Freedom Friday Program

We have spent a lot of time this August doing fun family activities. For example, we hiked the Bird Song Trail, went swimming, and spent an afternoon and evening at Grandma Peaden's time-share condo.

During this entire summer, Austin and I have been going to meet with a fun group of families once a week for "Freedom Friday." Our time with them has been spent learning about the history of this country from the time of the colonies to the time of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. Each Friday there has been a lesson, activities, play time, and singing time during which we have practiced for a program. It has been a great experience for Austin, who has especially enjoyed the time he has spent there with other children.

The Freedom Friday Program was held Saturday morning. Austin worked very hard to learn the songs, the motto, and the scripture theme during the summer, and it all paid off when he had fun being part of the program.

Singing "The Ride of Paul Revere" while making galloping horse sounds

If you listen carefully to these songs, you can hear Austin singing the lines after the rest of the group has finished them. He isn't very good at singing with people yet. But he tries.

Austin ended up providing a lot of comic relief for everyone during the program. We especially found his marching funny during "The Declaration of Independence" song. His moves reminded Nate of a rain dance.

Later, while singing "We The People," he suddenly decided he wanted to sit up front at the edge of the stage. At least we could still see his face when he did this; at other times he stood out front with his back to the audience while watching all the other kids on the stage.

 

Below is a picture of everyone after the program, with the amazing woman who organized and coordinated it all, Melissa, standing in the middle.

Austin also worked hard memorizing the motto and scripture theme for the summer. (These were also recited by the group during the program, although we didn't get a video of it.) Here is Austin reciting them at home:

Saturday afternoon Austin wrapped up another summer accomplishment when we stopped by Barnes and Noble to turn in his summer reading list. He read the required eight books (and then some) this summer including Cat in the Hat, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and Little Critter: Going to the Firehouse.  His efforts earned him a free book. He picked out The Mouse and the Motorcycle.