Climb!

There is one place that I can honestly say, I have spent more time in over the years - and it holds more memories - than any other one location (well... other than home, of course). That would be Rock Canyon, which is located behind the Provo Temple.

*

*

I found this beautiful photo taken by Ashley.

You can find her at Little Talks.

*

I used to spend a lot of time in that canyon, both alone and with others... hiking, trail running, exploring Buckley's Mine, sparking, rock skiing, emptying many pebbles from my boots, night hikes under the light of a full moon, bouldering, and of course some rock climbing. So many memories!

*

*

There are some wonderful parallels between rock climbing and life.  If you are looking for an extremely awesome Family Home Evening, or are looking for an adventure for your youth... may I suggest Rock Climbing. Whether you choose an indoor rock climbing gym or decide to experience the rock itself , I have gathered some great articles and talks below for you to research in preparation. :)

*

In the Graveyard: Games and Activities

Here are just a few games and activities for your Halloween parties. What are some of your favorites?

Supplies needed: lots and lots of toilet paper rolls!
Game play: Everyone will need a partner for this game. One will be the mummy, the other will be the wrapper. The wrappers have to wrap their mummy completely in toilet paper within the time given. The team closest to wrapping the mummy in the time given wins!

Whether you make it part of an official Halloween party or challenge another family (or more) to a game of Which Witch is Which Hunt... I promise you trick-or-treating will a bit more fun.

*
Game Play: Each team needs to have a camera or video camera and a list of Halloween characters to find while trick-or-treating. Have a meeting place and time for the judging to take place later in the evening.

*
Example list:
Witch
Superhero
Princess
Animal
Ghost
Policeman
Dracula
Cartoon Character
Doctor
Astronaut
Knight in Shining Armor
Football Player
Frankenstein
*

At the end of the night, gather 'round the television set and view or watch each other's video footage. You could always have prizes for:
1. most characters on the list found
2. most unique costume found
3. best decorated yard ... etc.

The good ol' game of O' So Gross! A guessing game, played in a darkened room.

*Read the story below to see what needs to be prepared beforehand.

*
Game Play: Have everyone sit in a circle. Pass out paper and pencils to each person. Explain the game - A story will be read. As the story is read, cups will be passed around one-by-one. As the cups are passed around everyone will FEEL what's inside - then WRITE DOWN what they think is really in the cup. Shut out the lights and start *the story:
*

Once in this town there lived a man named Brown.
Twas years ago this very night that he was murdered out of spite.
They say these are his remains:

Here is his brain, which now feels no pain.

(Pass around a cup with something like a wet squishy tomato inside it.)

Here are his eyes, still frozen with surprise.

(Pass the second cup which hold two frozen peeled grapes.)

Here is his heart. Be careful lest it start!

(Pass around a cup with a large lump of uncooked liver.)

Now we have his hair, which once was so fair!

(This cup contains a handful of corn silk or wet fur or yarn.)

Feel these drops of his blood. All the rest turned to mud.

(A cup with a little ketchup thinned with warm water.)

One hand all alone, just rotting flesh and bone.

(A damp plastic glove filled with mud or ice.)

Now touch his ear. He nevermore will hear!

(Pass around a cup holding a dried apricot.)

This is his nose. T'will never smell a rose.

(Use a soft piece of chicken bone.)

These worms are all that's left to feel. For them Brown was a lovely meal!

(Pass around a cup filled with wet, cooked spaghetti noodles.)

*
When the story comes to an end and everyone has finished writing down their guesses, turn up the lights and collect the papers. As you check their guesses, you can show everyone what was really in the cups.

Supplies: All you need is a package of index cards (or slips of paper), something to write with, and a room full of imagination.

*
Game Play: Write a line on each card that makes you think of Halloween. Then, pass around the deck of cards, face down. Have the first person choose a card. Have someone begin the story using the line on their card. They have 60 seconds (or less) until the person on their left takes the deck of cards from them. They choose a card and take the story in another another direction using the line on their card. This continues until everyone has had a chance to take a card from the deck (go around as many times as you would like). The last one to choose a card ends the story.

*
Here are some ideas:

the crystal vase was filled with blood the door opened. It was Count Dracula!

there was a ghost, rising from the grave

in the corner, lay a body. It was...

the candlelight flickered

it was a cauldron, and a skull bobbed inside

it was a giant swamp spider

the hand belonged to a wolf man!

the skeleton shook itself, and moved toward me

the casket creaked

rats scattered across the floor

from beyond the grave

the burial certificate had my name on it

it was a zombie nightmare

the severed head spoke

a ghost coughed

I tried to run, but I couldn't move!

