I am Thankful for My Hands (Primary Manual 1, Lesson 17)

Sunbeam Lesson 17: I am Thankful for My Hands

We had a lot of fun today!  We talked about our hands and everything they can do and feel.  On half a piece of cardstock (landscape) I typed My Hands Can Feel Many Things! at the bottom and on the other side I typed My hands are unique!  I cut the sheet in half.  During class I traced their hands on each of the pieces.  On the paper that talked about feeling things we glued things they could touch/feel.  I just searched the house to find things I already had that were of different texture.  Here is the one I made ahead of time:

I cut the items at home so we could just glue them on (their hands are tiny, you need small pieces-smaller than I thought - I had to trim most of them). I also brought my hot glue gun to help them stick better.  Each finger had an item glued on and I found so many I put two more on the palm.  I ended up with felt, sandpaper, furry materiel, boa, cotton ball, bubble wrap, aluminum foil.  They loved to feel the different items.
With the other hand we talked about how each hand is unique.  I used a stamp pad to put their fingerprints on this hand (don't forget the baby wipes):

Those hands went in a gallon Ziploc baggie:

I placed a label on it so the parents knew what our lesson was all about:

In the bag I also included other things they can do with their hands:

Bubble wrap.  I also gave them a smaller piece to pop in class.  We did that during the lesson and then they had the large piece in their bag to pop at home.

This hand I printed off my Primary Partners CD.  It is double sided and glued together like a mitt.

 We eat with our hands so they had goldfish crackers:

 And I found this cute worksheet that they color with their hands (link at end of post with the downloads).

I forgot to add it before I took pictures, but clay (or play dough) was in there too.

The kids loved doing everything with their hands and taking home a bag of things to do.  Our lesson and making the hands filled the time, but if you had extra time they could color one of the sheets during class.

If you choose to download, please become a follower first (on the right).  I'm happy to share my creations with my followers.  If you would like to leave a comment too that would totally make my day!

Download Hands Here

Download Editable Labels (may lose font, but there are other labels on the sheet)

Download PDF Labels (the font will looked how I used it)

Link to church hands worksheet is here

I Belong to a Family & I Love My Brothers and Sisters (Primary Manual 1, Lessons 23 & 24)

Sunbeam Lesson 23 - I Belong to a Family
Sunbeam Lesson 24 - I Love my Brothers and Sisters

First take a look at this post.

If I had to do it all again I would spread the chain out through all three lessons in which you talk about family.  Print out the chains (from the link above) and divide them between the three lessons - Lessons 23, 24, 25.  

For lesson 23 color the self link and parents link.
For lesson 24 color the brother & sister links.
For lesson 25 color the extended family links.

It took a lot of time to try and draw bodies on all the links and put them together (plan on teaching them how to draw stick figures the first lesson).  This will cut down on the coloring time and on the day of the last lesson you could have the chains linked together already minus the ones they will make that day.

Lesson 24: I Love My Brothers and Sisters.
We did the chains (above) and read a story about Moses.  They did a lot of talking about their brothers and sisters.  We talked about how to be kind to our siblings and how much we love them.  The kids then got to take a treat home to each sibling and a little note. A Kiss seems the perfect gift for a sister or brother.

I decided to make treats with a chocolate kiss on top.

I Love My Whole Family (Primary Manual 1, Lesson 25)

Sunbeam Lesson #25, I Love My Whole Family

I was recently called to the Sunbeams.  My team teacher and I were formally nursery workers, but when both the sunbeam teachers were released they moved us up to Sunbeams.  I was very sad to leave my nursery class ~ I had a bunch of cute kids!  My Sunbeam class is cute too, they are just more challenging.  We are working hard at getting them to stay in their seats (Any suggestions?).  They have a short attention span.  I guess I should state that I have taught Sunbeams (and then the 4 year olds) for YEARS.  It has been awhile, but it is the calling I've had the most and the longest.  This bunch is a little harder to keep their attention and to keep seated.  I must say we had a great week last week, but we were also a little smaller.  I tell you this to let you know that I like lots of interaction and hands on.  I always search for ideas and hardly ever come up with my own.  Often I will borrow someones idea and recreate the same thing or something similar.  My first source is Sugardoodle.net (and I try to share back with her since I use so many things).  If you know any great site with ideas, please share.

Here is what I plan to do:

First we are going to make a family chain.  I found the original idea here, but made a few more chains and added color.  Each chain has a family member listed: me, parents, brother(s), sister(s), cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and a box to draw their family in.  At the bottom of this post are the downloads for black and white or color.  I chose to print the chains in color and the heart in black and white using red paper (which is a little thicker than copy paper, but not as thick as cardstock).  I also cut out and put each child's chain in an envelope (the same envelope will be sent to mail their letter - see next idea).  If they had multiple siblings I used the brothers or sisters, but if they only had one then I used the singular chain - brother or sister.

