I had already printed out the General Conference packets various people put together (thank you--out there to all of you who put those together!) and of course I had the stand by Conference Bingo cards and Angry Bird Space fruit snacks to go with them. But I found some new ideas online that I thought would help the older kids focus a little better.
I divided the basement into different areas. Everyone had their own spot to help avoid fighting and talking. Bradley and Bryson had their bean bags with their Conference packets and bingo cards but I also challenged them to learn about 3 Apostles. I got out the 8x10 pictures of the Quorum of the Twelve and First Presidency but I also printed off little "flash cards" that had a shorter summary of each.
Blake's spot was on his chair by the lockers. You can see in the picture that the side of the lockers is covered with Gospel Art Kit pictures. This was one idea I found online which I tweaked slightly. I picked different topics (faith, sacrament, love, scriptures, family, missionaries, temples, and obedience or choosing the right) and picked a picture to match it and labeled the picture. As one of the Apostles would talk we decided which topic (if any that I chose) the talk came under and moved the picture of that Apostle to the picture of that topic. This worked well during Conference and we've used it all week long since then to review the talks by the Apostles and match the topic.
Brock's spot was over by this play table. I had a bucket of church books for him and a Temple matching game that I made for a class at BYU. I always forget that I have it so it was a fun novelty for Brock. He also had Conference papers to color and bingo cards.
In between sessions we worked on lunch and another fun idea I found online. I mixed up a big batch of cookie dough and left it plain. Then gave the boys a chunk and we shaped it into ties--like dress shirt ties. We called them Conference Cookies. They had fun putting designs on their tie and even etched out patterns with a plastic knife. This picture was taken before the cookies baked.
This is how enormous the ties ended up! The boys of course thought it was great. Next time we'll make them a little smaller! Blake's taste runs a little Jackson Pollack I think.
Bryson, my Anti-Chocolate kiddo used Skittles and blue sprinkles. It turned out cute and he said it tasted good. . . I don't think I'll add Skittles into cookie dough for myself anytime soon.
Bradley stuck with a classic polka-dot/checkerboard design. His also baked into the best shape. We'll definitely make these again so we can perfect the shape, size and baking aspects.
Brock was asleep during the baking project and when he woke up he just wanted to make "circles." So we decorated 4 circles for him and he was thrilled!
So all in all we cut down on a little bit of the noise and chaos and Scott and I were able to enjoy Conference a little more. I love having that time of concentrated meditation on the greatness of the Gospel and the love of our Savior and Heavenly Father. I appreciate the constant encouragement from the General Authorities to, as President Hinckley once said, "try a little harder to be a little better." It was a great weekend!
