Believe it or not, after being gone for four Sundays our little Sunbeams (the little 3 year-olds we teach at church) still remembered us.  But something must have happened while we were away and keeping them engaged for 45 minutes (after they have been sitting still for 140) has gotten a little more difficult.

So the last couple weeks we really have been trying to find activities that are related to the lessons (wh ich are as simple as "I am thankful for water" or "I am thankful for trees, plants and flowers") that can hold their attention.  We've been pretty successful the last two Sundays and it's funny how satisfying that is!  I rely an awful lot on a website maintained by over-achieving Mormons (for whom I am quite grateful) that have pretty fantastic ideas.  My mom (world's greatest first grade teacher) has also been a great reference.  She even sent over the most amazing puppets in time for our lesson this week.  The kids loved them.   Last week's highlight was blue jell-o for oceans and the wave machine.  This week's highlight was entirely my idea.  (Can you tell I'm feeling pretty proud of myself?)  We made no-bake cookies in the shape of a nest and then brought them to class for the kids to fill with Cadberry mini-eggs.  They were a hit.  Especially once the kids learned the eggs were candy!  We really are having fun with the kids and are blown away by how smart they are!