Sunday, July 25, 2010

churchy stuff

Charlotte gave her first talk in Primary today!

Here's a little background for those not familiar with our church meetings... Sunday services run about 3 hours. The first hour everyone is together in the chapel for the Sacrament meeting. Then the kids go to Primary, and then their Sunday School classes by age (12-18 year olds go to Young Men's/Young Women's.) The adults also go to a class called Gospel Doctrine, and then to either Priesthood (Men) or Relief Society (Women.) Toby goes to a Nursery for the last 2 hour block and has snacks, music and playtime, plus a mini-lesson.


This morning before church.

So, Charlotte was asked to prepare a talk for Primary. Obviously, I helped (a lot,) but the idea was hers. Here's what we said (You can probably figure out some of the Charlotte bits):

This is Polar Bear. He is Charlotte's favorite friend. We take him with us when we travel. He helps her feel safe and comfy. His favorite food is vanilla soup. We can be baptized just like Jesus was. And then we can have the Holy Ghost with us, no matter where we travel. He can also help us to feel safe and comforted. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I appreciate that kids are asked, even from 3 years old, to help teach one another gospel principles. I am really impressed when Charlotte shows me she has her own understanding of questions that I sometimes struggle with as an adult. We have also been reading Scripture Stories together for about a month now as a family and we have put Charlotte in charge of reminding us to do that each day. She has really surprised me with her enthusiasm for this responsibility. (I know the ice cream reward that comes once a week when we do it doesn't hurt!) Anyway, I am just happy to see her asking good questions and really trying to understand the answers we give. It's great to have these conversations with her already!


Bonus Toby shot.

We took the front off the crib, so Toby is now able to get in and out without climbing over the top. One night we found he had climbed out of bed and "read" the General Conference issue of the Ensign (that is a semi-annual worldwide church meeting with talks from our Prophet and General Authorities) in this chair in the Nursery and had fallen asleep in the process. (It happens to the best of us!)

Friday, July 23, 2010

not quite what I meant

screaming, upset Toby
Me: "Toby, use your words."
Toby: "Words."

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Karen-palooza

During the first half of July my college roomie Karen came to visit! We had sooooo much fun hanging out together. We mostly stayed close to home, but still did a lot- including: a Rhine Cruise, Michelstadt, Rothenberg, shopping in Heidelberg, and a spa day in Baden-Baden. We also lounged by the pool, ate many, many ice cream cones, and watched BBC period dramas. I loved it! Karen took about a million photos, but here are just a couple of my favorite moments. I'm so glad you came Nerak, I can't wait to hang out with you again. :)


Taking a break in the shade in Michelstadt.

After riding Top Spin at Heinerfest in Darmstadt. (While spinning you up in the air, it periodically shoots water in your face.) I haven't been on a ride anything like this in years. It was awesome!

Karen is such a trouble maker,
she got locked up in Rothenberg...

And then I took her to the Vivarium and threatened her with being fed to the R.O.U.S.s... although it turns out they are vegetarians.

Toby and I climbing around some castle ruins.


Killing time on the Rhine cruise return trip.