Howl at the Moon: Halloween Songs

A few years back, I was Activities Director (just one of my many responsibilities) at a wonderful Assisted Living Facility in Orem, Utah. In my search for something fun to do with the residents, I found these Halloween Carols along with many more. The tunes are easily recognizable and easy to sing or even hum along with. These are also fun for children's Halloween parties.

*

TRICK OR TREAT

(Tune: Jingle Bells)
Dashing through the streets,
Meeting goblins as we go,
Wearing contour sheets,
Wishing it would snow.
Bells in doorways ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to come and sing
And get some food tonight.
Trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat we say!
Try to get the treats before the ghost takes us away!
Trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat we say!
If you don't have treats for us we'll never go away!
*

DECK THE HALLS
(Tune: Deck the Halls)
Deck the halls with poison ivy,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be slimy,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our strange apparel,
fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Halloween carol,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the goblins rise before us,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
As we sing the Halloween chorus,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow them as they ascend,
fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Join with all your loony friends,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
*

SPIRIT WONDERLAND
(Tune: Winter Wonderland)
Screech owls hoot, are you listening?
'Neath the moon, all is glistening.
A real scary sight, we're happy tonight.
Waitin' in a spirit wonderland.
In the streets, we're begging for some candy.
We've been waiting for this night all year.
We've tried to embarrass everybody,
And to make a costume filling you with fear.
Later on, while we're eating
What we got trick or treating.
We'll share all our sacks
Of Halloween snacks,
Waitin' in a spirit wonderland.
*

GREAT PUMPKIN IS COMING TO TOWN
(Tune: Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
Oh, you better not shriek,
You better not groan,
You better not howl,
You better not moan,
Great Pumpkin is coming to town!
He's going to find out
From folks that he meets
Who deserves tricks
And who deserves treats;
Great Pumpkin is coming to town.
He'll search in every pumpkin patch,
Haunted houses far and near,
To see if you've been spreading gloom,
Or bringing lots of cheer.
So, you better not shriek,
You better not groan,
You better not howl,
You better not moan,
Great Pumpkin is coming to town!
Songs for the little ones:
*

I'M A LITTLE SPIDER
(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little spider,

Watch me spin.

If you'll be my dinner, I'll let you come in.

Then I'll spin my web to hold you tight,

And gobble you up in just one big bite!
*

PUMPKIN SONG
(Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)
We are pumpkins big and round, big and round, big and round.

We are pumpkins big and round sitting on the ground.

See our great big shiny eyes, shiny eyes, shiny eyes.

See our great big shiny eyes, looking all around.

See our great big laughing mouth, laughing mouth, laughing mouth.

See our great big laughing mouth, smiling right at you!
*

THIS OLD GHOST
(Tune: This Old Man)
This old ghost, he played one,

He played peek-a-boo on the run.

With a Boo! Boo! Boo! and a clap, clap, snap!

This old ghost is a friendly chap.

This old ghost, he played two,

He played peek-a-boo in a shoe.

With a Boo! Boo! Boo! and a clap, clap, snap!

This old ghost is a friendly chap.

This old ghost, he played three,

He played peek-a-boo behind a tree.

With a Boo! Boo! Boo! and a clap, clap, snap,

This old ghost is a friendly chap.
*

GOBLINS IN THE DARK
(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
The goblin in the dark, the goblin in the dark,
Hi ho, Halloween, the goblin in the dark.

The goblin takes the witch, the goblin takes a witch,

Hi ho, Halloween, the goblin takes a witch.

The witch takes the bat, the witch takes a bat,

Hi ho Halloween, the witch takes a bat.

The bat takes the ghost, the bat takes a ghost,

Hi ho, Halloween, the bat takes a ghost.

The ghost says, "BOO!" The ghost says, "Boo!"

Hi ho, Halloween, the ghost says, "Boo!"
*

RIDING WITCHES
(Tune: Yankee Doodle)
A witch went riding on a broom

On a cold October evening;

She met a ghost and a big black cat,

And down her neck they were breathing.

"Jump up on my broom," she said,

"Let's come out of hiding,"

"Jump up on my broom," she said,

"And let's all go a-riding!"
*

IN THE GRAVEYARD
(Tune: Darling Clementine)
In the graveyard, in the graveyard,

When the moon begins to shine

There's a doctor, crazy doctor

And his monster Frankenstein.

Oh, my monster, oh, my monster,

Oh, my monster Frankenstein,

You are looking very scary,

Sweet old monster Frankenstein.

Penny for an Idea

At the beginning of the year I started searching for pennies from every one's birth years and anniversaries (oops, I let the cat out of the bag!).  I've done pretty good, I am only missing a few of the years.  I have them in a Ziploc bag, ready to be displayed in a cute little frame.  I thought it would make a fun custom birthday/anniversary gift.

