FHE "Secret Service Agents"

We had a great Family Home Evening tonight! The boys really participated and enjoyed the lesson and that made for a very pleasant evening. Don't get me wrong, little Austin still ran around in circles and tried everything he could think of to distract his older brothers by making them laugh (little stinker), but overall it was a great night. I adapted this lesson on service with the amazing story of the Candy Bomber. Now you can see why my boys were so into this lesson. What little boy doesn't love bombers and candy? And if you can combine the 2 even better! So we read the story and we talked about service and then Brett and I challenged the boys to perform a secret act of service for a member of our family. When the service is completed, they get to leave a heart that says "You've been served" behind. Erik said it was like being "Secret Service Agents" How cool is that. So I will be watching for little hearts to start popping up all over our house this week. Then for dessert....Brett's favorite....the best Texas Sheet Cake ever!

Texas Sheet Cake from Allrecipes

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 cup butter
1 cup water
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

6 tablespoons milk
5 tablespoons unsweetened
cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15 inch pan.
2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in the sour cream, then beat in the eggs. Set aside. In a saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the water and 5 tablespoons cocoa. Bring mixture to a boil then remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then stir cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing until blended.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. For the icing: In a large saucepan, combine the milk, 5 tablespoons cocoa and 1/2 cup butter. Bring to a bowl, then remove from heat. Stir in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, then fold in the nuts, mixing until blended. Spread frosting over warm cake.

*There is a picture book called "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot" that tells the story of Col. Halvorsen (the candy bomber) I have it on hold at the library and I am going to read it to my children this week. Check it out!