Sunday Forts

We try to keep the Sabbath Day holy and one way we do this is by not turning on the TV, computer or even the video games for most of the day. So our kids have to find other things to do. It is usually the best day of the week to see them interacting happily.

They put train tracks together, play games, and most Sundays they build forts. Here are some pictures of today's forts. Somedays they all work on one but today they split up and built a few. I remember building forts growing up with my brothers and sisters too.

We do spend other quality time together on Sundays. Big Breakfast is fun. Today, Daddy made pancakes. He doesn't just make them simple, He goes all out and they are full of surprises. Today we had lots of variety. We had chocolate chip, blue chocolate chip, butterscotch chip, banana, strawberry, and apple pancakes to choose from.

We also have some "Sweet Hour" time on Sundays where we focus on gospel topics. I would like to say it lasts an hour but usually not..hopefully it will grow as our kids do. Sometimes during this sweet hour we read The Friend magazine together and discuss things. Right now we are learning the Articles of Faith. Sometimes we have Family Home Evening on Sunday mornings since Dad works nights and the 2 nights he is home can get kind of busy.

It is nice to family time on Sundays! If only we could all go to church together every week. With Toby working Sundays that does not happen. I can't wait until we have church in the morning again and not at 1:30 in the afternoon. I hope those building our new chapel will hurry up!

PS...why will my paragraphs not have spaces between them??

Picture decisions

We took a family picture over Easter weekend and now I am deciding which is best. Do you want to help? I want to update the big 16x20 pic on our wall. We took close to 50 shots and I have narrowed it down to my two favorites.

The first has a great crop and background but the faces are not quite as nice as in the second one. Also in the picture they kids are all hiding the candy they just got. They had to sit still for a few more pictures before they could eat it.

The second one has better smiles and I like the faces better but I cannot crop it as I would like. It cuts rather close to Carissa and Steven and I cannot zoom out.

Which would you choose? The first or the second?

I'm sorry Mr Frogs

Dear Mr Frogs,

I am so sorry that my boys have fallen in love with you. You thought the black water meter box would make a lovely little home but unfortunately you were discovered. And little boys, that are learning to be gentle are learning on you!

Those little squeezes in their hands are really hugs. He doesn't mean to throw you or drop you so much, but my sons are merely curious and do not understand how what they do can harm you. I am trying to talk to them, to teach them. I'm sure you have heard me begging my child to be soft and kind to you. And every evening when we are done playing I do have them return you to your home. I do not let them keep you in a bucket in the back yard. Yes you have tried to move to a new home, but every black box is checked now. They have found you or your cousin every night.

I'm sorry you have to be a little abused by little boys who are learning to be boys. But thank you for enriching their lives and bringing them a little joy. They will yet learn how to treat kindly all of God's creatures.

Love,

A mom to 5 kids, including 3 boys who are learning to love softly!