donkey races and cutting crafts... must be a Sunday

About a month ago we ended up with a crazy convoluted few weeks - different work and school schedules, local holidays, work travel (Matt), etc - and realized that one week we would 'miss' Sunday.

So we decided we'd have our own little church service on a Saturday morning and let the kids plan the whole thing.  Matt and I selected a verse (Leviticus 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself) and a story (the Good Samaritan).

I also assigned responsibilities.

John Paul: the songs
Luke: the hand motions for the songs
Isaac: the play
Lydia: the game
Julianna: the craft

John Paul excels at singing.  Actually, he's not a good singer, he excels at telling other people what to sing.  He did an terrific job as song leader.  

Luke is your standard toddler - give him a few hand motions and he'll catch on quick.  Perfect sidekick for John Paul's stint as worship leader.

Isaac directed a pretty hilarious Good Samaritan play.  All seven of us had a role. John Paul insisted he was a cow (not standard for the Good Samaritan but worked just fine alongside the donkey).

Lydia's game? Donkey races.  Picture all five kids (ahem, donkeys) lined up on their hands and knees at one edge of the living room.  Matt (acting as the injured traveler.... lying on the floor on the far edge of the carpet) would say "oh I'm hurt, who can help me? who can be the first to help? [Dramatic Pause] on your mark, get set, go" and the donkeys would race to Matt.

We're lucky we didn't have any injuries.  And I hope you understand why there are no pictures of the fun. 

For the craft Julianna made a donkey pattern and a man pattern. 

Lyds and Isaac traced and cut out and colored and then - with excessive amounts of tape - created a donkey and rider.

If you bent the donkey's legs correctly he would even stand up. 

This portion of the morning was easier to photograph.  John Paul busy with crayons and Luke laying low, probably waiting for an unattended pair of scissors to snatch. 

Such a fun way to celebrate and worship together.  And a neat way to let each of them exercise a little responsibility over 'their' portion of the morning!