Rose & Bob - our Kindness Elves

The kids have been asking for several years for an "Elf on the Shelf".  Well those are fun but not really useful in bringing to light the true spirit of Christmas.  So I saw these "kindness elf" ideas going around and thought what a great idea!  So we decided to bring some to life and they arrived this year the beginning of December with this note:

Christmas 2017

Hello, Ryerse Kids – Emma, Callahan, Lucy, Coverton & Sydnie!

Merry Christmas!  Santa sent us from the North Pole to be your family’s elves.  But we’re not regular “elf on the shelf” elves. Those elves are for children that need help being good.  But we are special Kindness Elves because Santa knows you’re all already trying to be good.  We’re here to help spread Christmas light and love…and we know you can help us! The Savior said “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).  Can you help us spread Jesus’ light to all? 

First we need some names.  Please think of something good together and name us!

Each night while you’re asleep, we’ll try to think of ways you can spread kindness.  Sometimes we can be silly and sometimes we are sweet.  You’ll have to find us each morning (because we freeze when daytime comes).  You can squeeze us and kindly touch us, but don’t pick us up or we’ll get lost and confused!  Each day, complete the challenge we give you, please, to make the world a better place! 

Santa will pick us back up on Christmas Eve when he comes to deliver your presents.  We can’t wait to report back to Santa all the good you have done this Christmas season!  Thanks for following Jesus Christ’s example and lighting the world together!

Love,

     ____________________  & ________________________

Immediately, Lucy thought of the name "Rose" for the girl since her cheeks are so rosy and Emma agreed and Coverton said "Bob" for the boy, but Cal said he likes "Mr. Ryerse".  So sometimes he's Bob and sometimes he's Mr. Ryerse and sometimes Mr. Bob Ryerse.

Each day, our kindness elves bring us one of the challenges from the #Light the World initiative.  And they are doing whatever goes along with that day.  The kids can't wait to wake up each morning (fastest they've ever woken up in their lives!) and see where they are and what they're doing and they are so excited to do the service challenge!  When the kids complete the task, their challenge slips go in a box under our tree as a gift to Jesus.  

We've had such a great time trying to focus on what's really important and letting our lights so shine!  Lucy talked about how good it felt to help others and she knows Rose is happy too.  One day, after Cov brought some freezer meals over to a neighbor of ours whose wife just passed away, I was telling him thank you for coming with me and let him know that his smile made Mr. Anderson's night.  He said "Jesus makes me smile.  He makes me smile all of the time."  I love Christmas, and I love that Jesus does make us happy!  And when we do what Jesus would have us do, we are truly happy!  Not just this time of year, but always we can have that spirit of Christmas that makes us smile.  

One night, Lucy left a sweet letter to Rose.  "Dear Rose, I love you.  You are a good elf.  You're like our family now.  Love, Lucy"  Ohhh...bursting with sweetness!  After that, she always said "It's like they're a member of our family now!"

The kids did great serving others each day, and when we got back from Christmas break in Utah, they found this note on the Christmas tree.  Since then, they've been doing all they can to help others and keep on lighting the world, though Christmas is past.  Keep that light shining, little ones!

Dear Ryerse Children –

Oh, what a great December it’s been here with you all!  We really are a part of your family now!  We are so excited to tell Santa all about the wonderful things you did to serve your fellow men – at home and away from home!  You are such great children and hope that even though Christmas is over, you’ll find ways to serve always.  That’s when the real smiles come, when we help others!  That’s what Jesus did and we hope you light the world all of the time through your words and deeds like He did.  We love you all and already can’t wait to see you again next Christmas!  Until then…

Love,
Bob & Rose

 

 

Christmas Card 2017 - Cute as a button

Wishing you JOY this Christmas season and throughout the new year!

Just as the ornament’s round shape has no end, the Savior of the World has a love for all of us that does not end.  His love for us all is eternal.  Never forget that and celebrate and share His love always!

