This weekend was so good. I really enjoy listening to General Conference and I love when the Ensign comes out and I can reread them and get whatever inspiration I was unable to get while actually watching it. I will admit that my mental attention span while sitting and listening to things is that of a 5-year-old. That is why I love to read the Ensign talks later and can soak their words in on my schedule. There were lots of things I loved this time, but I especially loved that all of my kids - even Miles - sat through the first session on Saturday. Kamri (my 5-year-old) got a bit antsy during the second one but right back in her seat for Sunday and Sara and Evan sat and listened for all of it. Sara was doign her packet and taking notes, Evan was working on his packet the whole time, Kamri got her packet done and was just finding random things to occupy her time and Miles wanted us to play games with him the whole time. But it was quiet and I love the spirit that is in our home while it is on.
This year I did a couple new things to keep them listening...
I did the usual packets with different things for them to color and fill out.
But I also got pictures of all the apostles and taped them to a board. When one of them got up to speak the kids took turns drawing and coloring the kind of tie they were wearing and taping it on the picture. This way we were able to keep track of who hadn't spoken yet and they recognized when it was an apostle speaking.
We noticed a couple things doing this: 1) there are a lot of red ties out there (black/gray coming in a close second ) and 2) President Uchtdorf changed his tie between Saturday morning and afternoon sessions - I wonder if he spilled something during lunch :).
And for FHE the week before, we went through our old Ensigns and Friends and cut out pictures that we thought represented different gospel topics. They also cut out shapes that were specifically theirs and when they heard that topic or word mentioned they could tape one of their pieces on. Even Miles got in on this and wanted to tape his pieces on. I don't think he knew what was going on, but it was fun to see him involved already.
And for breakfast we had chocolate-polka dotted tie pancakes. (I always refuse to let them have chocolate chips in their pancakes, so they were super surprised when I brought them out and did it on my own accord.)
It really was a great weekend.