We are also going to mail hugs to an extended family member.  This idea I got here and I didn't change a thing.  I sent it home in an envelope already containing a postage stamp.  Hopefully the parents will just add an address and mail it off!

While at Costco we sampled a cereal that I hadn't heard about before:

Quaker Whole Heart is much like Cheerios, but heart shaped.  How fun is that?  Anyway, we are going to make bracelets with them.  They will have fun edible heart shaped bracelets that we will make as we talk about loving our whole family.

If you choose to download, please become a follower first (on the right).  I'm happy to share my creations with my followers.  If you would like to leave a comment too that would totally make my day!

Download Family Chain Here - Color

Download Family Chain Here - Black & White

And since my daughter FINALLY colored in the stick people (I knew I should have done it myself) on the chains so I could have an example for the kids (and pictures for you), I decided that the chains would look better longer.  So I went it and fixed the documents so that they are.  If you wanted the longer chain version download below.

Download the Longer Family Chain Here - Color

Download the Longer Family Chain Here - B&W
**Make sure you click landscape after the document comes up to print or it won't print correctly!**

If you have any questions or problems, let me know!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider Song for Nursery

I can't believe I haven't had time to blog about what I have done in nursery.  The reason I can't believe it is because I have already been released (a couple months ago).  I LOVED this calling.  It was great to play with the "babies" since my "baby" is 8.  I was only the nursery leader for about 7 months, but I must have matured quickly because they moved me up a level: The Sunbeams!  I will share things I did in there (I have lots of pictures I took before I turned everything over).  Hopefully I can prepare my lessons a little sooner and share what I am doing with my Sunbeams too.
One thing I learned at my training was to help the kids sing ~ or at least stay with you during singing time ~ was to give them something to hold.  I already had many things made from when I my kids were little, but this idea I'm going to share was genius.  It is so much more fun to hold an object instead of a piece of laminated paper - no matter how cute the paper is. 

I present, The Itsy Bitsy Spider:

The kids absolutely LOVE wearing a spider ring when singing the song!  Ever since I brought the rings to church guess what song they ALWAYS want to sing first?  Yep, the Spider Song!
On my way out I had to leave everything nice and tidy so I made some signage for the spiders.

I recycled a container from our favorite Chinese Food Restaurant formally carrying Sweet and Sour Sauce.  If you don't have one of these nifty containers to recycle you can use Ziploc or Rubbermaid containers:

For my followers, I will share this printable with you!  Oh and I almost forgot.  I know some people sing it Eensy Weensy Spider so I made labels for that too.  Just. In. Case.

If you choose to download, please become a follower first (on the right).  I'm happy to share my creations with my followers.  If you would like to leave a comment too that would totally make my day!

Download Spider Labels here

Thanks for reading!

Baptism Decorations and Food

For the program table I wanted a picture of my daughter in her baptism dress.  Originally I was going to do a picture in her blessing dress and in her baptism dress, but somewhere along the way that was changed.  In my search for subway art I also came across an editable one here at Oopey Daisy.  You are able to change the name and date.  I had a 5x7 printed up when I ordered the photos for the programs.  I also ordered a couple other pictures from her photo session.  And while I'm confessing I actually ordered a 11x14 collage of some of her pictures that I was thinking about using.  Well, I wasn't to thrilled with that and I still had the 8x10 of my favorite photo I definitely wanted to use and the cute little subway art to display.  Then I remembered a frame I had that had 2 5x7 openings and one 8x10 (currently holding outdated pictures of my kids - all three in the middle, the boy on one side and the girls on the other).  I was even more excited when I realized that the faced the correct direction.  I only had one problem - what to put into the other 5x7.  If I would've had more time I would've printed another picture, but I was didn't.  So I did the next best thing, I mounted a 4x6 picture on paper and threw it into the frame.  It didn't turn out too bad:

I love that 8x10!  It would look better with a 5x7 instead of 4x6, but since the subway art is framed with a pink border, it doesn't look too bad.  Her other photo that I loved (which was the big photo on the collage I didn't use) was the photo on the program.  That was on the table too so I had enough photos displayed (at least all my favorites).

