Now That Christmas Is Over, What Do I Do With My Real Tree?

What to do with my Christmas tree... There are several ways to recycle your tree. Two of my favorite ways are, 

*take tree to the lake, the fish will love it!

*leave tree in stand outside and add peanut butter, bird seed pine cones for the birds! 

And one I read about just the other day, feed your tree to the goats!! This is just one quote from the article. Vince Thomas did his research on this to make sure it was safe for the goats. It's a very interesting article, I think you will like it, I know I did. You can read the whole article at...

http://news.yahoo.com/nevada-goats-help-eat-recycle-christmas-trees-184812588.html?soc_src=copy

Goats are known to eat just about anything, and just recently Vince Thomas thought that menu might include Christmas trees.

"They'll eat the pine needles and leave the skeleton of the tree," said Thomas, a longtime volunteer firefighter who has come up with a new use for his family-owned goat herding business, "Goat Grazers"

The Walking Dead - Do parents know the effects it will have on their children?

I just had the opportunity to spend 10 minutes in the locker room at the YMCA with two little girls.  I would guess that they were between eight and ten years old.  They were giggling and talking like little girls do.   I could not believe what they were talking about and as I listened I became more and more upset.  They were both talking about the television show the Walking Dead. 

I'm not sure if you've ever seen the show but I have, or at least as much as I could take of one.   It is one of the most gory, graphic and violent shows I have ever seen.   My husband and 28-year-old son started watching the show together.  One night, I decided that I would get in on what the big deal was and watch the show with them.   As I began to watch, the actors were gathering people, including children; lining them up by a trough, cutting their throats as blood spewed everywhere.  The scene was the most terrifyingly brutal scene I could have imagined!



I was so disturbed that I had to leave the room while my husband and son did not even flinch.  After talking to many people about this show, I learned that this type of violence was the norm in this program.  Is this really something that our children should be watching? Should it be the locker room talk of two little girls? Absolutely not! The research has repeatedly proven that violence affects children's brains! 

Television can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior.  Hundreds of studies of the effects of TV violence on children and teenagers have found that children may:

• become "immune" or numb to the horror of violence
• gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems
• imitate the violence they observe on television; and
• identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers

Extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness. Sometimes, watching a single violent program can increase aggressiveness. Children who view shows in which violence is very realistic, frequently repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see. 

Let's protect our children and monitor what they watch.  The Walking Dead should not be on their viewing list!

Norma W. Honeycutt, M.Ed.

To Elf, or Not to Elf?

For the last several years there has been a growing affection for this little fella, The Elf on The Shelf, that has consumed the hearts of millions of little children all across the land.  This little fella sits quietly, watching little ones throughout the day, and then flies back to the North Pole every evening to deliver the behavior report to Santa himself. 

Sometimes he finds himself getting into mischief....

Other times he entertains himself in more relaxing ways....

 

This is our first year with our Elf,  Candy McGandy,  named by my son, and I have to be honest, I'm not feeling it.  My middle child is thrilled to host our visitor this Christmas, but for me its just another something I have to do before I go to bed.  I have to find somewhere to put that elf, figure out something clever to do so my son can wake up and go looking for him.  And I will, because it makes my little boy happy. 

What are your thoughts on the elf invader?  Truly a new Christmas tradition, or is it just another something you have to do? 

Traveling With Children During the Holidays...

Make it a family affair. Don't wait until the last minute to get your kids psyched for your holiday journey. If you involve them in the planning process, they're likely to be more invested in the trip. Let them help with things like packing, being in charge of small things. Have the children pick out the one thing they can take on the plane, if flying. Let your chldren pick out the books they want to take along for the car ride.

Clue kids in. Once you've nailed down the details, tell everyone exactly what you've got planned. Kids feel more secure when they know what to expect each day. Warn little ones about potentially scary situations, like the security check at airports if flying. Explain to them the  security machine will take a picture of her teddy but that it will be waiting for her safely on the other side. If it's their first time flying prepare them for what will happen after boarding the plane, take off and landing especially. 

