Hero Highlights of the Boys Week

My theme this year for the boys was about heroes. I used the HoneyWord Bible and had a couple of devotional times to wind everyone down at times. I challenged each of them to memorize the verses Ephesians 6:13 & 16 while they were with us and within the first day, 2 of them had it down pat. The other two followed in the next day and everyone received crazy bands each time they said the verse. It really was a delight to see them take it so seriously and want to learn it. "Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
I had the table set with maps of Alabama since we focused some on heroes in Alabama plus it made for some great table conversations and each one found names of places that had to do with heroes in our history. They got a kick out of their individual hero toys on the table too.
It was easy to cover the tables with newspaper when we did crafts and while we worked on things they would eagerly repeat their verse to me and were thrilled to see that it is fun to learn something new even in the summer time at Lolli and Pops! I did not want it to be like a VBS even though my activity planning leans to that side. But I do want to emphasize to them how important God's word is in everyday living and how it can be learned in a fun way. I guess you could say my highlight of the week among many was seeing them learn the verses with enthusiasm:)
Our cardboard playing resulted in some hero action outside :)

lining up for sunscreen application before we headed to the pool
playing with Corey's floating basketball goal at the pool

painting individual fish for the upcoming Luau decorations and Chad painting "Michael W. Smith " on his fish..(he LOVES Michael W. Smith!)
seeing Toy Story 3 in 3D and eating movie theater popcorn together (the movie even had its own hero highlights in it)

To emphasize our verse about the shield of faith and learning about God's armor, we made cardboard shields and they wore hero capes made out of each of their daddy's old shirts and I got them foam swords!!!
oh boy! did they have fun playing "hero war" over and over with the foam swords and home made shields and capes -(I am happy to report that nothing got broken this week)
Brendan and his very creative shield-this was his favorite part of the week! He constantly asked could they play war!
visiting our friends, The Plumbs' massive arrowhead collection-we talked about some of the Indian heroes here.

learning about George Washington Carver and the peanut and how he was hero of his time. I like his saying, "All we need ...is to set the creative mind to work."
Booker T. Washington was part of our Tuskegee tour too. He opened the doors for opportunity to so many and his heroic legend lives on.


Corey folding a parachute at the Tuskegee Airmen Hanger 1
Harrison at the Airmen Hanger at Moton Field learning there are many heroes in the history of Alabama
Breakfast with the younger two while the older ones slept in
and a big highlight having nothing to do with heores was Fudgesicles several times a day!