Give with Thanks Challenge

I think I've finally gotten it through to Parker that Halloween is over and no, it's not Christmas yet. It's Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Trying to get a toddler to understand the concept of Thanksgiving and being thankful has been a little tough but I think it's going to get easier with the help of The Small Seed's Give with Thanks Challenge. The challenge is to perform small acts of service to give thanks to your friends, neighbors and fellow human beings. It's a beautifully simple concept and I hope you join the challenge as well. We are a little behind as I just found this website while trying to come up with ideas for a thankful tree but we will do our best to make up for lost time. Be sure to visit http://thesmallseed.com/ to check out the Give with Thanks Challenge.

Download the free packet which includes a visual tracking system, daily service calendar, prints and mini lessons and additional service ideas at http://thesmallseed.com/. Thanks to the team at The Small Seed for sharing this wonderful challenge and beautifully design packet with the world. Thank you, Readers, for checking out my blog!  

Thanksgiving: Thankful & Blessed

This year I am most thankful for:

My patient and loving husband

My silly baby who is turning into a bona fide little boy

Family near and far

Mom friends who understand the struggle

Non-Mom friends who let me live vicariously through them

My incredibly forgiving fur baby, Frank

Good health

The means to live the life we live

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

[Free download available on Ruffled Sunshine]

Thanksgiving: DIY Spoon Turkey Puppets

Gobble gobble! Get your little one excited for Thanksgiving by making these festive and fun Turkey Spoon Puppets. These puppets are simple, inexpensive and fool proof. Kids can play with it as a toy or you can add it to your Thanksgiving tablescape. Ready to get started?

Turkey Spoon Puppets

Materials

Wiggle eyes

Wooden spoons

Feathers

Felt scraps in red and orange

Craft glue

DecoArt 8 Pot Set Dazzling Metallics

Paintbrush

Scissors

Masking Tape

Instructions

1. Cut masking tape into varying widths and wrap around the handle of the spoon.

2. Paint the spoon. Let dry for 1 hour. Remove tape once paint is dry.

3. Cut out beak and tattler shapes from felt. Glue beak, tattler and wiggly eyes to the head of the spoon.

4. Glue feathers to the back of the spoon. Let dry for 4+ hours so glue can completely set before playing with the puppets.

[All my supplies were purchased at Michaels except the wooden spoons. Not pictured: scissors and masking tape. Don't forget to use your 40% off coupon!]

[I saran wrapped Parker's high chair tray before I let him paint. The paint is easily removed with warm water and soap. He didn't want to wear the cute apron I bought him so I put him in a throw away shirt. I knew there was a purpose for those tacky souvenir shop tshirts!]

[Parker and Kaden's spoons after painting. All of the colors from the paint set mixed so well together. I love how they turned out. The slight shimmer is fantastic.]

[I placed two glue spots on the spoons and let him add the eyes]

[Waiting for our glue to dry]

Thanksgiving Wrap Up + Finger Foods on the Horizon

Hey Mamas! I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving weekend. The long weekend was a much needed break for me. It was so nice to sleep in "late" and to spend the days with Tuan and Parker doing fun family stuff and taking lots of photos. We had a total of 3 Thanksgivings this year and had the chance to see all of our family and friends. Little man chowed on some sweet potato and turkey for his first Thanksgiving. This week I'll be roasting some veggies in the over and *gasp* not pureeing his food. One step closer to independence!

[Trying to get him used to using utensils by letting him hold his own spoon during feedings]

Thanksgiving DIY - Wearable Placecards

How awesome are these leather + feather headdresses? I love this idea as a pre meal craft for the kids (and adults!). For complete instructions, visit Zimbio.