Time your travel. If you can, plan your schedule with a few extra vacation days so you've got some wiggle room in case of bad weather, illness, or airline delays. This will also allow you to avoid the peak travel days just before (and after) Christmas and New Year's. If you're flying, try to book nonstop so you don't end up stuck for unforeseen circumstances.  For road trips, log on to Google Maps (maps.google.com) to find the best route and to avoid road closures. It's also not a bad idea to travel at night on road trips so the little ones will sleep. 

Check on childproofing. Yes, Grandma's house is a loving, warm place to gather for the holidays, but it might not be the safest one for little kids. Make sure medications, cleaning products, and other hazards out of reach. If you're staying at a hotel, call in advance to ask whether the staff will childproof the room for you. 

Bring snacks. Have a supply of good travel foods (Cheerios, string cheese, bananas) with you at all times. Snacks are a great way to head off a tantrum from a hungry toddler. Water is the best on-the-go beverage because kids only drink as much as they need, which will cut down on emergency bathroom breaks. 

IF YOU ARE DRIVING...

Think safety first. Take your car in for a quick inspection (oil, antifreeze, brakes, tires) before you leave. Check the weather forecast a few days ahead to see whether you'll need extra supplies or travel time. Just in case, pull together some emergency essentials, including a small shovel, blankets, a flashlight, and bottled water. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.

Beat rush hour. You can't avoid traffic jams caused by accidents or emergency roadwork, but you can plan your trip so you're not in big cities during the morning or evening rush. You might also consider leaving at night if you feel well rested and comfortable driving in the dark. There will be fewer cars on the road, and your kids will probably sleep most of the way.

Take breaks. Hit rest stops regularly to prevent your kids from getting stir-crazy or going into tantrum mode in the car. For every two hours on the road, children need at least 15 to 30 minutes to stretch their legs and run around. Bring along inflatable beach balls or Frisbees for some fun ways to get the wiggles out during your stop. 

Keep kids entertained. Let your children pack their own bag of toys, travel games, books, and so on. But bring a special surprise or two to pull out when they start getting bored.  A toy they haven't seen in a while or a small gift you bought just for the trip will do the trick. Give little ones their favorite lovey, and then read or tell them a story so they don't feel ignored. For older kids, encourage them to scout out license plates and road signs or have them track your route with a marker on a map. Books on tape or a portable DVD player also make great travel companions.

IF YOU ARE FLYING...

Get the luggage lowdown. Find out how many bags you're allowed to carry on and to check, and if there are any weight restrictions. Most major airlines now charge between $20 and $50 for a second checked bag -- and some make passengers pay for the first. Keep gifts you're carrying unwrapped, even if they're packed in your luggage, to make the security check easier. If you've got a lot to carry with you, you might want to consider shipping gifts and gear a week or so before you leave.  Ground delivery might be less expensive than extra baggage fees. Visit the Transportation Security Administration at tsa.gov to find out about limits on carry-on gels and liquids, including baby food, formula, and breast milk.

Use the Web. Log on to your airline's Web site to sign up for e-mail or cell-phone alerts that will advise you about delays and cancellations. You can also check in online and print your boarding passes at home. Get to the airport two to three hours in advance so you have plenty of time to drop off your suitcases and make it through the security checkpoints.

Dress well. Since plane cabins can get warm on the ground and cold in the air, make sure everyone is dressed in layers. It's also smart to pack an extra day of outfits (along with diapers, snacks, and other essentials) in your carry-on in case of delays.

Fly right. Take the car seat for your baby to use on the plane. Though kids under 2 can travel on your lap for free, it's safer for your little one to have his own seat. Plus, your child will be more comfortable in a car seat, since they are  already used to traveling in it. If your child is sleeping on takeoff and landing, wake them up to give them a bottle or a sippy cup (drinking eases the air-pressure changes, which cause many in-air crying fits). If you've got an energetic toddler, don't board until the last minute. The more  time spent in seats simply means more time for kids to get restless. 

Christmas Around The World

For the next two weeks the Dolphins will be focusing on holiday traditions around the world.  We started off the week with the book 'Winter Lights.'  We then discussed the many ways people around the world use lights to celebrate thier holiday tradition. It is important for children to learn about different multicultural and diversities because it improves their socialization between each other positivity.  The environment of the Dolphin classroom is to model acceptance, have respect of all cultures, and have fun while learning it. 

