Lots of Learning

I am so excited to write this post.  When I returned home to Spokane, WA at Thanksgiving I discovered that my nephew was learning to memorize the Articles of Faith.  I was astounded at how my little 6 yr old nephew could learn something that seemed so difficult to me.


So I decided if my sister could do it with her kid, then I could do it with mine.  So along with school, we began to memorize the AoF.  I then heard a talk by one of the general authorities that specifically mentioned the memorization of scriptures and other gospel materials.  With both of those experiences I became more determined to be successful.


Well, the first thing I did was create a poster with Evie and Joe's names, and then both Chris and mine.  Then along the side are the numbers for each Article.  Finally we just began to memorize them with the fun moments along the way.  Once the kids had memorized the first 1-6 Articles, they were rewarded with their favorite thing.  


This favorite thing could be anything they wanted: a book, treat, event, etc.  So Evie was the first to meet the requirement for this first reward.  Then a bit later Joe got his reward.  What did they pick?  An ice cream date w/ Mommy!  I was so surprised.  I thought for sure that they would want to go out with daddy if they chose to go out at all.  

isn't she so cute?!

my beautiful oldest little girl!  I'm so proud!

So Evie chose to go out for ice cream and we went to mommy's favorite place: Baskin Robins!  I love this place and Evie really wanted to see all 31 kinds.  As you can see we had so much fun.  I told her I was really surprised that she wanted to go out with me.  I asked her why since she sees me all the time. Then she looked me right in the eye with that cute little grin of hers and said the best thing: "but mom I never get to see you all by myself."  I realized that she feels the same way I do.  I want to spend time with each kid and its hard with so many little ones who are so needing me.  It was probably more fun for me to go on this date than it was for her, but I am so glad she wanted to be with me.  


Who would've thought I would have such a fantastic self-esteem moment because I had a great daughter?  Thanks Evelynn - I love you too!


Then a bit later, not because he completed his so much later, but because the timing was always bad.  We finally got to do Joe's favorite thing.  Guess what?  He picked the same thing!  I don't know if it had anything to do with being together, the two of us, or the fact that it was what his big sister chose to do.  I honestly didn't care.  The opportunity to be with my boy all by myself was so great!

 Joe's big thing was that whatever he got had to have "a cherry up the top"

 my cute "big" boy

We went to the store to grab something for daddy that night after our "date."  But the soda daddy wanted was way too far and high for me to get it.  So I helped Joe reach it.  He was my hero for that night.  See?

ta-ta-ta-da - HeMan with the power of Grayskull!

Aren't my kids great?  We are continuing to work on our Articles of Faith.  We are currently on #11 and working fast toward our ultimate reward - a trip to Chuck E. Cheese!  They are so excited and so is mom and dad!  Go EVE and JOE.