Mother's Day gift idea: Candy Flower Bouquets

I saw this idea online and thought it would be pretty easy to do and really cute.
I just used what I had on hand, so please don't judge my sad little candy bouquet :).

Here is what you could use:
Small jar or small flower pot
Craft foam
Popsicle sticks or skewers
Cardstock or craft foam
Candy & Cookies

In the picture I filled my jar up with beans, but that didn't work very well, so I would recommend using the craft foam. You could always top the craft foam with some tissue paper and then stick the flowers through the tissue paper. You could even use a smaller piece of foam and glue it to the bottom, cover it with tissue paper and then fill the rest of the flower pot/jar with jelly beans.

The original post said to paint your sticks green. If you decide to do this I would probably spray paint them (that would be the fastest). If you don't want to paint them, just tie some green ribbon onto the sticks to make it look like the leaves.

For the flowers, I just searched 'Flower Templates' on Google and then printed out the ones that I liked. I then cut each flower out and traced them onto my foam/cardstock.
You could get very creative with the flowers and make it look really cute. I did this one really fast, so mine aren't fancy. :) Then just attach a piece of candy to the center of each flower and you've got a candy flower (I taped my candy, but glue would work too).
Another idea is cookie flowers. Make some cookies and then stick lollipop sticks/skewers into them and cover them with cellophane and tie the bottom with a ribbon.

I think if you have the flowers pre-cut you could let the children pick out their flowers and candy and then have them assemble the flowers. I think they would enjoy this gift idea and it's easy and quick enough to do during Sharing Time.

I also have a poem that I wrote that can go with the bouquets. And for the women that don't have children in Primary, I wrote a poem for them. :)
If you don't want to do flower pots/jars, just make your flowers and then wrap them in tissue paper and tie a pretty bow around them.

Since there are 5 Sundays in May we decided to take the whole Sharing Time on the 8th for Mother's Day. Then we'll just teach the 4th week's lesson on the 5th Sunday.

Click Here for the Mother's Day Poem for the Candy Flowers.


Another Idea that I Saw:
I did see another idea that I thought was really cute. It was an accordian type card (you could just make a regular card though) with cupcakes on it. Then on the inside it said "for the 'sweetest' Mom!" The card included a homemade cupcake magnet. You could also include a yummy cupcake!
To make it look really fancy...place the cupcake in a clear plastic cup (I'm thinking the short punch cups). Then wrap it in cellophane and tie it with some pretty ribbon. Attach a little note that says something like "To the 'sweetest' Mom in the world" or "To someone I think is really 'sweet' ".
Or if you have a Silhouette you could make some really cute cupcake cups.
Here's an example of how to package the cupcakes using a plastic cup.


Here's an example of what I'm thinking

If you want to get really cute you could buy some of those 'chinese take-out boxes' (you can find these online for sale) and cover them with some cute cardstock. Place some candy in the bottom (small candy would probably work best) and then place the cupcake down in the center of the cupcake. Add a tag with a cute little saying about being 'sweet' and tie a ribbon onto the handle.
Here's an idea for a little note:
For a Mom that's super 'sweet'
Here's some treats for you to eat!

But if you're looking for something really quick, you could create a card for each child, then have the children write something to their Mother. Have them give their Mother the card and a cupcake.

Here's the link to the cupcake card idea that I saw.

**And if you need a yummy cupcake recipe give these a try. I love these!! It supposed to be a cake, but I made them a few Sundays ago as a cupcake.
Click here for a yummy cupcake recipe.

OK. I think I'm done. I hope these ideas can help you out. I know it's always hard trying to come up with something new for all the wonderful Mothers.
If you have an idea you'd like to share...please do!!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend everyone!!

Jesus Christ was resurrected, and I will be too!: 4th Week Sharing Time for April

Sharing Time Idea from 2011 Primary Outline

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (sharing scripture stories):
Use pictures to briefly tell the story of Jesus' death (see Matthew 27:33-60, Luke 23:33-53, John 19:17-42). Ask the children to think about how Jesus' family and friends must have felt when He died. In advance, ask several children (or adults) to come to Primary prepared to share a story of one of the itnesses of Christ's resurrection, such as
Mary Magdalene (see John 20:11-18),
Peter and John (see John 20:2-10),
the disciples (see John 20:19-22;
Luke 24:33-53),
Thomas (see John 20:24-29),
and the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 11:8-17).
Give them name tags to indicate whose story they are sharing.