'Light the Lighs!' Is a story about Hanukkah and Christmas.  One of our students celebrates Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, and was excited to share with our class the Menorah.

For our class activity today, the children made their own candles.

For the sensory center, holiday scents were added to the flour and water. Cinnamon and peppermint...yum!!!

Gingerbread scented play dough and gingerbread play dough mats are a great way to improve fine motor skills while enjoying the smells of the holiday.

For the next two weeks we will be talking more about Christmas, Posadas, and Kwanzaa as well as other holidays around the world.

Hoping For A Stress Free Holiday

For several weeks, maybe months leading up to the holidays, many children have been lookingover the holiday catalogs that arrive in the mail or in the newspaper. Even children as young as 1 enjoy looking at the colorful pictures and adds. They see a lot of interesting things, and want many, if not all of them. Of course they won't be getting them all. But it is a hard decision sometimes as parents to decide what and how much to get our children. 

As parents, when the holidays roll around, there seems to be a sense of anxiety and stress that arrives with it. Often this stress is tied to the financial aspect. Another thing is the overwhelming part of expectations. We set our expectations so high about what the holidays are supposed to be. We’re trying to use finances and other things to meet that, but it never meets what we wanted. Then there’s sometimes the let-down and we get all the guilt that goes with that. We may even have extra high anxiety at this time. 

So try remember this...Remember that the holiday memories we cherish the most are often seen through the eyes of a child.

As an adult I need to be more realistic about how I look at the holidays. As a child,  it’s that wonderful build-up and all those gifts. As children, we’re not worried about, ‘Where does the money come from to pay for this?’ … As adults, we’re trying to often re-create that childhood experience, but the reality is we do have to think about the finances. I can’t afford to refinance the house every year to pay for Christmas.”

So try this before going out and making purchases...set a budget and realize what gifts are really going to get played with and appreciated over time. It’s also important to stick to your budget! Parents go out and buy the expensive gift (the children) wanted. They play with it for two hours and it’s done. The kid was let down and the parent was let down. 

It is also important to balance a “well-being schedule.” Make time for working out. Get enough sleep. Don’t commit to every holiday party, and when necessary, take a step back from it all. Know when you start to feel yourself reacting. If you’re starting to feel anxious about the holidays or you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s the time you say, ‘This is too much for me right now and I need a break. As I get older, I can tell when I’m overwhelmed or feel anxious, it’s truly about walking away. Get some physical space and give yourself a chance to walk or read, something that sets your mind at ease and distracts you from what’s going on. It also helps me to have a physical, not just mental, list of what needs to be done and when. 

“We as adults have gotten to where we’re programmed to how big and important the holidays are that we forgot to have fun and like them and enjoy it.”

Also as I get older, I realize it's not so much about the presents I give or receive, it's about being with family and friends, real quality time, just hanging out and enjoying the company. 

The Five Gift Rule for the holidays

So you're running around looking for the perfect gift for those special people in your life especially those kiddos of yours....but you are stressing out and do you even remember what the kiddos received last year? Do they still play with it? Did you spend over your budget? Then join me In starting a new tradition....the Five Gift Rule.

With the five gift rule, you purchase just five gifts but they have to meet certain criteria. They are as follows:

1- one gift of something they want (YES JUST ONE!!!!!)

2- one gift of something they need (headband/hair barettas, water bottle, sleeping bag,etc.)

3- one gift of something they can wear (they are always growing....)

4- one gift of something that they can read (at any age they need to be reading)

5- one gift of something that is homemade (simple is fine for all you non crafters)

Gift 1:

Just how do you pick just one gift from that list that is never ending...don't!!!! Make them pick....tricky parents on the loose.  Ask your child in a setting that is netrual,for example the car while going to school, the kitchen while cooking supper together, pushing the cart at the store.  Then ask if they had to pick just one item from their wish list, what would they choose? Explain it in a way that if you could have just one thing, it would be.....what would their pick be? You could also extend this to other family members and friends as well and have your child ask them so that it would become a game. This way you find out what they think is the most important thing and they see what is really special to others as well.

