eggs that hatch

After having what is best described as a 'challenging' day with the children last week (and they would probably say I was being rather challenging too), I decided we needed a calm activity to do in the afternoon. I found our trusty roll of newsprint and a jar of coloured pens and we worked on this poster together: 'We are thankful for...'

The idea for this was heavily inspired by Soulemama's book that arrived a few weeks ago: helping our children acknowledge that which they are thankful for. It's something that I think is especially important in a family like mine, because even though I was brought up in quite a religious/spiritual family myself, the habit of 'praying' in a Christian sense is not something that Tom and I have chosen to do with our children.

Thus, the 'thankful' list was a really nice activity to do together. And it certainly helped put my angsty feelings into perspective that day. While Arlo decided he was most thankful for trains in the world, he also drew portraits of his seven grandparents, aunts and uncles, the alphabet, his friends, kindergarten, soccer and cake. Keira's list included: eggs that hatch, milk, the night sky, lemons and mud.

Comments

[jen j-m:::swallowfield]

i really love this! a good list of things to be thankful for. :)

[Jo]

What a wonderful keepsake that poster will be. I love the family portraits that Arlo has done and 'eggs that hatch' - oh Keira that is too precious. Have a good week.

[alison]

It works for us too. Since being here Mr TS and I often sit down at the end of a long day and count our blessings or those things or people we are really grateful for. A great cure for home sickness. x

[Miss Smith]

That is such a lovely idea. I was also brought up with lots of religious rituals and while I don't want to do that with my children I do want them to think of others, be thankful for the things that they have, etc. I may have to get a copy of that book myself. Being thankful for mud and the alphabet is just the best.

[Susie D]

What A simply wonderful activity Melissa. All those 7 grandparents, trains, the night sky, eggs that hatch, lemons and mud !! Just so lovely and thoughtful. Sounds like a childrens story .... guess it is and you capture it so well. Thank you again for passing on these delights.xxxooo

[Marina]

What a lovely activity. I think your children are spot on with their lists! What would we do without lemons and mud??

[Tracy]

What a lovely activity to do with the kids. May have to borrow it :)

[heidi]

what an awesome activity. especially when the days are challenging!

[Alison]

What lovely things to be thankful for! The minds of children are a wonderful place. Great activity!

[Lies]

Wow what a busy bee you've been! I totally missed out on the skirts (why wasn't i blogging then?) and missed out on the creamy pretties in the shop - would'v been sweet on Lieve. Next time! But oh thanks for the little ball tute - great will try and make one! I totally agree with you - saying thank you is very very important. We insist with L that she thanks people lots - we tell her that not only will it make others happy, it will also make her happy! And really it does X

[Gill]

Melissa I so admire the way you put aside your own needs and put your children first. I like that you realise that it's probably about your behaviour anyway. I have had a hard time with kids recently and when I finally stopped, listened to them and spent some time with them their behaviour improved, I didn't get much done but that's not important in the big picture anyway is it?. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed the article in NZ House and Garden too btw. X Gill

[Anna]

So inspiring! And spirited.

[Ali]

That's lovely. Will tuck it away at the back of my mind for when I am next ready to throttle my two.

[celine]

what a fantastic idea!

[laurel]

i had to make a comment as this made my day. my boy has yet another cold/flu thing which put me in a cranky mood thinking of all the work i still have to catch up on from the chicken pox and and another cold in the last 2 months... then i arrive at his day care to pick up a snotty hot toddler who promptly curls into the crook of my neck. and i know that what he is thankful for is cat tails, food he finds under the couch, buses, lift the flap books, and, his mom's neck when he's feeling sick. and i am thankful for baby's eyelashes on a sleeping boy.

it's wonderful to see the world through kid's eyes. mud, the night sky and trains ARE to be thankful for.

p.s. i showed my husband the picture (as i often do with the blogs i follow), and he called me your craft groupie!

[Emma]

Thank you for putting a smile on my face today!

[Alby Mangroves]

Kids are amazing like that, they're challenging little beggars, but they are so eloquent about life, imagine being thankful for the night sky. Beautiful xo

[jendoop]

You've got to love a girl who is thankful for lemons and mud!

[Victoria]

What a great idea. And the drawings are so sweet, I'll have to copy this one from you! Your embroidery is brilliant I think it just might be my favorite thing you've ever made (that I've seen on this blog). Will be very cool to see what scene you work on next.

[Anja]

Great activity!
Oh, you must keep this sheet of paper. It's priceless!!!

[Annie]

Eggs that hatch, lemons and mud are all very, very good things.

[Lisa]

brilliant idea! a way to get the kids thinking about what's great in their world(s)... spiritual but not religious. :) I really love Keira's list. I am very happy that your children so obviously have a connection with nature.

[amisha]

what a brilliant idea for a challenging day.
and that list is so wonderful. i needed to read this, now... thank you for that :) xox