Happiness Happens

Happy Happiness Happens Day (August 8th)!!!

Isn't it true?  It's easy to look at the world veiled in darkness (Isaiah 60:2) and become discouraged.  It's important to help our kids recognize the light and happiness in their lives.

This week: 
Start each day with the catchy primary song:

If you chance to meet a frown 
Do not let it stay
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away. 

No one likes a frowny face
Change it for a smile. 
Make the world a better place
By smiling all the while!

Happiness in Art
Make a Happiness Tree!  Have the kids put leaves on the tree as they recognize things around them that make them happy. 

And/or...

Catch  your kids being happy this week!  Assign each child a leaf color and when you catch them being happy, place their color on the tree!  They could also do this for one another to create sibling closeness and to foster eagle eyes for goodness rather than critical  judgement (needed at our home!). 

Science of Happiness
Did you know it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile?   Is this just a saying to get kids to smile or is there truth in this statement.  Read this and then see if your kids can figure out the true answer!

Act of Random Kindness
Smiley face a neighbor's house.  Dot their home with smiley faces and notes of gratitude and happiness.

Math Happiness
Can math make you happy?  Sure - - it it's tied to family history.  Try using Moses 6 as a math lesson.  Have the kids calculate the ages of the early prophets and their sons (side note:  parents, be sure to remove the answers from the verses).  Then, take some time to do age calculations for your own ancestors.  I guarantee...this will make you happy!

Devotional Topic
2 Ne. 5:27 describes the Nephites as living "after the manner of happiness."  What does this mean?  As you search the verses before this, what can you find that the Nephites did to create a happy environment?
* you may also want to review Elder Marlin K. Jensen's talk on this subject

Above all, just choose to SMILE this week!!