Gift 2:

This is one of those that the parents have to pick because you have seen what is a real need for your child. Have you seen that every hair bow is missing? They need a new hair brush or toothbrush because it's been months or even years since it's been replaced. Plus you can find coupons to help you save more money on these items.  I recently scored a new electric razor for some of my families members that was originally $100 for more than 75% off with a coupon. It may take a little work but you reap the benefits.

Gift 3:

Gift of something that they can wear is so easy right...sort of. Does your child need a new coat or shoes? Yes, most kids will not like to open a gift of clothing but they will love those cool scarf, gloves, and awesome hat when it snows. Those jeans have the knees worn out or their shoes rubbing their toes.....replace and gift three is done. Check the ads and find your deals. 

Gift 4:

The gift of reading...yes reading!!!! When was the last time that you sat down and read with your child? When was the last time that you had a family reading time? When was the the last time that someone in your house picked up a book on their own without it being school or work related? So change that, give the gift of reading. Kids into Legos and Starwars....there are books for that. Grandma loves gardening....there are books for that. Husband loves tractors....there are books for that.  Each year we give our son the Kids Almanac for the next year which features things about entertainment, sports, nature, and everything else that one boy would be curious about. He loves getting it and it stays on his headboard or in the car so that he can read it as we run the errands. How happy would you be to look back and see a backseat fill of readers? Even children who have not learned to read can still tell you the story from the pictures of a picture book. Check out the many reading clubs online that offer something for your kid's classroom as well. Buy a book and give a book to those in need.

Gift 5:

Homemade really? I'm not crafty......I don't do DIY projects......I don't have a creative bone in my body....STOP THE EXCUSES!!!! Check out Google or my personal favorite Pinterest to find tons of easy gifts that your child will love that you made just for them. Need something simpler...make a photo frame or frames with a collection of your favorite family photos of the past year. Frames from the store that is cheaper than a buck....photos from computer....add some stickers and there you have it. Or for that boy, give him a pinewood derby car kit from your local craft store (around $6.00) and make it together over the long holiday break. Time spent making the project is often better than the finished project.

So you don't know about this idea...

Believe me for years I stressed (and still do stress over) what to get my kiddo(s) but have used this over the last several years and it has made a tremendous difference in the holiday time spent together and holiday time just spent out without the memories. I don't know about you but I choose the memeries spent not the money spent.

(Google and Pinterest are trademarked by their sites)

8 GREAT gifts for kids that AREN'T toys

1. Subscriptions- Kids love to receive mail, and there are many high quality magazines, as well as activity box subscriptions that will come right to your door.                                      
2. Classes- Dance, karate, pottery, whatever your child is interested in, find a class in your area and surprise them.
3. Have a "Yes" day- Designate one day to be a "Yes" day, when no reasonable request will be denied.  Roller skating, doughnuts for lunch, blanket forts in the dining room-why not!
4. Events- Tickets to sporting events, the movies, the circus, the possibilities are endless. 
5. Memberships- Memberships to clubs, local children's museums, (did you know there are 2 within driving distance of Salisbury??) or the zoo are gifts that children will be able to use throughout the year, and will be fun for the whole family. 
6. Day Trips- Choose three of four options, picking apples in an orchard in the mountains, fishing at the lake, or spending the day at a water park, and let them choose which trip to take.  
7. An Activity Box- Spend an hour putting together one or several activity boxes for you and your child to do together, Tinker boxes for your little engineer, or a box with a new recipe and ingredients for your aspiring chef will surely be a big hit. Pinterest is overflowing with ideas for these. 
8. YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION-  Put your cell phone away, turn off the television, and play a board game, read a book, play basketball, or just talk with your child.  The greatest gift you can give them is your time. 

It's OK for things to be OK

Today is Thanksgiving,  a day for family and friends to gather and celebrate. Today someone hosted a house full of people. Was it you? Did everything have to be just so? Was everything coordinated down to place cards? If you were able to manage that, that is wwesome. Your friends and family will apreciate all the effort.

Maybe however, things didn't quite go as planned. You may have forgotten the rolls, or forgot placecards, or forgot to get that one ingredient. Guess what? It's ok, you don't have to be perfect, things don't always have to happen a certain way.