Much love,

Dave, Melanie, Emma, Cal, Lucy, Covey and Sydnie

Ryerse Rant 2017

Dave – Toiling away at the hospital here. Enjoys it overall and has made some huge improvements but knows there’s still much to do.  Serving as Elder’s Quorum president.  Became the master gardener this past summer. Travels often for work, his favorite spot was Nashville and he got to visit Spokane/Pullman Washington for a WSU football game and a visit with friends.

Melanie –Has a high noise tolerance. Likes crafting during bed time. Serves as Primary counselor.  Got to perform with the Prairie Symphonette a few times this year.  Gave birth to fifth and final baby. Participated in the “Dirty Shame Show” variety show here.  Teaches piano. Helps with Scouts. Looks forward to date nights.

Emma – Went swimming almost every day this summer.  Enjoys playing the trumpet and piano.  Has fun playing with our cat Jazzy.  Has sleepovers with friends many weekends.  Likes reading, sketching, drawing comic strips, writing stories and DIY crafts.

Callahan – Started gymnastics in January and decided he wants to be a gymnast when he grows up. Also did soccer and swimming. Loves watching football with Dad. Enjoys playing with his friends. Likes playing games, especially chess, card games and Minecraft or Roblox.

Lucy – Did some cheerleading last spring and gymnastics this fall. Has a ball doing her own and other’s makeup and nails.  Always has something funny to say and is completely honest.  She likes making pictures and cards for others.  Has a very vivid imagination and uses it.

Coverton – Loves making funny sounds or voices and trying to do anything to make us laugh. Learning how to read and write and enjoys one-on-one time with Mommy. Started joy preschool. Loves all things sports, TV, and cars. Looking forward to school next year.

Sydnie – Made her debut August 1^st weighing in at 6lbs., 8 oz and measuring 19 inches long.  She is a sweetheart that has brought so much joy to our family!  She is a very loved little gal by her older siblings and mom and dad, of course.

As a family, we put in our first successful garden, landscaped the backyard, traveled to Medora, ND/Teddy Roosevelt National Park for our summer vacation, and became a family of 7.

Our little sweetie is 4 months old

Sydnie is 4 months!

Started rolling over

Popped her first tooth through barely

Taking an interest to toys

Enjoys watching herself and smiling at herself in the mirror

Biggest smiles reserved for Daddy

Weight: 12.2 lbs., Height 23.5 inches

Fanstastic! Callahan is 9

Callahan is officially nine!  Nine?  Whaaa?  So he's been counting down all month to his birthday, so excited for it all!  We woke up and had a yummy breakfast and sang to him.  He was so ready to get to school.  At lunch time, we joined him to eat and brought some homemade maple donuts for his class.  We also got to go out and play with him at recess.  I love how he was surrounded by girls during most of recess.  He was playing ball with the boys, but then the girls asked him to play tag, so he consented.  Cov had fun with that, too.  Of course, Cal hates his picture being taken, but his friends were willing to smile, haha.  He is quite the ladies man at school, wink wink.  Then we got home to decorate a bit for that day.  When he got home, we relaxed and watched a show, had Monte Cristo sandwiches for dinner, looked at his baby book, opened presents, played some games and had a "donut cake".  It just so happened that it was Cal's turn to stay up late with me.  So we watched some Studio C videos and played some board games.  This crazy kid is so fun and good!  

The weekend after his birthday, we had a friend sleepover party.  Cal really wanted a gymnastics birthday.  This is what the invitations said: "Tumble, flip, jump and run On over for some birthday fun! You’re invited to Callahan’s fantastic 9^th gymnastics birthday sleepover party.  Friday, December 1 at 6 p.m. to Saturday December 2 at 10 a.m.  (Dinner and breakfast served)  Please bring your sleeping bag and pillow and get ready for some tumbling fun*  *No gymnastics skills required."

