Bridger's Ark

I've been working on some FHE lesson packets to help our family get on track with FHE.  We've always been pretty good at having it, but I feel like we are to the point where we need to have it a little more organized and pre-planned rather than just pulling out the nursery manual and picking a lesson last minute and 'winging it'.  Scott and I both need to do a little more preparation for ourselves even if Bridger isn't ready to sit while we read from the scriptures or have a doctrinal discussion.

My goal with the packets is to create basic outlines with scripture references, talks or material that can be adapted for any age group.  Each packet includes a list of activities--some targeted toward older ages and others toward younger kids--so that we can use them as our family grows and matures.  My hope is that by the time our kids are 8 they will be able to pull out a packet and have all of the information they need to prepare a family home evening lesson (except for maybe making the treat). I hope that when we have teenagers they will look up the references, read them and come up with their own insights.

Anyway, last night was our first time trying out one of the packets and it was awesome!  We talked about Noah's Ark and after talking about the basic story we talked about how important it is for our family to listen to the prophet.  For the activity, I had gathered all of the stuffed animals (big and small) and B's plastic toy animals and put them around our family room before we started.  Scott 'built' an ark with a large cardboard box and we gave Bridger the job of gathering all of the animals and putting them in the ark before the flood. (Which he did with much enthusiasm!)  We also had to get our family in the ark, of course!  So there we were in our living room with about 25 animals and the 3 of us in a cardboard box.  Of course, we had to make it 'rain' with a spray bottle which was arguably the best part for Bridger.  The photographer in me had to take a picture of Bridger and Scott in the ark with the animals because we were all laughing. (Particularly when dad fell over and broke the ark!)  It was a fun night with a lot of laughs and, of course, animal crackers for dessert.

Imagine me crammed in there, too.  It was a tight squeeze. :)

Oh, and after the closing prayer, I think we loaded and unloaded the ark about 15 times--and don't forget the rain!  We even FaceTimed in Gramma and Grampa so Bridger could teach them about Noah and the Ark.