You can always share duties, have others help but remember,  that the family get togethers that family talk about the most, the ones everyone remembers, the ones that people smile and laugh about are the ones that don't always go as planned, the ones that aren't quite perfect. So remember it's okay for things to be just ok. Now is the time for everyone to just enjoy being together.

The Importance of Play to Brain Development

Lorie Barnes sent out the digital Milestone magazine earlier this week.  The article about  “play” included a reference to the video below, and I felt it would be worthwhile to show the video to my Thursday night Admin class.  What followed, surprisingly, was an in-depth conversation about the subject of play.  

I asked the students in a class I teach at Rowan Cabarrus Community College to recall a favorite childhood memory involving play.  Every student described a memory or memories that contained the following components:

• The most joyful play occurred outdoors
• There was an enormous sense of freedom because of limited rules
• Resources obtained in the outdoor environment were used as the source of play materials 
• Material was adapted to create specific objectives
• Activities, such as making a homemade skateboard, required cooperation, collaboration, innovation and imagination; coincidentally, all 21st century skills. 

I found the conversation very thought provoking, and I will continue to think about how this relates to the opportunities our children today are experiencing and the impact of how their experiences (or lack of experiences) may have on the future.   

Again, the video was the catalyst for our conversation.

Written by Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Specialist

🐾Remembering Our Pets During Thanksgiving🐾

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful and meaningful holiday. Families and friends excitedly gather to show their gratitude for all they are so fortunate to have. Ovens are working overtime and delicious holiday aromas fill the air. 

During this happy time of family, food and giving, people tend to become overly generous with their pets. This means that dogs and cats will get a lot of table food scraps. Sometimes, however, too many treats can lead to injury, illness, or worse, for our pets.

Here are just a few tips to help with the holiday season, and always...

1. Fatty Foods:  Too many fatty, rich, or unfamiliar foods can give your pet pancreatitis or gastroenteritis; two medical conditions that can be very painful and even life-threatening.

2. Diet and Exercise:  Maintain your pet's regular meal and exercise schedule and avoid too many holiday leftovers. A disruption in his dietary routine can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and/or vomiting.

3. Bones:  Make no bones about it. Certain bones can lacerate or obstruct your pets' insides. Save the bones for the broth - not your dog.

4. Onions:  Onions and onion powder, widely found in stuffing and used as a general seasoning, will destroy your dog or cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.

5. Grapes and Raisins:  Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage to both dogs and cats.

6. Chocolate:  Chocolate can actually be fatal to your dog or cat; so all those sweets must be kept well out of reach.

7. Food Wrappings:  Aluminum foil, wax paper and other food wrappings can cause intestinal obstruction. Make sure to place these items securely in the garbage.

8. Fresh Water:  Make sure your pet always has fresh water. When there are more people in the house, there's more chance to bump into the water bowl leaving your pet dry.

9. Quiet Time:  Make sure your pet has a quiet retreat should the holiday festivities be too much for him. Watch his behavior to make sure he is not stressed.

10. Garbage:  Keep an eye on the garbage and keep it securely fastened! If your dog gets into it, he may think he's hit the jackpot, but all he'll be winning is health problems from something as simple as gastric disturbance, vomiting and diarrhea to the worst-case scenario - death. 

A few more tips to remember...

Turkey (or any meat)...All meat should be well cooked and always boneless.

Sage...Cats are especially sensitive to this herb, it can cause stomach upset and central nervous system depression.

Bread dough...Raw dough could actually rise in your pets sensitive tummy causing discomfort or an even more serious emergency.

Cake batter...Raw eggs can cause salmonella infection in your pet, just as it can for anyone in your family. Stick to dog biscuits and kitty treats instead of this sugary concoction.

Too much of anything...Little tastes of human food could cause stomach pains, diarrhea and even pancreatitis in your pet. The same goes for you, you should both practice moderation!

Wrappings...Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap and wax paper. While licking up food left on these wrappings pets can ingest some of the wrapper, leading to intestinal obstructions. Also, look out for tooth picks, skewers and used silverware.

Hot food...When carrying hot food from the stove or to the table, be sure you pet/pets arent taking that moment to weave through your legs. 

