Must Have Accessories of the Season

Some of Matthew's many
Thanksgiving project's
from preschool.

Gratitude Turkey

My friend, Heather, has given me yet another wonderful idea. That's right - the "Gratitude Turkey". It is simple really. I made a turkey and put in on the wall. Each member of the family was given a supply of color coded feathers. We just write down something for which we are grateful and tape it to the wall behind the turkey. I introduced it at FHE a couple of weeks ago and as you can see from the photo, it has been a huge success. Spencer (red) and Matthew (green) have been counting their blessings left and right. The only thing keeping it from covering the whole wall is my inability to keep up with the demand for feathers. We ran out of construction paper at one point. (If anyone wants the patterns, I am happy to email them.)

Slacker Mom Thank You Notes

Making sure my kids get out their thank you notes after birthdays and Christmases has never been my strength. I haven't really gotten over my own dreaded thank you note writing experiences as a child. It's not because I wasn't grateful. I was. I just didn't know what to do with the three quarters of the page that remained glaringly blank after I wrote my brief thank you. This of course does not excuse my historically spotty record of getting the kids' notes out. And trust me I have beat myself up about it plenty. But no more!

I have recently discovered my thank you note salvation...fill-in-the-blank thank you notes. I kind of think of them as thank you notes with training wheels. For example, here is one I made for the boys' birthdays.

I filled in the "for" line and they each wrote their own names. I figure as they get older, I can modify the design to give them room to write a little more. But no overwhelmingly blank pages staring back at them (and me). Plus I can have them printed out and ready to go before the birthday, Christmas or whatever the occasion.

Apparently, these have been around for a while, but they are news to me. It may not be the ideal way of doing thank you notes, but it is going to save me a lot of stress and guilt. Friends and family will actually receive an expression of our gratitude, which I think is the most important thing. And as a bonus, my boys had a lot of fun filling them in and sending them off. With a bit of luck, this little discovery will spare my children and theirs from years of thank you note failures.

Just a picture...

that I took today while I was raking leaves with Matthew and Emmarsyn. I thought it was cute so I am posting it.

Two Heroes and a Ladybug

Better Late Than Never

Here are Spencer's responses to his first annual birthday interview. The interview was actually done on time - just the posting is delayed.

How old are you? 6
Who is your best friend? Eli Moss
What is your favorite thing to do? Play with Star Wars toys.
What is your favorite color? Red
What is your favorite food? Tilapia
What do you like to do with your family? Play outside.
What is your favorite toy? Obi-wan Kenobi
What do you want to be when you grow up? A skyscraper designer.
What makes you happy? Lunchtime except when it is macaroni and cheese.
What makes you sad? When you spank me.
What is your favorite show to watch? Star Wars – Return of the Jedi
What is your favorite book? Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems
What do you love to learn about? Science
What was the best part of your birthday? Following the string all over the house to find my birthday money.
Where do you like to go? Walmart or Target to look at the new Millennium Falcon toy.
Who is your teacher? Miss Shelley
What was your favorite birthday present? Aquaraiders Anglerfish