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

Here are 2 ideas for this week's sharing time. One is from last year and the other comes from Sugardoodle.

#1. Here's an idea I shared last year that goes along with this week's Theme:

Jesus Christ was Resurrected, and I will be too!

(There's a few different ideas that are shared on this post.)

#2. Yesterday the 1st Counselor in our Primary did the 'Easter Egg Lesson' idea from Sugardoodle.

Here is what she did:

At the front of the Primary room there was a table with different objects. There was also a large bowl with 12 Easter eggs. Each egg was labeled #1-12. Also at the front of the room was a dry-erase board with several Gospel Ark Kit pictures attached (they had to do with the phrases that were in the eggs).

A child was chosen to come to the table and pick an egg (she went in order #1, #2, #3, #4, etc.). The child would open the egg and read the phrase that was inside (it was a scripture). The child then had to pick the object that went with that scripture

example: #1 was where Jesus said 'Let this cup pass from Me.' The object was a cup.

She continued to do this until all 12 eggs had been opened and read. At the end she asked the children why we celebrate Easter and what 'Resurrected' means. The children really enjoyed this Sharing Time, and it really kept their attention. And what better Sunday to do this?!?

Changes:

#1: She just used a regular cup instead of a Sacrament cup.

 #5- she used a crown of thorns. We actually have a crown of thorns in our Primary closet. The children really liked this. They got to see how pokey the thorns were and realized that it would really hurt if this was put on your head and pushed down really hard.

-For Sr. Primary you could have some strips of paper in each egg with the scripture already written and then have some with just the scripture reference and make them look it up. I dont' think you would have time to do that for all of them, but it would be good to do a few like that.

Click here to view the Easter Egg lesson idea from Sugardoodle

There are 2 different ideas that are shared. I think the 1st counselor from my ward used the 2nd.

I hope y'all have a wonderful week and a wonderful Easter!

I have a Mother's Day Idea I will also be sharing in the next few days, so be sure to check back. :)

Through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be Saved: Sharing Time Idea for 3rd week of April

Ideas from the 2011 Sharing Time Outline

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE (memorizing an Article of Faith): Divide the children into groups and give each group a phrase from the third Article of Faith. Have each group stand, in the correct order, and repeat their phrase. Then have the entire Primary stand and repeat the whole Article of Faith.

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (seeing an object lesson): Testify that one way the Atonement of Jesus Christ saves us is that it saves us from sin. Show the children a clear glass of water and explain that it represents a person who is free from sin. Drop a small amount of food coloring in the water. Point out how the food coloring spreads throughout the water and makes it no longer clean. Explain that when we sin, we become unclean, like this water. Then add a few drops of liquid bleach to make the water clean again. Explain that when we repent, the Atonement cleanses us from sin and we are forgiven. Show a picture of Christ in Gethsemane. Let the children share what they know about the picture. Testify of Jesus Christ's love for us and of His willingness to pay the price for our sins.

ENCOURAGE APPLICATION (discussing repentance): Using some of the teaching methods modeled here, teach the children about repentance, which includes feeling sorry, asking for forgiveness, righting the wrong, and not repeating the wrong (Primary 3, 46-49).

Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

This month we will only be attending our Ward 2 out of the 4 Sundays (General Conference & Stake Conference). So we decided to focus on the Atonement and the Resurrection. This last Sunday I did Sharing Time and focused on The Atonement. Here is what I did:

I began my lesson with the idea that was shared in the outline, it was on the side of the page. 

I had someone come to the front to help me out (Jr. Primary I used a teacher & Sr. Primary I used a child).

I had my helper show all the children their clean hands. Then I showed the children some chocolate syrup, I told them that this represented sin. I had my helper hold out their hands and I squirted a little syrup onto their hands and told the children that the other day (child's name) lied to their parent's. Then a few days after that (child's name) cheated at school & I added another glob of syrup. 

Then I asked the children if my helper's hands were clean anymore. They all said, NO.

