Because our family consists of two very young boys, our FHE's are short. Baby C (three months old) is typically asleep or eating. His participation will become more mandatory as he gets bigger. The rest of us gather on the couch and start by singing songs. Awesome (our two year old) picks the songs (usually The Wise Man and the Foolish Man and The Wheels on the Bus).
After we sing, my husband or I give an under five minute lesson. We like to use the Gospel Art book as our manual. We find a picture, tell the story, and/or relate a Gospel principle to the picture. For example, the other night I used the picture of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane and taught about obedience.
After the lesson we usually sing another song and then say a prayer. We typically do our activity after the prayer. The activity is also pretty simple. We get on the floor and play trucks mostly. We have also made treats and watched movies.
Our FHEs are not perfect; we don't all sit there quietly and happily, but it's nice to be together and I feel that the Gospel seeds we are planting are important and will help shape the lives of our young boys. I want to thank Heather for this series on her blog. I have really enjoyed pondering on FHE and how I would like to improve things in my home. I really feel our efforts matter and this is one of the simple things that will "make great things come to pass" (see Alma 37:6).
