Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Living Scriptures

Tonight, as we were getting Joseph ready for bed, we read the parable of the Prodigal Son.



We've kind of been slacking on our read-a-scripture-story-before-bedtime routine, but (much like updating our blog) we're not going to let past failures deter us. Tonight, Joseph also gave us new motivation to keep up with this tradition.

In the past, we would find a picture from a scripture story and then repeat the same story two or three nights in a row and ask him questions to see what details he remembered from previous nights. Sometimes we'd come up with some kind of game to act out from the story (e.g., Gathering animals like Noah, putting our nets in the water like Peter, building a boat like Nephi. I guess nautical-themed stories seem to lend themselves well to activities for two-year olds).



So last night, we talked about how the dad forgave his son and was so happy to see him even though the son had been doing naughty things that he shouldn't have been doing. We just focused on the picture and the story and didn't bother coming up with an action for "riotous living" or for wanting to eat pig food.

Tonight, after we reviewed the story, Joseph announced joyfully, "I'm going to pretend to do something naughty." Not knowing what was coming next, we watched with amused anticipation. Joseph quickly ran around a little table, wound up, and whacked me on the arm as hard as he could. He then looked up at me with a twinkle in his eye and waited for me to do my part where the daddy forgives his son with a great big hug.

Erin fought off laughter by biting her knuckle, but was able to recompose herself after he hit me again for the repeat performance.

I have now determined that Erin gets to be the robbers whenever she agrees to let us act out Ammon defending the king's flocks.



Also, we're also going to hold off on David and Goliath for a while as well.




(we'll explain the story behind those last two pictures soon)

Not to be left out, Audrey is also ready for her key role in the "Solomon/split the baby" story:

8 comments:

Lindsey Bench said...

I don't want to be there when you teach about Laban either.

Mama White said...

Hilarious! That little boy is goood! Can't believe how long Audrey's hair has gotten. Beautiful babies--sure do miss you all!

Liz Harnish said...

I love the "pretend to do something naughty" -- Watch out, he may use the excuse of acting as the prodigal son for a while!

Dev and Laur said...

I am grateful he got what he was supposed to out of the story. Now you just need to remember that lesson learned every time he does something "naughty". I am just grateful he isn't telling you that pouring warm water down his back while you give him a bath feels "naughty".
Aud couldn't be more beautiful. It's quite insane.

Crystal said...

Who does Audrey look like? I can't figure it out. She's so super duper cute!!! (not saying you guys aren't cute just a cute that doesn't resemble her all that much)

The Perry Adventures said...

Audrey is adorable!!! I love her curls and her smiles :). Joseph still is a handsome little boy too!

We hope you guys are doing great. You have such a cute family. I hope all is well in the "protect the infant from the toddler who just loves that baby sooo much" world.
Love,
Emily, Justin, Makayla, and Maddi Jane Perry

The Perry Adventures said...

p.s. thank you so much for sharing those stories and pics.

Nana said...

I will never tire of looking at these precious little ones - even at 3 a.m.!