Thanksgiving

The month of thanksgiving is a month focused on thankfulness. On facebook, on our blogs, in our emails, our FHE lessons, at church, etc we talk about things we are thankful for.

But I have found with my children and with other kids that the words, "Thank You" are being said less and less. Why is it being said less? I had a couple of experiences with my kids that reminded me about the importance of saying thank you and in my opinion why it is being said less.

The first was with my daughter. She is only 8 and wanted me to curl her hair before school. I did it and it looked probably the best and cutest it ever has. When I was done, she took one look at it and said, "I can't believe you made me look so ugly". I was crushed. Not only had I taken time to do it, but I woke up early to do it. I felt personally so sad that my daughter not only didn't like it, but she was rude, and didn't even thank me for doing it in the first place. I can't remember acting that way when I was little. She starting ripping out what I had done and messing up the cute little curls.

Her Dad came in and saw what had happened and saw my face. He immediately told her to stop, that he was sorry she didn't like her hair, but it was done and she was wearing it that way. Not only did he help stop it, but then he told her that mom would not be doing her hair again until she apoligized and told me thank you for doing it. She still hasn't and of course I haven't touched her hair. I respected my husband for helping me with this issue. I am grateful that he doesn't let the kids plow over me with disrespect.

The next was with my kids trick or treating. They started out demanding which kind they wanted or saying I don't like that. I was so appalled. Immediately I told them to say thank you. At every house they would get candy and I would make them turn around and say thank you. Soon I didn't need to ask and they would do it.

It got me thinking that the reasons why are kids are saying please and thank you less is because we are not teaching them to do it. We are not expecting that they do it. WOW! I try and teach them respect by teaching them to say Aunt Somebody or Mr. Someone instead of their first name, but do I really have them say please and thank you much? no.

As I watched I realized most of the time I am to busy to mess with it. I am on the phone and they say I want water, so I give it to them and don't wait for a response when they get it.

A couple of years ago a young cub scout came to my door with a thank you note that he had written. What a novel idea to teach your young kids by teaching them to write a thank you note.

I also have a cute little reading tutor that gives a thank you note for anything you ever give her. This fall I have given her lots and lots of produce. Our family was thanked each time with a cute note. That was good for my kids to see how happy it makes you when someone else says thank you.

So this month along with focusing on being thankful, I am going to focus on teaching my kids about SAYING thank you and meaning it. I am going to take the time to teach them this, and I am going to teach them all kinds of manners so they can grow up to be successful, polite adults.

Thanksgiving Fingerplays & Songs

Sung to: "If You're Happy and You Know It

"Hello, Mr. Turkey how are you?

Hello, Mr. Turkey, how are you?

With a gobble, gobble, gobble,

And a wobble, wobble, wobble.Hello,

Mr. Turkey, how are you?

Five Little Turkeys

Five little turkeys by the barn door ,

One waddled off, then there were four.

Four little turkeys out under the tree,

One waddled off, then there were three.

Three little turkeys with nothing to do.

One waddled off, then there were two.

Two little turkeys in the noonday sun,

One waddled off, then there was one.

One little turkey - better run away!

Soon will come Thanksgiving Day.

Indians and Pilgrims Sung to: "row, row, row your boat"

beat, beat, beat the drum,

beat it loud and clear.

to tell brave Indians everywhere

that hunting time is near
cut, cut ,cut the logs,

make them long and short

to help the pilgrims build a house

a warm and friendly fort

Being Thankful!

My daughter and I started a fun little experiment today. We got a journal and we are naming 10-15 things every night that we are thankful for. And we are not repeating. We will be going until Thanksgiving. She is only 6 and it was so cute to see her little list: mostly family members, but she didn't forget the Tramp, Turkeys, and of course her teacher). What a cutie!

So try your own experiment and see how many different things you (or your child) is thankful for!

In the past we have used turkey feathers, but they always get thrown away when we are done with them. This way I can keep them forever.

Happy Thanksgiving All!

I am so excited for the holidays to come. I hope you have a great holiday. I can't wait for Thanksgiving. I am one of those people that loves to have Thanksgiving come so I can put my Christmas decorations up. My husband makes me wait until then. I have already counted 5 trees that people already have up in their homes. I am so jealous. I hope you try some of the ideas that I have listed or try a website for different ideas, so you can have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Games!

Chopstick Pass Along:

WHAT YOU NEED:
Chopsticks
Unshelled walnut
Acorn
Cranberry
Pea
Small plate HOW TO PLAY: Give each player a set of chopsticks and place an unshelled walnut, an acorn, a cranberry, and a pea on a small plate next to the oldest player. She begins by using the chopsticks to pass each object, from largest to smallest, to the person on her right, who receives it with chopsticks and passes it along to the next player. The object is to try to get all four objects back to the starting plate without dropping any of them. Players unable to manage the chopsticks can use a teaspoon instead.

Where Did the Turkey Lay Its Egg?
The leisurely pace of Turkey Day can be challenging for small celebrants. Keep spirits high with this fun game. Try it post-dessert -- adults can play while collapsed on the living room sofa.

