Outdoor Bedtime Stories Brought to You by Stove In A Can

Sometimes I want to be the fun mom who lets her hair down, uses silly voices, and gives the kids dad-type fun. You know, dad-fun: break the rules, don't worry about a mess or let furniture get in the way, and leave blankets and crumbs all over fun. I have to compete with a dad who regularly overflows the jetted tub with bubbles for the kids and gives evening go-kart rides. 

 

Tonight the kids and I decided to prep for bedtime outside where we could play "knights camping in the woods" per Emerson's request. I'm not the fire expert in the family, nor do I ever cook in the outdoors, so when the kids and I are on our own in the evening and want to do something crazy like cook and eat dessert outside I have to thank this little Stove In A Can.  The knight, the princess, and the king all enjoyed a warm and tasty apple berry cobbler while reading bedtime stories. 

I have to say I'm very glad I was given this little can to bulk up my pathetic little supply of emergency preparedness. The few cans, wheat, and dehydrated soups I have will not cook themselves. The idea is simple yet brilliant, compacting fuel cells, waterproof matches, and a heat coil all in a lightweight little can that can fit in the car, on a shelf, or even in a backpack. The can cooked our dutch oven cobbler in less than an hour and burned on for at least another hour or two. 



The can was as simple to cook on as the stove but has the added benefit of providing the user with such confidence-building qualities as adventurous, courageous, and in the case of our game tonight, chivalrous.

Pictures of Spring

 

Charlie did a great job of fitting in at the ski resort.  

 Taking Charlie up the lift. . . just to make my mother nervous. 

The snow isn't as great, but you have to love spring skiing when you feel comfortable enough without gloves or even a coat. 

 

These two shots illustrate their relationship perfectly: at each other's throats one minute, and loving each other the next. Brothers are cute. 

I had to throw in cute Emers at a Lego event at the library. He was so confident racing his creations against the other kids down the track. 


Now onto the 372 house and yard projects I need to accomplish. 

Thank You Church

Maybe it's because it's Easter or because everyone is napping and the sun is shining bright, but I am feeling so positive about my family's experience at church this Easter Sunday. Yes, it was my toddler up front during the Sacrament meeting standing under the speaker with his shirt halfway off trying to fit his entire fist in his mouth, but not even his attention-deficiency during the service frustrated me today. I regret not making the time or effort to prepare anything worth-while for our family Easter celebrations this year, from either the spiritual or secular realm. As we all walked home from church talking about our individual classes we attended the third hour I realized we had all been as spiritually well fed as if we had attended Easter Sunday brunch at the Grand America. We all went home to physically feast on whatever leftover offerings the fridge held for us for lunch, but our spiritual needs have been met today.

I doubt I would find another organization in the world that would offer my entire family a place every week with such spiritual training and inspiration catered to our individual roles, ages, and needs. My children sing, create artwork, socialize, and get to know loving teachers who sincerely care for them. My husband gathers with other men for lessons and gospel discussions. I get to know women and teenage girls I normally wouldn't run into through life's average routine, and get uplifted by the lessons and teachings of others who do it all in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. My Easter means more to me today after a couple shared their knowledge and insight on Jewish tradition and their experience in the Holy Land. I realized that while it is difficult to balance every aspect in a family including educating, feeding, housekeeping, sporting, and every other ing, I have the serving and spiritual teaching made easy for me with a house of the Lord right in my neighborhood. We are all given the opportunity to serve others in one capacity or another. Living the gospel we are challenged, strengthened, stretched, and edified, and all it took today was showing up.

Happy Easter. He is Risen!