General Conference Activities for Little Ones

So what do you do to keep the little ones quiet during 8 hours of conference? Last year I posted a Conference Chex Board (see above). The basic premise is a paper with key words on it and the children have to listen for when the speaker says one of the words listed on the paper. When that word is said the child gets to put a piece of Chex Mix on their “board” and then eat it at the end of the talk and start again.

How I wonder…

I've sung "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to each of my children at bedtime and every time I sing it, my thoughts turn to the little baby quietly, or not so, resting in my arms. Last night as I was singing to my youngest, I put those thoughts to verse. The following is the result...

Twinkle, twinkle little star...

I remember when you were first placed in my arms, a little wiggly body so unaccustomed to this mortal sphere

How I wonder what you are…

Your little hands and unruly toes…who are you…who were you…

Up above the world so high…

High indeed. You seemed a kiss from heaven so holy was the feeling that descended in that room where you were born…

Like a diamond in the sky…

The radiance of love I felt for so new a being glowed as no earthly gem--however well cut--could. Only a gem from God could fill a soul with that much love…

Twinkle, twinkle little star…

Each month you grew so much. Your little discoveries and new abilities had me mesmerized…and that little twinkle that I see sparkling in your eyes grew to include more and more mischief…

How I wonder what you are…

But now those eyes are heavy with sleep. As I put you in your crib I wonder what discoveries the day will bring.  How grateful I am that you are in it and that I get to be a part of your life yet unwritten.

An Ordinary Angel

Each Sunday I walk into church loaded with bags: my purse, my scripture bag, the diaper bag and the activity bag. I look like a pack mule. Add to that three little kids who need to get from car to pew and every Sunday morning feels like I’m herding cats.

My littlest is of course everywhere. It’s never a direct line from car to pew, it’s always, “this way, no not here, this way, no not in the bathroom, it’s this way…” Of course with my hands full I can’t exactly pick her up so my verbal herding is the best I can do.

Bloggy Tales

An audience at full attention.

One of my favorite classes in college was on “Urban Legends, Myths and Folktales.” Yep, I got to study fairy tales in college. It was awesome!

The section on urban legends was fun. I learned that some of the most often told “true” stories growing up were no more than urban legends.  

Take for example the oft-repeated warning at Halloween to watch out for razor blades and poisoned candy. The case of poisoned Halloween candy that seems to have spurred the legend had to do with a dad who purposely poisoned his child’s candy. See here for more details:  http://www.snopes.com/horrors/poison/halloween.asp

Global What'sit?

-->

I love this incredible earth and the life on it, and I’ve so enjoyed watching Frozen Planet. Of course the show has an environmental agenda, which doesn’t bother me. I think we all need to be more aware of our impact on the world around us, not to a neurotic level but certainly to a level where we aren’t in denial about humanity's impact on the world.

Global warming is a touchy subject in some camps, which I frankly don’t understand. The bottom line is human beings affect the planet for good or ill, so why dither over whose right and just buckle down together, differences aside, and work on reducing the negative effects on our environment for the betterment of us all.

A Little Pick Me Up

Some days I just need a reminder that life really is quite beautiful and small irritations and foibles need not get me down. Here are three videos that inspire, uplift and cheer my heart every time I see them.

So just in case there's anyone else out there who also needs a pick-me-up...

Thieving Penguin!

I was able to get most of Frozen Planet's first installment this week and it was incredible! My favorite were the Adelie Penguins and this particular segment. Hmm, if I were a female penguin, I wonder which one I'd choose :). Enjoy. Oh yes, they have a live penguin cam here: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/frozen-planet/penguin-cam/

A Gluten-free Way to Enjoy "Girl Scout Cookies"