*

I just came across these Lucky Penny Keychains and have been inspired to possibly use these pennies in a different way.  Now all I have to do is figure out how to punch the holes.

*

This would be a wonderful addition to Project HOPE CHEST.

*

This idea would even be fun to use in making custom necklaces for each of our young women.  A gift to present them on their birthday.  I suppose the key chains would be great for our Laurels.  :)

*

*

JUST FOR FUN

Your kids would love these penny stunts!  I found them in an article titled "Fun with Pennies", from The Friend, January 1984.  This might be fun for a Family Home Evening activity, possibly after a lesson about tithing, saving for a mission, or money management.

*

Before you put your pennies into a piggy bank, you might like to try these stunts with them. Some aren’t as easy as they seem!

1. Submerge a small glass right side up in the bottom of a large wide-mouthed bottle filled with water. Then try to drop pennies into the glass.
2. Press a penny firmly against the center of your forehead, slide it upward about an inch, let go, and it will stay there.
3. Lie flat on your back on the floor. Have someone put a penny on the tip of your nose. Without moving your head, try to dislodge the coin by wiggling your nose.
4. Stand with your feet together and your heels against a wall. Have someone place a penny about eighteen inches in front of your toes. Without moving your heels from the wall, try to pick up the coin.
5. Hold out one hand, palm up. Have someone place a penny on each fingertip except the thumb. See if you can get all the pennies into one pile on a fingertip without using the thumb or other hand.
6. Have a friend put an even number of pennies in one closed fist and an odd number in the other. Announce that without looking you can tell which hand holds the even number of pennies. Ask the person holding the pennies to multiply the number of pennies in his right hand by five, the number in his left hand by six. The two results are added together and the total number announced. If it is an even number, the even number of pennies is in the right hand. If the total is an odd number, the number of pennies in the right hand will be odd.

Baskets of Inspiration

template here

*
Many moons ago, as a youth, one of my leaders presented an object lesson which had a lasting impact on me.  It was a simple lesson, using a bar of soap.  The lesson was on repentance.  Though I don't remember the complete contents of the object lesson itself, I cannot help but thinking about repentance almost every time I use a bar of soap.  Can you imagine just how often I use a bar of soap?

*

This is one reason I love object lessons.  I have to admit there have been times I have picked up a bar of soap and been annoyed that I couldn't just wash my hands.  Always a lesson in the back of my mind.  Really?

*

But more times than not, I have appreciated the moments I have really needed that reminder.  Looking at myself in the mirror, (because I am usually standing in front of the mirror when I am washing my hands - aren't you?)  :)  asking myself if I have been taking advantage of the gift of the atonement in my own life.  Washing the dirt from my spirit.  Allowing my light to shine.

*

I think it is important for our youth to understand that they are surrounded by everyday items that can inspire them, remind them of gospel principles they have been taught, and that they can use these to inspire others.

*

The following is an activity I have done a number of times with the young women I have had the opportunity to serve.  Thought I would share!

Faith is like a Seed.

For Family Home Evening (FHE), a lesson was taught on Faith.  We each planted a paper white bulb (absolutely fool proof).  These were placed in multiple locations throughout our home (kitchen, bathroom counter, on the piano, bedroom dressers, bookshelves...).  They have served as a reminder of our own personal faith in our Savior growing each day.

"Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow."
Children's Song Book #96

This would also be a wonderful activity to support the Young Women Value:  Faith.
*
SUPPLIES:

bag of bulbs (approximately $15.00 for 25 bulbs - Sam's Club or Home Depot)

pebbles or soil  (I only used pebbles- no soil)

container for each Young Women (they could even bring their own containers to decorate

*

This is all we did:  Filled containers with soil/pebbles no more than one inch from the top.  Placed bulbs, pointed end up, on top of soil/pebbles.  Made sure bulbs were secure.  Filled containers with water so that the base of bulb touched water.  Then we waited.  Watched.  Added sunshine and more water when needed.

*

I found that paper whites do not smell all that great, but they sure are pretty.  They also grow quite tall and tip over easily when planted alone (great analogy here!).  We found that the bulbs grow better in clusters. 

____________________

*

I found this tutorial for forcing paper whites, using empty quart sized paint cans from Home Depot.

What about planting a few to give away as neighbor gifts, visiting teaching, mother's day, the possibilities are endless!

*

Testimony Plant

About a year and a half ago dad gave us some plants. He told us the plants were like our testimonies and if we feed them, give them light, and surround them with good things, they will grow big and strong. He even recommended we sing to them. There are times I catch Dennis singing them to sleep at night. Ha ha. They have grown big and continue to become stronger each day. Each time I look at them it reminds me of my testimony and how much it has grown through out these last couple of years. Thanks Dad for the great example you have set for us in our home.

*

We love you!