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  To me, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends, great food, fellowship, and reflecting on the many blessings in my life.  Ask a preschool aged child to tell you why they celebrate Thanksgiving, and you most likely won't hear much about giving thanks.  

An easy way to solve that issue is to actually explain what being thankful means, which isn't an easy concept for little ones to understand.  Children may not know what it means to be greatful, but they do understand that some people and things make them feel extra happy.  You can talk to your little ones about what those things are, and try to help them make the connection between those happy feelings and being thankful.  

Including a discussion on friendship and helping others durring thanksgiving preparations will also help children to make connections to the true meaning of Thanksgiving, and help to shift thier focus from the turkey.  Involve your children in preparations for your meal, and allow them to help serve your guests, or let your child choose and donate food items to a local food bank to give them the experience of serving others.  

Thanksgiving Fun

This week the Dolphins are talking about Thanksgiving. Each day this week we will be reading a story about Thanksgiving and making foods we all enjoy to eat on Thanksgiving day. Today the children enjoyed making cranberry sauce and they are excited to share all the foods we make with their families on friday.  This is a special time of the year for us all. Focusing on what we are thankful for and sharing time with our loved ones is what makes it so special. 

Using our senses to explore cranberries made this activity so much fun. Hands on activities to explore new things is how children learn. 

Learning where cranberries grow. 

Looking at and touching the cranberry, the children come to their own conclusions of what it looks and feels like.

What does it smell like? The children had many responses. Ms. Kelly and I really enjoyed what the children had to say.

They all got to taste for themselves if they like cranberries or not.

Making the cranberry sauce 

 Sorting the cranberries 

The children were really excited to see the many colors of a cranberry.

Take a look at Wednesdays blog. Ms. Kelly will include the recipe for homemade cranberry sauce. 

There is lots of learning going on in the Dolphin class and I am so thankful for our classroom families that they entrust Ms. Kelly and I to teach thier children new things everyday. 

Where has the time gone?

As a single mom of four, whose ages range from 13 to 21, I was reflecting on just how fast time flies. One day your pregnant and marveling at the miracle inside. You smile at the list of firsts. First smile, first time you see them, first steps first words, first hug and first kiss. You are overwhelmed with joy the day your baby arrives. Then all of a sudden, wow irs been three months and you wonder where did the time go?

As time goes by, I began to wonder if there would be anymore firsts. Yes, there were,. First dsy of Kindergarten, first award, first friends. The time seems to fly by. Soon they graduate to middle school, first crush, first time with multiple teachers, sports or clubs, and the time flies by.

Now I'm wondering what first I still have. Well, the first to graduate, first to go to college, first jobs, etc. So my reflection is this. There will alwsys be a first with your children. The best way to enjoy them all is by saving as many as you can. Videos, pictures, small momentos. Keep a journal, in the spare time(little as it may be) of the things your feeling, things they say. You will be happy you did because someday, you will look back and wonder where did the time go?

Ways To Have Children Help At Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday that encourages us to take stock of our blessings, Thanksgiving can be fairly stressful…especially for parents. All the preparations and cooking and a more formal mealtime are not exactly child-friendly. But gratitude isn’t just for adults, and neither should Thanksgiving be an adult-only activity. That’s why  I like to get the children involved as much as possible.

Here are just a few of the ways I suggest doing it, from helping prepare the table, to giving a hand in the kitchen. 

Volunteering as a family is rewarding in a multitude of ways. By learning to appreciate what we have instead of focusing on what we lack, we are reminded to be thankful and appreciative of our lives. This in turn inspires us to help others and create joy in someone else’s life.

From washing vegetables to setting the table, there are many ways your child can help with Thanksgiving dinner. 

This Thanksgiving, plan a meal that has traditional dishes and child-friendly ones that everyone around the table will enjoy. A few days in advance of the meal, ask children what special side dishes they would like to eat. For example, should the sweet potatoes be served as fries, in soufflé form or both? Children may be more likely to eat a veggie or two at this year's dinner if they pick them out themselves.

