Primary Activity Days to Preston

I convinced Dave that we should take the Activity Days kids to the Preston Temple/MTC during their school holidays because they usually never get to go and it will be a fun trip for them to do something out of the ordinary. So we got permission from the Primary President and the Bishop. We made all the arrangements, I called the MTC (Missionary Training Center) and Dave called the Temple, then we bought food for lunch.

First, we went to the Japanese Garden at the Avenham Park to see the plaques honoring the first converts and missionaries of the church in England.

Second, eat lunch at the visitor's center.

Third, let them wander around the Distribution Center.

Fourth, do a crossword puzzle about the Preston Temple on temple grounds.

Fifth, tour the MTC.

Sixth, play cricket on the missionary field.

Go Home.

In between all the bathroom breaks and fighting, the kids reported back to their parents that they loved it! I was surprised because Dave and I had to break up multiple fights. Kid #1 is annoying, he knows it and it REALLY bothers kid #2. Kid #1 is leaving Primary and going into Young Mens at the the end of the month, so Dave and I are really excited Activity Days and Primary Opening Exercises will be peaceful once he is gone! I had a chat with kid #2 letting him know that he really shouldn't hit/fight with kid #1 and quoted Alma 31:5 "the preaching of the word had a ... more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword", so he should use his words more. When I chatted with kid #1, I reminded him there are YM that are meaner and stronger than him that will beat the crap out of him if he bugs them. He just nodded his head that he remembers when these YM use to do it when they were in Primary. I thought that would be it and we wouldn't have anymore major fights while kid #1 was in Primary,... no luck. Today I was teaching the Sunday School lesson for them because their normal teacher is on vacation. Kid #1 was annoying kid #2, so kid #2 yelled at kid #1 and called him names. So I took kid #2 to his Father and told him what he did so the Dad could deal with it. Kid #2 left his scriptures in the classroom, so after Sunday School I found kid #2 and reminded him no yelling or name calling at church. He looked so frustrated about having to deal with kid #1. I do feel bad for him that in 2 years he will have to be in YM's with kid #1 because chances are kid #1 will NEVER learn how to not be annoying.