This morning our stake had a primary activity, to which Chris took all 3 kids. (What a saint he is -- I got to sleep in!) Obviously Lindsey wasn't old enough, but she had her heart set on going along and checking out the action. Lucky for her, they let her join in, and all 3 had a fantastic time.
The purpose of the activity was to make care packages for the soldiers who are overseas. The kids were divided into groups and rotated through various stations where they participated in several different tasks. In one room, they decorated cards to send to the troops,complete with stickers and artwork. Nathaniel was particularly proud
of his -- he drew an awesome picture of a soldier. He's quite the little artist!In the kitchen, the children were able to get a taste of what the troops get to eat; crock pots were set up with contents of MREs for everyone to sample. My picky little Nathaniel did not like his . . . bi
g surprise. (Oh, he did try the cracker and liked that!)Bradley and Lindsey both thought the food was delicious, and Lindsey especially enjoyed the chicken and rice. In the Relief Society Room, the kids then put together an assortment of "good food" to send to the soldiers: rice krispie treats, peanut butter crackers, and the like. They also put together hygiene kits with toothpaste 
and brushes, mouthwash, deodorant, and Advil. The highlight was the end, where each child was able to decorate and consume a heart-shaped cookie with icing, gummy bears, and conversation hearts.
Well, the activity was a big hit. Our thanks to the Stake and Ward Primary leaders for a great morning, one that w
as fun and meaningful. It was a good opportunity for the kids to see that they can have a good time while doing something nice for someone else, and I especially appreciated that the someone else in this case are those brave men and women who protect our country. What a great lesson for the kids.
