Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The ADVENTure of Christmas

If you can only purchase one new book this year I recommend you make it The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel.

According to the cover The ADVENTure of Christmas is a Mom's guide to "helping children find Jesus in our holiday traditions."

The book does that and more. Each of the 25 chapters provides a devotional, 1-2 related kids' activities and a "teachable moments" section.

The teachable moments are simple conversation starters to help you discuss the tradition with your child.

In all honesty, most of the activities are too advanced for my children (currently ages 3-8) to do. But I think every mom should own this book because it inspires creativity and togetherness.

Remember our candy cane reindeer (an activity found in The ADVENTure of Christmas)? My children couldn't make their reindeer completely on their own so we worked on it together. They glued on the red pom-pom noses while I did the rest. If you asked my kids, THEY made the reindeer, and I'm OK with that.

We had fun together and made a sweet memory, all inspired by The ADVENTure of Christmas.


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Monday, November 28, 2011

Why are candy canes striped?

Have you ever wondered why candy canes have stripes and are shaped like a shepherd's staff or the letter "J"? We wonder about things like that at my house which is why I included the answer in my Christmas activity plan.

According to The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg the "J" stands for Jesus. The shepherd's staff is because the shepherds were the first to find out about Jesus' birth. The stripes are because Jesus was beaten. The red and white colors are because "his blood washes away our sins, making us white and pure as snow."

I love how The Legend of the Candy Cane takes a simple item from Christmas and creates a special story around it. After reading this book my children will always think of Jesus and our faith when they see a candy cane.

I think that's a good thing.

I like to pair reading our Christmas children's books aloud with an activity. In this case I recommend two activities: The Legend of the Candy Cane Coloring Book and making candy cane reindeer ornaments.

The Legend of the Candy Cane Coloring Book is only 15 pages long. The drawings are simple for even a preschooler to color. It also includes a version of the legend. (This is NOT the same product line as the Walburg book.)

The directions for candy cane reindeer ornaments are quick and easy for kids 8 and up. You can include a copy of the legend with the reindeer for a small gift of present topper.

Did you know why candy canes have stripes? 


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Candy Cane Reindeer Ornaments

Everyone will want to play with this cute red-nosed candy cane Reindeer! He's quick and easy to make for your kids' friends or your co-workers.

All you need is:
  • 6 inch candy cane
  • brown pipe cleaner
  • small red pom-pom
  • 1 pair of wiggly eyes
  • White craft glue

Take an 18 inch pipe cleaner and cut in half. Wrap one half around the hook of the candy cane and twist tightly.

Cut the other half into 2 pieces. Twist each of those pieces around the pipe cleaner already fastened to the candy cane.

Glue red pom-pom onto the tip like a nose. Glue on the wiggly eyes.

See? Super easy!

I had grand ideas of my kids doing these on their own. No such luck. My 3, 5, and 6 year olds couldn't figure out how to hold the pipe cleaners and twist them at the same time. And the eyes were too tiny for their little fingers to glue on. Gluing the pom-pom was the extent of their contribution.


Even though they didn't do much, my children had fun. And that's what counts. I'll try this idea again in a couple of years when their fine motor skills are a little more developed.

I like to pair our activities with the children's Christmas books in our collection. There are 2 different books you could read with candy cane reindeer: The Legend of the Candy Cane or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

The reindeer also make wonderful small gifts for family, friends, and co-workers. If you want to add a non-offensive faith element to your gift, print a version of The Legend of the Candy Cane (The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel has a great example) on a small piece of paper and attach it to the reindeer with ribbon.

Do you have any memories of making this classic Christmas craft as a child? 


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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Our Jesse Tree Journey 2011


"Instead of tucking back Advent calendar flaps, we'll do it this way: we'll wait for the Christ like Zaccheus on the top limb, and we'll read the stories of the Old Testament, the whole pageantry of mankind, from Adam to the Messiah, each story pointing to the coming promise, the incredibly impossible gift, the Glorious Christ.

After each reading of another promise fulfilled, we'll hang the ornament of each story on the branches of a tree, our very own Jesse Tree, a testament to our covenant-keeping, people-passionate God, whose love unfolds like an endless gift down through thousands of years." Quoted from A Jesus Advent Celebration: A Jesse Tree Journey by Ann Voskamp at aholyexperience.com


This is our first year to use Ann's Jesse tree devotionals and ornaments. I'm excited about it and so are my children. The devotionals will help us remember all month that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Last night I printed the devotional portion and placed it in a folder. I also printed the ornaments on white card stock and then cut and glued them for ornaments. I'm looking forward to our Jesse Tree Journey.