We decorated with a Happy Birthday sign, balloons and gymnastics silhouettes all over.  First, we watched a video of different men's gymnastics events.  This inspired the boys to take off their shirts...show offs!  ;)  Then we did activities for each of the events.  For the warm up – balance partner challenges, floor routine – dance party, parallel bars – trying to handstand across two pieces of tape on the ground, rings – Donut on a string game, balance beam – doing tricks and balancing on  wood beam on the floor, vault – slime making as it bounces and is flexible and bendy. For dinner, we had pizza, green salad, mixed fruit and pop.  The boys also went and made their own "spooky" videos and played night games in the backyard.  We opened presents and Cal got some fun boy things like Legos and balls, he was most excited about the Bean Boozled jelly beans, which they played.  Then they watched a movie, the new Spiderman movie.  Some stayed up after that wanting to watch another movie, some crashed, some played games.  I think the last fell asleep around 2 a.m.  There was lots of screaming and laughing and bodily noises, they are fun and crazy boys! 

The boys slept in until about 8 and then were ready to play again.  For breakfast in the morning, Cal requested chocolate waffles, which were a huge hit with the boys! They played outdoors and inside and then the parents came.  During the afternoon, we were looking around for Cal, and couldn't find him.  Then we finally found him in his bed.  Cal had a nice long nap that afternoon.  :)

As we sang "Happy birthday" to him, I love how all of the boys sang "Happy birthday, dear Ryerse".  I knew the last name thing would start, but I wasn't thinking it would be until he was a teenager.  Another sign that he's growing up way too fast!

Some of Cal's favorite things at 9...

In his spare time: Play with friends
Best friends: Kolten, Wilk, Carter, Torsten, Aydan,Angelo
Favorite color: Green and blue
Favorite books: Captain Underpants, Dogman
Favorite food: Pizza, Monte Cristo sandwiches
Favorite treat: Brownies 
Favorite drink: Root beer, Sprite, cream soda
Favorite vegetable: Cucumber
Favorite fruit: Banana
Favorite thing to play with: Lucy, Covey & Emma
Favorite toy: Legos 
Favorite subject at school: P.E. 
Favorite TV show: Thundermans, King Julian
Favorite movie: Despicable Me movies
Favorite song: White & Nerdy by Wierd Al, Gethsemane
Favorite board game: Fantastic Gymnastics, Chess, Creation card game
Favorite video game: Roblox
Favorite season: Fall because you get to play football
Favorite animal: Cougars, cats, turtles
Favorite sport: Gymnastics & football
Thing he's best at: Gymnastics
Favorite outdoor activity: Make movies and videos with friends
Favorite indoor activity: Hide & Go Seek
Wants to be when he grows up: Professional gymnast

Cal is very sensitive and has a good heart.

Hates getting his picture taken.  

Starting to get a little more of a temper as of late.  We're working on controlling that.

Very physical and loves to always be moving...running, hopping, rolling, flipping, cartwheeling everywhere.

Enjoys watching college football with Daddy and is always asking him "Which team are we voting for?"

Likes playing sports of all types, especially gymnastics (obviously) and football.  We tried to get him to do gymnastics from the time he was little, but he just kept saying "nope, I'm holding out for football!" and told us at first gymnastics was for girls.  I think he changed his mind.

Rides his bike whenever he can.  Working on looking both ways every time, not just some times.

Still has very dry skin.  We've found a few things that work okay for him, but poor guy is dry as a desert.  When he takes of his clothes, little white flakes fall off.

He's a great student, and particularly excels in math, reading and P.E.  Working on slowing down and double checking his work this year.

Callahan is loving Cub Scouts, he particularly loved day camp this past summer.

His prayers are so heart-felt.  Lately, he's really seen that prayers have impact for others and it's been praying for everyone with cancer, as Aunt Shirley has been battling it, and a little boy, Christian at school whose Mom died recently. 

He is a good friend to others and has some great friends he plays with.  Everywhere we go, we can tell how much kids really like Callahan.  

Cal is very unselfish and often gives things to others he really likes or lets others go first, etc.