Summer Singing Time

Summer is coming to a heartbreaking end and the school year is just around the corner.  We've had sooooooo much fun this summer, especially welcoming Little Sissy to the family.

Now that I'm trying to get back into the swing of singing time 

 and bringing a new baby to church in general

 SIDE NOTE : 

Don't wear a white skirt with a newborn because they're destined to poo all over you

... I wanted to start things out super simple.  

I was kind of going for a game similar to "Ten Fingers" to highlight all of the fun activities the kids did over the summer.  

Everyone starts out with five beach ball sticks in their hand.  I'll have the kids take turns coming up and drawing a slip of paper with a summer activity.  If someone draws "went to the beach" all of the children who went to the beach this summer lose one of their beach balls.  It's nice because if they lose the game they can't get too upset because they are winning at life !

It's easy.  It's mind numbing.  It technically doesn't have anything to do with singing, but it can keep the kids entertained between songs.  

Most of the activity ideas came from my Summer Bucket List post from last year... Here's some slips of paper that can be printed and cut out or you can totally come up with your own ideas!

After cutting out the beach balls, I just hot glued them to the back of some skewer sticks and BOOM! You've got yourself a primary activity.

Click HERE to download the PDF printable

Life as a Family of Four

World, meet Skylee, the newest member of our family.  The transition going from one child to two has been quite an adventure.  It still feels a little surreal, but it's becoming more and more natural as the days go by.  I feel a new freshness and energy for life (well, as energetic as you can be recovering from childbirth) and I am so excited for this new chapter.

Here's some happy memories of our first week and a half as a family of four!

July 9th: Let's head to the hospital and get this baby outta here!

"A hairnet?!  Really though?" - Mitchell

First picture of Mommy and Sissy

The hospital stay

I have a cool roommate....

Trekker's first time meeting Sister.  He was so shy when he first walked in the room.  But after receiving a "gift" from her with Lightning McQueen car toys, he totally approved.

For those who don't know the story behind this... This cow slept with me in bed every single night from seven years old to college.

Sweetest Daddy in the world

Summer babies are the best.  I love how they don't have to wear a billion layers to keep warm like a winter baby.

Having my mom help out this week has been AMAZING.  

To all the grandmas out there: You are seriously the best!

Love this guy

Can't get over this kid's smile!

Trekker likes to crawl into Skylee's bed with her now and play.  It just tugs at my heartstrings.

So grateful for my blessings!  I love this family so much.  Here's to more memories and adventures!

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Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is coming up SUPER soon!  And the primary was put in charge of handouts to pass out after sacrament meeting for all the fathers/father-figures.

We are keeping it simple.  Hershey's kisses attached to this Father's Day print-out.  So grateful for the Supermen in my life: My dad, husband, father-in-law, grandparents, uncles, bishops, teachers, friends... The list is endless!

Find the free printable HERE.  

To go along with the "kisses" theme, the primary kids are singing DADDY'S HOMECOMING for our special music number.  We're asking all the kids to wear their dads' ties to church to show off when they go up to sing.  Luckily, Mitch has a million dress ties so we'll be sure and have back ups for kids without access to any.

At the end of the song when everyone sings "A GREAT BIG KISS" the kids will have a little laminated lips picture hiding in their palms.  They can blow kisses out to show the congregation.

  

I've uploaded a bunch of different colors to Dropbox for easy printing.  Enjoy your kisses.  And spoil your fathers this upcoming special day!

Links:

Kisses (Red)

Kisses (Gray)

Kisses (Blue)

Kisses (Yellow)

Kisses (Green)

Hiking Trail Singing Time

I don't know if it's the primary songs we've been focusing on or the PERFECT spring weather we've started having this week, but I have fallen in love with the outdoors lately and have just been basking in its breathtaking beauty.  It seemed only right to incorporate this amazing feeling into my next singing time lesson.  

I found a huge roll of brown paper in our garage today and used it to draw out a hiking trail map.  It definitely brought me back to my son's Dora the Explorer television days.  On the trail I marked different unique locations that match up with one of our primary songs we're working on.  

Blossom Meadow - I Often Go Walking

Singing Bird Forest - My Heavenly Father Loves Me (first verse)

Creature Summit - All Creatures of our God and King

Butterfly Wings Pass - My Heavenly Father Loves Me (second verse)

End of the Rainbow - When I am Baptized

I plan to stick it to the chalkboard and throw a magnet on the back of our little Hiker Lego.  That way he can move across the map board as we practice each song.

The great thing about this activity is that you can totally customize your map to the songs YOUR PRIMARY is currently working on.  I just lucked out that all our songs right now have to do with nature.  Fist bumps for matching themes!

Also, I have just the thing if you're looking for an awesome, unique arrangement of My Heavenly Father Loves Me.  This is the reason we're also learning All Creatures of our God and King this month.  Hop over to my mom's blog for the free sheet music HERE.  It has a cello solo option and everything.  I can't wait to teach it to the kids!

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Paint A Bright Spot On Your Soul

For my Mother-in-law's Relief Society lesson this month she asked if I could help design the handouts.  I wish I could do this all day.  I had so much fun making these.  Here was the quote she chose to use.

During President Monson's memorial service his daughter spoke of the love he showed to everyone around him:

We do not need to be the President of the Church to notice another’s need and “paint a bright spot on our souls.” My dad acted upon his frequent feeling, “That would be a kind thing to do,” only to find it was the answer to another’s prayer. By following the promptings of the Spirit, our simple acts of service can also be answers to prayers, and we can carry on this legacy by serving others.

Feel free to steal this handout HERE.