Scrapbook of Family Fun

When five-year-old Richard appeared wearing a grin and a paper coat-of-arms that said “The King’s Messenger,” we knew we had another page for our family book of memories. He presented each family member with an envelope containing another coat-of-arms proclaiming, “Ye Olde Family Home Evening—Knights and Ladies—Contests of Skill—Prizes and Eats for All—7:00 P.M. Monday.”

On Monday, we found that “the king” (my husband) had prepared an especially imaginative program for us. Everyone—from teenagers to toddlers—enjoyed such events as Dragon’s Tail, Jousting Strength, Rope-loop Toss, Small Lance Thrust, Stone Throw, and Pence Pitch. True to his word, “the king” provided prizes and eats (Black Forest sundaes) for all.

This is only one of the family activities we have preserved in our looseleaf binder of family memories. When an activity has been particularly successful, we save or record the details so we can do it again. Items placed in the scrapbook may include visual aids, object lesson ideas, printed invitations or programs, and photographs.

A glance through our scrapbook reveals a flip-chart on nutrition, ticket stubs from our homemade carnival, a program from a special Easter worship service, a reminder of the time we went “trick or treating” in Australia (we had been living there for several years and, homesick for an American Halloween, we dressed up and took treats to our Australian friends), notes from a treasure hunt, a poem written by a family member, and a page listing favorite games, activities, and songs. You might also want to include recipes, patterns, or skit ideas.—Donette V. Ockey, Bountiful, Utah

Illustrated by Lapine/Overy