Then I read 1 Nephi 10:21 (no unclean thing can dwell with God). I said, 'Since (child's name) chose to do bad and is no longer clean does that mean he/she won't be able to live with Heavenly Father again? But none of us are perfect we all sin, so how can we be saved when we sin?'

Then I showed them the 3rd Article of Faith and had them say it aloud. Then I asked what the 3rd Article of Faith says...how can we be saved? (Through the Atonement of Christ).

I had the child wash his/her hands and then explained to the children that because of the Atonement we can repent of our sins and be made clean. I had the child show the others that his/her hands were now clean.

We talked a little bit about repentance and then I showed them GAK picture 230: Christ in the Gaden of Gethsemane: And said "He suffered for our sins so we can Repent and be forgiven. After Jesus Christ prayed and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was arrested. They tied Him up, laughed at Him, spit on Him, and then nailed Him to the cross. Jesus Christ suffered so much pain. Jesus is Heavenly Father’s Son, He is a God and had power over death. He did not have to die, he could have decided that he didn’t want to do that. But He chose to do this, to die, for us!

I then showed the children a clip from 'The Lamb Of God' (I started where the people chose to free Barabbas instead of Jesus and went until Jesus was crucified on the cross; probably around 7-8 mins.).

After the movie I bore testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for us, that he suffered/did all of this for us.

I ended with saying this: While on this earth we are given choices. We can choose to do good things and we can choose to do bad. We won’t always choose the right, so we must remember to always repent when we sin. Because if we don’t repent then we are not clean! We also must remember to obey the laws and ordinances of the gospel, and have faith in Jesus Christ.

I did something similar to this last year and it went so well that I decided to do it again. The Spirit was so strong. I felt that the children would understand better by showing the children our Savior's sacrifice rather than telling them.

I also shared some ideas last year that had this same topic.

Click Here to view them

And another idea on Repentance:

Click Here to view 'I can Repent'

Alright, have a great week and a great Sharing Time!

Jesus Christ is the perfect example for Me: 2nd Week Sharing Time Idea for April

Sharing Time Idea from 2011 Primary Outline

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE (following examples): Sing "Do as I'm doing" (CS, 276) and ask the children to follow you as you do several simple actions, such as clapping your hands, stretching your arms above your head, or marching in place. Ask the children to name some things they have learned by following someone's example (for example, how to make a bed or play a game). Write on the board, "Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me." Testify that Christ was the only person who has lived on the earth who has set a perfect example for us to follow. Have the children read the sentence together.


ENCOURAGE APPLICATION (sharing ideas): Display some pictures of Jesus loving and serving others. Write "Jesus loved everyone" and "Jesus served others" on the board. Draw a heart and a hand beneath these phrases. Tell the children that we should follow Jesus' example by loving and serving others. Give each child a piece of paper and have them draw a heart or trace their hand. Then invite them to write or draw something they can do to follow Jesus' example. Have the children share their ideas with the Primary and place their papers next to the pictures of Jesus. Sing, "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (CS, 78-79).

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

Can you believe it's already April? I can't believe how fast this year has already gone by. We only have 5 weeks until baby #3, well at least that's when the due date is :). We're all excited and can't wait to meet our newest little one.

For this week's Sharing Time I am recycling some old ones. Hope you don't mind :).

I like the idea for 'Identifying the Doctrine' that is given in the outline. You could sing "Do as I'm Doing" or play a short game of  Follow the Leader. Then discuss things they have learned from following other's examples.
Before sharing time type/write one pieces of paper the statement 'Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me' seperate the sentence into 3 seperate phrases (Jesus Christ...is the perfect example....for me, etc). Then have a few children come up to the front. Have one hold a picture of Christ and the others hold up your 'sentence signs'.
Have the children repeat the sentence with you. You could have children wearing blue read the first sign, children wearing red read the second sign, and so on.
Talk about Christ and why he was the perfect example.

And here are my 'recycled' ideas.
The first one is a board game that you could play that talks about Jesus Christ and the example he was to us.
Click Here to read/view this idea.
For the second idea you will have different pictures of how Christ served posted around the Primary room. For each picture you will have an object that goes with each picture. A child will come and choose an object and then guess which picture it goes with. After they have guessed the picture you can discuss it.
Click Here to read/view this idea.

Alright, that's all I have. :) Hope they can be of some help. Have a great week and a great Sharing Time.