"I am Light" Back to School 2020 Feast

Do you do Back to School Feasts?  I got the idea from nieniedialgues and Katie Hough at thehugheshouse.  It makes it feel like a special occasion and sets the tone for the year. We could definitely use a reset at this point in quarantine.  This is our 4th year doing them.  Maybe I'll blog about our other 4 years and link them here:

 2019 "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded" focus on Strength of Youth topic each month, Liahona keychain

2018 "Strengthen Home and Family" focus on The Family Proclamation topics of successful families, family tree keychain, The Redheaded Hostess had a great resource I would use to teach the topics each month 

2017 "BElive THEre if GOOD in the World" emphasis on President Hickley's Way to Be Be topics, Beehive keychain

We usually try to choose a theme that is something we need to focus or work on, then I use it for family home evening topics about once a month through the year.  I give them a keychain for their backpack (or later a charm necklace or bracelet for the girls)

 This year we chose "I am Light" as our focus so we can try to focus on sharing the positive and being a light to those around us and letting light into our own lives.  I usually put it in a frame in the main room and each of their bedrooms, sometimes one in the bathroom too so they can see it often and remember what we're focusing on.

David Archeleta recorded a version of I am light on youtube but there are other versions also.  I played it for my kids as well as some other songs about light.

 We had a rainbow smorgasbord of healthy and not healthy options for dinner, literally just whatever I could find in my fridge, I didn't buy anything for it!  Katie Houghs found tons of rainbow vases and put tea light in them I decided to use the vases I had and add food coloring to the water in rainbow colors.  It looks so pretty in the sunlight I can't bring myself to dump them yet.  We used our fancy goblets and had soda (usually I do sparkling cider).

After we have a family home evening lesson on the theme and back to school schedules, establishing a good routine, and balancing our responsibilities, expectations, worries, how to be safe online this year etc.  I had a quote for each kid to read and explain to the group. and we each wrote about some light we see in each family member, including themselves, on post its then shared them- we will add to these as we notice them sharing their light.  I take the chance to talk to each kid at bedtime as well and say a special prayer with them individually.

Excited for the new year and a new routine even if it is online for now!