Fortifying FHE

The past few FHE nights have been the kind that you can sit back with a sigh of relief & realize that you're finally putting it all together with a nice hands-on approach that will enable a 3 & 5 y.o. boy to not only enjoy the gospel but retain the principles. At least I've been able to keep their attention & that's an accomplishment in itself...It all began when we used rice krispie treats to make a wall on which Samuel the Lamanite could stand. We pelted him with rocks (cocoa pebbles) & arrows (from their lego sets), but he stood boldly & they learned that he was protected as a righteous prophet until it came time to eat the wall:). A couple months later we bought plastic armies from the $1 store & went through 10 war chapters from Alma! Cole's army became the Nephites with Captain Moroni & Dane had to be the Lamanites & cross the River Jordan. The boys couldn't believe that the Lamanites weren't protected with armor & we compared that to how they need to guard themselves in the latter days as well; they had learned about the armor of God @ our Primary breakfast so that helped to enrich the lesson.

Last but not least, we brought back the plastic armies & rice krispie treats then added Lincoln logs to build fortifications & dig trenches just like in the ensuing chapters...even when there was peace they learned that they need to work hard to defend themselves against the opposition!
I was just amazed @ how riveted they were to the scriptures as they came to life for them. Cole kept asking what happened next & wanted me to read more! So I'm telling you mothers of lil' boys, try out this method! I'm no expert & they have a long way to go until they've returned with honor from missions (for which I know I won't be able to take full credit either:)), but I was thrilled to see their interest when I tried to make more consistent & effective efforts with FHE lately 'cuz I know we need to start those righteous habits in our home now! Not sure what the plan is next week, but we're all about that book "Lessons that Teach with Treats" since Cole is a growing boy & insists he's hungry like every half hour!?! It's gotta be green too for St. Patrick's Day too?! Hmmm...maybe that we can't need to rely on gospel vs. luck to succeed in life & that we're all latter-day saints:)not just Patrick!