Preparing for Thanksgiving- Crafts and such.....

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Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year as it does every year, I suppose.  So I really tried to kick it into gear last week and put some activities together for Parker to do.  With each year- the holidays become more fun and meaningful as Parker is able to understand more.

As I've said before- Parker just eats it up when I have activities planned, and this day was no different.  I didn't take pictures of her actually doing these things, but here they are finished.  I think it took me longer to prepare than for her to do!  All of the things you see here were downloaded from 1+1+1- here.

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We started this craft last week and finally finished it a few days later.  It was a little too involved for her, I think.  But anyway- the plan for next year is to have a thankful tree.....gather some branches, place in a vase....and add the 'leaves' as we discuss over a few days or weeks what we are thankful for.

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I had originally planned for us to venture out to the library to see the "Creature Teacher", but decided that we needed a day to just be.  We have been blowing and gowing, and with me working the next 3 days- I wanted to try to get some things done around here and with them.

Our day started out with pancakes.

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This next 'project' was totally last minute.  (As is most things that I do these days!)  I found the idea of this hand print turkey shirt on Pinterest.....and this is the blog with the tutorial.  I love doing things with their handprint because, as you know, they will never be this size again.  I had originally thought I'd do the same craft each year, and while this is a good idea, I have yet to do the same craft twice.  So we'll just go with some sort of hand craft.  ;)  

One of my priorities in making this project was for it to be cheap!  The only thing I had to buy new was the tee and onesie (they didn't have a tee in Grace's size or I would have gotten her a tee.....although I think the onuses may be the way to go now that she can undress herself, and will if the mood strikes.....take off everything- including her diaper).  I purchased these at Hobby Lobby and used a 40% off coupon for one of them, so I ended up spending less than $10.

I didn't end up using the fabrics I had originally thought I would use.....I just had to keep going through my stash until I found something that had 4 coordinating prints.  I knew I could find coordinates, if needed, but again- the goal was to use as many things that I already had.

Instead of using the turkey template that she used- I just grabbed 2 different sized tupperware bowls from our kitchen to use as the body.

Ironed on the the Heat-N-Bond (the kind with the red writing on the package)

I even got a huge wrinkle in the pink because I was so careless.  Oh yeh- the other requirement for this project was for it to be very quick and easy!  And it was.  So I highly recommend it.

I traced the girls hands....twice on each of the 3 different fabrics for the feathers.  I didn't even switch up which hand I used every time....it was about speed and I figured it would turn out regardless.  Grace loved doing this.  As a matter of fact- Parker did, too, but she was being distracted by the tv.  But tracing the hands is definitely something that my girls love to do.

I quickly ironed Parker's shirt together during Grace's nap time..

I totally think that this would be even cuter if I stitched around it- but I really just wanted to get it done....so this will do!  I did finish Grace's a little while ago and I ended up stitching around the beak of each one and it did add a bit.  I also went ahead and stitched down the ric-rac chicken legs.

I am hoping someone will get pictures of them in these tomorrow!  ;)


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Ok- so I also saw these on Pinterest.

I stumbled upon this adorable ice cream cone cornucopia and knew I wanted to do this.  The first people that came to mind were the girls' Sunday school teachers (especially now that we are going Wednesdays, too.....after a year and a half...Grace has just now started not crying and playing....so I know they have had to give her extra loving).  I botched it up last year and didn't do a thing for them for Christmas- so this year I really want to do something for Christmas.....and wanted to do something for them for Thanksgiving if I could find something quick and easy (not to take away from the thought, but just limited on time!).

I will for sure be doing this again next year!  The tutorial used sugar cones I think....or at least the mouth/opening of the cone was a complete circle.  I was a little worried these waffle cones would't work, but they did....and I really like that the opening is not uniform.  It makes it look a little more cornucopia-ish.

She has a great tutorial- but I will say that I dipped the cones in warm water for about 20-30 seconds....then placed them in the microwave for 20 seconds (2 at a time).....then rolled the ends with a clean straw for about 30 seconds.  You can't fill them up until they are completely dry, and I thought they would be by this morning, but they weren't.  Geoff suggested I put them in the oven for a few minutes, which was a great idea, because after about 5 minutes or so, they were completely dry!

We filled about half with the new pretzel m&ms (oh my goodness they are so good) and the other half with candy corn.

I made these little tags to add a little something....

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Parker also made these cute turkey crafts at Kristin's the other day....

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Back to today.....

So I had run into the office to get a few things this morning- and when I came out there were wipes pulled out....quite a few of them.  Anyway- Parker was standing their folding them up- in her own little world.  I asked her if Grace or if she had pulled them all out.

Her response, "I don't know........I didn't see."  Really???  ;)

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We also tried to read this a few times, but it just can't seem to keep their interest.  It looks like it would.  It doesn't have too many words and it has great pictures, but still......

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I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I'll be honest and admit that this one is a bit bittersweet.  I have so much to be thankful for (more than I deserve)- and yet still sad that I won't be with my family as I have been for the past 30 years.  But such is life.  And in the true spirit of the holiday- it comes down to the very same thing it always has.....just being thankful for all that He has given us.