I wish I had better pictures of the refreshments and room, but I was busy playing mom and host so here is what I was able to get my tween to take. I kept the decorations simple for the food tables.  I put out round tables and used table cloths in the colors we chose: the bright colors of blue, yellow, purple, pink, and green.  In fact the decorations were so simple my 8 and 13 year old were making them as I loaded up the car:

All you need is tissue paper and wire.  We layered two sheets of a color and rotated colors (2 yellow, 2 purple, 2 yellow, 2 purple).  Accordion fold the stack (over, under, over, under).  When it is folded wrap a wire around the center (we used a pipe cleaner).  Trim the ends - round or pointy - I did round.  Gently (so you don't rip the paper) peel each layer up at a time.  Soon it will look like a flower.  If you can't follow those instructions search Martha Stewart and she can help you out better.  So I didn't take step by step photos, but like I said, the girls made them on the way out while I loaded the car.
On the table we set out clear cups.  I had purchased what were supposed to be clear labels.  I printed out labels that matched the pop cake toppers (I made those first and you can read on about them shortly).  On the cups I had Congratulations and her name or It's great to be 8.  I changed up the colors (below happens to be the same colors and again, not a very good photo) to match the colors we picked out and I also changed the fonts.  Right now you can download the 8 labels below.  Since I used fonts not on everyone's (or all my) computers I had to save it as a PDF to get it to print correctly.  I think I started to convert the other to a font in word, but until that is finished I only have the one for you.

Now it was towards the baptism date that I decided to serve food.  In fact I hadn't decided how much food when I made the invitations so I worded it as refreshments.  Turns out it was enough for dinner.  In trying to figure out the goodies I thought along the lines of her colors and what I could make that would bring in the colors (since I did little decorations this really tied it all together and made it look nice). I ended up using candy melts to tie in the color to the food.  We had pretzel rods dipped in chocolate, cake balls on a stick with a cupcake topper.  The cupcake toppers had her monogram & date of baptism, Congratulations & name, and 8 is great.

Another treat I made are mini turtles.  Go here for the recipe.  I set them out on color coordinating plates or tied ribbon around jars to tie it together.  I also bought a sliced ham (she was baptized the day before Easter so a bonus that they were all on sale), rolls (sliced for sandwiches), a cheese tray, we also made veggie and fruit trays.  I froze fruit in ice cube trays for the ice and set out pictures of water.  I had lemon, strawberry and raspberry ice cubes.  It added some fun color to the water.

To see more posts about the baptism click here or on the baptism link to the right under labels.

If you choose to download, please become a follower first (on the right).  I'm happy to share my creations with my followers.  If you would like to leave a comment too that would totally make my day!

 Download It's Great to be 8 labels here

  Download It's Great to be 8 Cupcake toppers here

*NOTE* Below are the other labels & cupcake toppers. The fonts will not work on your computer (unless you have happened to have downloaded the same ones) so you may have to play around and change them to fit your style/needs.

 Download Congratulation Labels Here

Download Congratulation Tags Here

Download Initial Tags Here

The Baptism Program

Since I wasn't able to make my invitation with Boo in her Baptism Dress I wanted it to at least be on her program.  Myself and the oldest took pictures the Sunday before her baptism.  A kind friend edited the pictures for me (since we all now know how I can't manage Photoshop).  I searched for invitation ideas, but couldn't find one that included everything I needed.  So I made my own.  I designed it with my daughter's name at the top and the date of the baptism at the bottom.  A 4x6 photo fit perfectly in between.  I ordered these from Costco and included a black border around it.  I attached the photo with photo corners so that friends and family could remove the picture and keep it if they chose to.  You could print the photo right on the invitation, but I wanted family to be able to keep the photo and not necessarily have to keep the program.

On the inside left is the first song we sang in the program: "When I Am Baptized."  Type in the song your child chooses here.  On the right is the program outline.  I included titles - either Brother/Sister/Bishop or family relation: Grandpa/Father/etc.  I wanted to include the witnesses and who was performing the baptism and confirmation.  I also learned that both a member of the primary presidency and bishopric take a moment to welcome the child & say a few things. (If this is for a convert there wouldn't be a Primary Welcome).  On the back is the closing song.  There is also a little note stating where the template came from.  Please leave the web address on it (you can change wording/font size, just make sure the blog address is correct).

If you choose to download, please become a follower first (on the right).  I'm happy to share my creations with my followers.  If you would like to leave a comment too that would totally make my day!

Download the editable program here.  (Be kind and leave the source of the template on the bottom of the back of the program). 

To see more posts about the baptism click here or on the baptism link under labels on the right.

