Giving Thanks

I found the idea for a Thankful Tree online and thought it would be a fun project to do with the kids.  We went outside and gathered some branches and rocks, which we arranged in our jar.  Then we cut leaves out of construction paper.  The kids did most of them.  I have to admit I love their "unique" shapes!  My idea was to hang the leaves with string, but they preferred to just put the leaves straight on the branches.

Then, for the last few nights at dinnertime, everyone chose a couple of leaves on which to write something we're thankful for.  Benjamin and Joanna wanted to write theirs themselves - perfect unschooling writing practice!  =)

Reading their leaves is a bit like unscrambling words - but hey!

I love how this project turned out, but especially just how much the kids had fun with it.  I think it has been really helpful in talking about and encouraging thankfulness in the kids.

I am so thankful for these little people in my life, and for the opportunity to make fun memories with them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Benjamin has been really interested in the
Thanksgiving story, and he wanted to make
a Pilgrim hat!