While the adults are  in the kitchen, even children as young as 2 or 3 years old can help create homemade decorations to make the table more festive. Simply provide the necessary supplies; construction or butcher paper, markers, crayons, scissors, paint, and glue, even magazines to cut pictures out off.  Let children create one-of-a-kind place mats that can be laminated and saved for future meals.  Children can also create Thanksgiving-themed napkin rings, table toppers and place cards for each guest. Use decorating as an opportunity to remind children of the true meaning of Thanksgiving. 

Let children do the actual table setting, too. If the job is too big, just have them fold the napkins or set out the silverware...anything to get them involved!

What goes down (the hatch) must be cleaned up. I'm not saying the children should do all the cleaning in the kitchen, but I do think children need to be responsible for clearing their dishes and helping with the cleanup. (Motivation spin: the sooner the table is clean, the quicker the dessert comes out.)

Older children, especially, can take  a shift in the kitchen, especially when they are told it's respectfully giving older family members a break. 

Just a reminder...Partners In Learning will be closing at 12:00 Wednesday November 26 and closed Thanksgiving Day, November 27 and Friday, November 28. We hope you have a safe, fun, memorable Thanksgivng holiday with family and friends. 

8 Ways to Thank a Veteran, not just on Veteran's Day, but everyday

     Today Is Veteran's day, and I would like to say that I am eternally grateful to all those who have served, who are serving, and all those that will serve our Nation in any capacity.     This holiday reminds us to appreciate those who have done  what all of us were not able or willing to do for our country; defend it with their lives.

    Most will celebrate today by posting on Facebook, enjoying a day off, going to see the parade in town, and maybe taking a family member who has served out to a meal. Dedicating a day on the calendar to our Nation's servicemen and women is awesome, but November 11th shouldn't be the only day we extend our gratitude for all the sacrifices that were made.  Here are 8 ways to honor veterans everyday.....

• Are you a knitter or crocheter? Make a scarf for the cold-winters ahead. Donate them at a local-VFW for a veteran in need or contact Operation Gratitude to see how to donate.
•  Support a Military Family through Operation Homefront. Watch their website for 'current needs':  http://www.operationhomefront.net/need/list
•  Military-member at the same restaurant as you? Send them a drink or pay for their dessert.
•  Call them. A grandparent, uncle, aunt, mother, father. Take the time to call them, especially if they live far away, and find out how they are doing.
•  Listen to their stories with interest. If they are a war-veteran they have seen things you will never see. Listen and Learn.
•  Nearly 40 percent of our veteran population is 65 or older, give a veteran your phone number and ask them to call if they need help around the house. Make a note to call them this winter to see what they need.
•  Have your children paint a picture or write a letter. Send it to your grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, any relative that is a Veteran.
•  Call and Visit a local nursing home or VA Hospital. Find out what you can do to help. If you quilt make a blanket for a needy veteran. If you bake call and find out if you can bring in something special. Bring a book to read to a veteran "ready and willing" to listen. We all have talents that can be used.

Keep it connected

This week the Dolphins are talking about our families. We will be talking about what makes up a family, how many people are in our family, and where our family live. This topic the children love to talk about because their families are their "whole world." We have a lot of activities planned for this weeks theme and I'm excited to hear about all of the children's families. 

In the dolphin classroom Ms. Kelly and I like to take lots of pictures to record the children's learning experiences. We want our students families at home to see what it is the children are learning from week to week. We also think it is important to have a record of the children doing hands on activities so they can look back and recall the experience. Doing this the children can decide if they wound have done the experience the same way or if they would have done it differently. Doing blogs and posting pictures on social media helps us as teacher, to stay connected to our classroom families. 

Ms. Kelly is using the iPad to tell a story of what makes up a family. 

Ms. Gen is reading during circle time about families and how we are all special and loved.

Each child shared with the group how many people are in their family and theirs names.

Ms. Kelly is helping the children count their family members.

The children loved singing about their mommy and her name. 

In centers, the children were giving the babies a bath. This lets the child take on the role of the caregiver.

In blocks, the children built their house and put their family members in it.

The art activity for today, the children built any house they wanted using a envelope and markers.

The dolphin classroom had lots of fun today and we hope you enjoy all the pictures of our learning experiences because we enjoy staying connected with you.