The Baptism Invitations

I searched the net for free baptism subway art and I found the above art on Poppy Seed Projects, here.  I decided that it would make a great invitation.  I tried out Photoshop to make the invitation. I won't tell you how many HOURS it took me to do as much as I did.  Then I had a warning from Costco that it isn't a good resolution.  I gave up, took my chances, and they printed just fine.  I really wanted to get a picture of her in her dress, but as always I didn't have time to squeeze it in.  I used one of the pictures taken about a month before she turned eight.
I put the subway art on one side and the picture inside the frame.  On the other side I wrote up the invitation.  I erased her name and other personal information in the picture above, but kept an E on there to see the fun font and color I used.  I used her full name and it took up two lines. I searched online to find some ideas for wording.  If you click on the picture above it should enlarge for you to read (if not and your interested leave a comment and I'll add it).
I printed them online at Costco.com.  They are 6 x 7 1/2 so the picture is about 4x6.  Nice and large if the family wants to trim off the words and just keep the photo (after all the subway art is too cute). The smallest amount you can order is 50 for $14.99 which was too many, but they are the size I wanted and it still costs less for more than if I ordered at another place.  They also come with some heavy envelopes lined with silver.  I was very pleased with how they turned out.  The only thing I would do different is have her in her beautiful dress.

To see more posts about the baptism click here.

LDS Baptism Kit Kats

I found this cute idea for a Kit Kat wrapper here on Sugardoodle and instantly loved it!  The three letters of Kat spell out the covenants that are made at baptism.  On the back is the 4th Article of Faith.  Perfect!  My only problem was it was black and white and the font was just plain.  So changed the colors to match our color theme and I changed up the font.  I did one girl friendly and one boy friendly.  
You can use this idea for a talk and give it to the child being baptized as a reminder.  You can have a basket of them as favors to those who attend.  We chose to give one to the kids that came to the baptism.  It was a great way for them to remember the talk on baptism.  Most of the kids (all but two) hadn't been baptized yet.  My little girl was baptized the day before Easter so they had these Kit Kats in yellow wrappers in the Easter aisle.  It matched the colors so much better than the red wrapper.

Please be kind and become a follower if you decide to download or if you like what you see.  If you have even more time, leave a comment.  Knowing people use my creations (recreations) makes taking the time to take pictures and create posts worth it.  Thanks for visiting!

Download the Kit Kat Wrapper Here

My apologies to anyone who tried to open this and was unable.  I forgot to change the link from private to share.  Not long after I finished this post (I was working on the second baptism post) we lost power.  Turned out we lost power for 52 + hours.  We are going to spend this summer re-evaluating our emergency preparedness and 72 hours kits.  This includes purchasing and learning how to use a generator!  We, of course, are also in the middle of a heat wave 114 degree weather & no power does not equal fun!  If something doesn't work, let me know!

To see more posts about the baptism click here. 

Baptism Wrap-Up

I'm doing this backwards from what I usually do, but many others do it this way.  I'm going to show you a summary of my daughter's Baptism and then I'll dissect it and let you know what I did, how It did it, and provide you with any printables I made.  
First, If you are not of the LDS faith (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) then I want to mention that a person may choose to be baptized at the age of 8 or later.  We believe that age 8 they are old enough to know right from wrong and to be accountable for their decisions.  For more information you can go here. With that being said, my baby turned eight in January and she made the decision to be baptized.  We decided to wait until spring break for this special event because we had time off school to spend with the family that was traveling to attend. 
First are the invitations.  I wanted to get her picture taken in her dress, but things were crazy busy and it didn't happen for the invitations.  I ended up using the picture taken over Christmas break:

I deleted personal info, but left an E to see the font/color used for her name

The programs and picture display outside the room she was baptized in:

I wish I had better pictures of the refreshments and room, but I was busy playing mom and host so here is what I was able to get my tween to take.
We chose the bright colors of blue, yellow, purple, pink, and green. I used candy melts to tie in the color to the food.  We had pretzel rods dipped in chocolate, cake balls on a stick with a cupcake topper.  The cupcake toppers had her monogram & date of baptism, Congratulations, and 8 is great:

We had five round tables set up and used plastic tablecloths in the mentioned colors.  We made tissue paper flowers for the centerpieces.  I also printed the same things mentioned above on clear labels and put them on clear cups.

It was lots of fun and turned out beautifully.  I may have gotten myself in trouble though.  Word of advice: don't make it look too nice when most of the bishopric and a counselor of the Relief Society presidency are there.  Now they think I can actually pull this off more than once. 
I added more posts.  You can click on links throughout this post or click on baptism under labels on the right.  These will have printables for you.

And what I forgot the Baptism Kit Kat Wrappers:

Linking up with:

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