The Thankful Tree

This year I decided it would be fun to make a thankful tree and add new things we are thankful for every day. Mostly just Lily and I have been doing it, but it's been fun to see what my dad and Mike sometimes add, and to ask Lily's cousins to join in when they come by. We put it on the back of the front door so we see it every time we go out. It's been fun and made a nice fall decoration - I think we'll have to make it a yearly tradition. Thanksgiving is possibly my favorite holiday, and of course I want Lily to have happy Thanksgiving memories too - and develop a spirit of gratitude for all the blessings Heavenly Father has given us!

 Some photos of our tree:

(Devoid of gratitude)

Putting up leaves

(Waiting for our ride to preschool)

Our tree getting closer to Thanksgiving

Some close-ups:

Lily can write her name now, except for the Y - so she uses Q.

Can't remember what this says, but it's not 'Lily -' it's something she was grateful for.
Lily is often determined to be the one to write it!

I risked her getting upset for writing on her leaf and added the translation on the side of this one.
"I'm thankful for the kitchen set I got back."
(She lost it for a week for not helping clean up and throwing a toy at me.)

I helped with the Y's but just told her how to spell it otherwise.
She's learning her letters - we are grateful for Starfall.com :)

Oh the things kids are grateful for! 

I think I'll have to keep this one :)

Just some of the other things we are grateful for:

I'm thankful for...


"...all the cups I got."
"...for the lovely family I have...my Mommy, and my Daddy, and my Grandma, and my Grandpa, and Alex!"
"...for the Thankful Tree mom and I made together."
"...for all the lovely leaves I picked at the park."
"...for my lovely family (again)."
"...for church."
"...for Lamby."
"...for the living room." (Sometimes it's obvious she's just looking around the room for ideas)
"...Grandma and Grandpa."
"...for my friends Evie, Aujinay, Isaac, and Audrey, and Auntie Becca."
"...for my new bed."
"...that Christmas is coming!"
"...for my piggy bank with my money in it."
     --Lily


"...for my wonderful family."
"...for hot running water and warm showers."
"...for sunshine."
"...for my happy childhood (and the parents who gave it to me)."
"...for sweet kisses from my little daughter." (She has the cutest way of giving kisses these days. She says: "I think something belongs to you..." and comes over and gives you soft kisses and hugs. So grateful for my sweet little girl!)
"...for Mike and the strength he is to me."
"...for naps!"
"...for holidays and reasons to celebrate throughout the year."
"...for yummy leftovers so I don't have to make dinner."
"...for prayer."
     --Lissy

"...for Lissy and Lily."
"...for my new sketchbook."
"...for having some jobs."
"...for dancing with Lily."
     --Mike


"...for Kathy and for everything and everyone she has brought into this beautiful family."
     --Grandpa Larry

Just for fun - Some Pilgrims and Indians at preschool:

Only 6 more days 'til Thanksgving. We are officially big enough to have a kids table this year. It's so fun watching these little ones grow! Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!!!