WHAT YOU NEED:
Hard-boiled egg

HOW TO PLAY: To start, one guest leaves the room while a hard-boiled egg is hidden. The others then call the seeker back and direct him toward the egg, saying "gobble, gobble" instead of "warmer" and "giblet, giblet" instead of "colder." Once the egg is found, a new seeker is named, and the game repeats.

Paper Golf Game
The simplicity of this game is its charm. Since everyone has the same handicap--eyes closed--they can be competitive with the likes of Tiger Woods.
WHAT YOU NEED:
Paper
Marker

HOW TO PLAY: 1. Create a "fairway" on a standard-sized piece of paper--a shape that is the boundary for the tee-off area and hole. Draw a small circle (the hole) at one end of the fairway. 2. Place the marker point down at the tee (the other end of the fairway), close your eyes and try to draw a line to the hole. Lift your marker and open your eyes. That's your "shot." (If you strayed outside the boundaries, add a stroke.) The next player then tees off on the same sheet.3. As with actual golf, the player farthest from the hole shoots first, and your score is the number of shots it takes you to reach the cup. Play nine holes or even 18 like the pros.

Table Ideas for Thanksgiving!

I have always loved to help my kids do something special with the table for Thanksgiving. Here are some ideas of things I have done in the past:

1. Place mats: I love to do place mats with brown paper bags. You can make turkeys on it, by using your kids hand. Paint each finger a different color. Then put it on your place mat and make a print of it. When it dries you can use markers, or something to draw a face and make a turkey. I also love to dress my kids like a pilgrim or Indian and put their picture on it. After everything is dry and glued on then wad it into a ball. Then smooth out and it looks like leather. Ink the edges with a stamp. Then laminate. Eat with it on Thanksgiving Day!

Don't forget the Date, and Name of your kid! This will always be a great memory for you.

2. Name Cards: It is so easy to print name cards for all of your guests (or grandmas guests) for Thanksgiving dinner. Then give each of your children a stack and let them decorate around the name. It will keep them busy while you need a break!

3. Individual Centerpieces: Sometimes we decide to make each person a little take home treat or thought. One idea is taking a sugar cone and steaming the end of it with a boiling pan of water, and turning it so it curves up like a cornucopia. When it dries you fill it with Runt candy, candy corns, etc. Put one at every persons seat.

4. I have also done this mix a few times:

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.

I put them in a bag and then printed up a cute card with the blessing above. It took a little bit of time. If you don't have time, you can have it already done for you by going to this site:

http://organizedchristmas.com/thanksgiving-blessing-mix

5. Thanksgiving Turkeys: I also love taking big pine cones, sticking or gluing feathers in the bigger side, then winding a pipe cleaner like a snail for half of the pipe cleaner and sticking that into the smaller end of the pine cone. Glue a small eye on that and you have a turkey center piece.

6. Other Center Piece Ideas: Indian homemade stuff, pilgrim homemade stuff, Indian corn, Drum, etc.

It doesn't matter what you do, but I do think it makes Thanksgiving special and it gets your kids to do an activity, and it will make them proud of Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving Craft - Turkey Treat Holder

This turkey can be stuffed with sweets or nuts and placed at each place setting. An easy and fun craft to keep the kids entertained on Thanksgiving day!



You'll Needcraft foam sheets; brown, orange, red, yellowsmall terracotta potscissors craft glue, glue stick or glue dotsplastic wiggle eyes, Candy or nuts, for filling Cut four feathers, brown oval body and heart shaped feet for each turkey.Attach the feathers to the back of clay pot. Secure the plastic eyes and a beak to the brown oval to create your turkey head. Then glue that piece to the front of the clay pot. Glue the pot onto the heart and fill with treats.

Pumpkin Seed Snack!

Cajun Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Double or triple this recipe, depending on how many cups of seeds you have. Toss a salad with these seeds, sprinkle over a chicken dish, or serve as a snack.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 scant teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
paprika, for more color, if desired
a little salt, depending on saltiness of the seasoning
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon melted butter or vegetable oil
PREPARATION:
Rinse seeds well and get as much of the pumpkin pulp off of them as possible. Some of the small pieces are going to adhere, but they won't hurt the seeds at all, and might even add a little more flavor. Pat dry with paper towels. Don't let them dry completely on the paper towels, because they might stick!
Toss pumpkin seeds with seasonings. Combine butter and Worcestershire sauce; stir into seeds until well blended and coated.
Heat oven to 300°. Roast, turning from time to time, for about 45 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned and crunchy.

Sugar and Spice Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
(do the same way as above, except for ingredients)
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon melted butter or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon granulated sugar, or more, to taste
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon allspice

Regular Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
(do the same way as above, except for ingredients)
2 cups pumpkin seeds, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons Canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
(I add a little season salt & Garlic also to this mix)

Skillet Toasted Seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds
Optional: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, or other seasoning of choice
Preparation:Rinse pumpkin seeds. Use your fingers to remove all the pulp. Drain pumpkin seeds and discard pulp. Spread out on paper towels on a cookie sheet to dry overnight. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed, dry skillet over medium heat. Add pumpkin seeds. Shake and stir the seeds constantly as they are toasting to prevent burning. When the pumpkin seeds begin to get golden, start to pop open, and release their aroma, they are done. Sprinkle hot toasted pumpkin seeds with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, or your choice of seasonings. Toss to coat.