.  We are truly blessed beyond measure.

First Day of School Pictures

Early morning seminary for my 9th grader - I was too tired to take it at 6am so this was when he came home

 7th grader - nobody teases this tall guy

 5th grader who loves to make and take her lunch

Kindergarten - we almost missed the bus because I was too busy trying to get the perfect picture.  It's tradition for us to follow them to school and take a picture with Dad.

 

 

He had a wonderful first day and was so excited to ride the bus

  

 

One more to go (it goes by too fast doesn't it?)

Running, running, running

I love how her left arm swings but the right doesn't.  Thank heavens for squeaky shoes, I haven't lost her yet.

First Birthday!

Today's extra special because you turn ONE!

You'll eat cake and ice cream and have lots of fun.

It seems like yesterday you were brand new.

And now, there are so many things you can do.

You'll light your first candle and we'll make a big fuss

To be sure that you know you're precious to us.

Today's extra special because YOU turn one!

(Happy Birthday Baby! I love you whole bunches!)

October Recap

Baby K - 6 months old

E and her friends at the Fall Festival

Our Jack-o-Lanterns

Oh, and here's a short video of N saying his part for the Primary Program:

May - Blessing Day

I meant to post this sooner then forgot - that seems to be happening a lot lately. Her blessing took place Memorial Weekend. We were fortunate to have so many of our family come. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun celebrating.

Baby K's Slide Show!

I know, I know

She's a month old and I haven't posted any new pictures of her. Don't worry, I've been taking some and having some taken as well. She just loves to be held and I just love having a baby in our house again. It's like stealing a glimpse of heaven when I look at her tiny face.

Babies truly are miracles.

Honestly I don't know how I would have survived this past month without the help of wonderful friends, awesome neighbors and my dear family. I feel like the Little Caesar's ad, "Thank you, thank you!"

This weekend is not only Memorial Weekend - it will also be a Memorable Weekend for us. Little K is getting blessed. :) Check back soon and I'll have pix of that. In the meantime, here's my favorite picture I took last week. When she nurses, she almost always has her little pinky up. She KNOWS she's a princess.

"This is my good side Mommy"

She's here!

2 days old, finally home!

Our new baby girl arrived earlier than planned. I've always had to be induced with all my other children so when I woke up at 1:3oam on Friday and didn't feel well I got up to walk around and noticed I was having regular contractions. "Am I really in labor?" I thought. After an hour they were still 3-4 minutes apart and getting stronger each time so I called my doctor and he said to go in and get checked at the hospital. I honestly thought they would check me, send me home with a pill and just tell me it was false labor. As we got there the contractions got harder though and they said I was at a 5. Guess we're having a baby! I had all these plans that day to deep clean my house before my parents came, get a pedicure, and 10 other things on my to-do list before she came. We checked in at 2:45am and she arrived at 4:38am after a few pushes. No epidural. 6 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long, she is definitely the tiniest baby I've ever had. It took us 2 days to name her because our list of names was long and we just couldn't decide. After awhile though I thought of a completely new name and I called Troy and he said, "Yeah, I thought of that one too this morning. I like it!" He brought the kids over later and asked how they felt about it and I quickly wrote it down on the birth papers before I could change my mind again. We had a few minor concerns with her so we had to stay 48 hours in the hospital.

During that time I thought how truly blessed I am to be a co-creator with God... How amazing pregnancy and the whole birth process is... How something so little and helpless can make your heart melt and how you can fall in love unconditionally almost immediately. It's impossible to not not believe in God when you see a newborn baby - with perfectly created bodies. Today I wish to express to the world how thankful I am to my Heavenly Father for this miraculous gift!

~Karen