You can have a Jesse Tree Journey, as well. Visit A Holy Experience and follow the instructions at the end of the post to download your own FREE copy.

How do you prepare for Jesus' birthday on Christmas?


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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Kid's Christmas Activities and Books

What do reindeer ornaments, no-bake spiced ornaments, The Grinch who Stole Christmas and The Muppets Christmas Carol have in common? They are all on my 30 Days Kids' Christmas Activities and Books plan!

Last month's Thanksgiving kid's activities and books plan worked so beautifully that I decided to make a month-long plan for Christmas. We didn't do or read everything I had on the plan in November, but we did most of it. And I count that as a success!

My ideas for December include a variety of children's Christmas craft activities, reading children's Christmas books, and watching our favorite kid's Christmas movies.

I'll be blogging most of it and linking it all on this post. Each week I'll give you a sneak peek at what's coming up and then on the day the post publishes I'll add the link here.


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3
 Week 4

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Updated 12.31.11: Due to unforeseen circumstances of tummy bugs and migraine headaches I was unable to complete the posts for week 4. I'll be sure and start with those for 2012! {smile}
     
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember

If you can only buy one Thanksgiving book then Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey is the one to get!

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember shares the story of the Pilgrims and their first Thanksgiving feast. It also briefly tells how our current Thanksgiving holiday came to exist.

My favorite feature of A Time to Remember is that you can read the entire story or you can read the large print for a shorter version. This means if you have older children or teenagers you read the more detailed version but if you have little guys (like I do) you read the shorter, less-detailed version. It's like having 2 books in one!

With beautiful full-color photographs this is so much more than a coffee table book. It's a family tradition you'll enjoy reading every year.

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.  

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Give Thanks to the Lord Children's Book

Thanksgiving is about, well, giving thanks. When giving thanks it's good to know WHO you are thanking. The children's book Give Thanks to the Lord by Karma Wilson makes it clear that we are thanking God for his blessings.

The book follows a little boy through his family's Thanksgiving celebration. Friends and family members arrive. The children play in the leaves. And eventually they eat their Thanksgiving dinner. After each activity occurs we read the refrain "It's good to give thanks to the Lord."

With cute illustrations and easy to read words, Give Thanks to the Lord is an excellent book to read with your children and remind them who we are thanking this holiday season.

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Monday, November 21, 2011

5 Kernels of Corn Thanksgiving Tradition

I'm considering adding the tradition of five kernels of corn to our Thanksgiving dinner this year. Have you heard of the tradition?

It's mentioned in Mary's First Thanksgiving and goes like this:

"It is said that years after [the first Thanksgiving] celebration the colonists placed five kernels of corn on their plates to remind them of the hardships they endured. They gave thanks for the blessings each kernel represented... the beauty and bounty of autumn... their love for one another... love for their families... friendship with the Native Americans... their freedom to worship God without fear."

I'd like to modernize the tradition a little and have the kernels represent:

  • the necessities and luxuries provided through my husband's job;
  • love for our church, friends and community;
  • love for our immediate and extended family;
  • friendship with people from around the world;
  • freedom to worship God without fear.

Have you used the 5 corn kernels tradition?

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

My children love reading silly Thanksgiving books. One of our favorite read alouds this month has been I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson.

The Old Lady begins the story as a small figure but with each Thanksgiving dish she eats she grows larger and LARGER. The family fears she may die. They also fear she will eat their entire Thanksgiving meal. One of those fears is well founded.

The wording and illustrations make I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie a delight to read with children. But if you really want to make it fun, read with emphasis and excitement in your voice. You'll have your kids rolling with laughter as the food "rumbles and mumbles and grumbles inside her."


Does your family read silly books? Which is your favorite?

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Mary's First Thanksgiving

Today I found myself asking my sons, "Which is better - eating fewer cookies than your sister or eating no cookies?" They were playing the ages old game of She Got More Than Me and I refused to participate.

Since we've studied different parts of the Thanksgiving holiday this month I've been very aware of ungrateful and entitled attitudes. As always, we're a work in progress at the SMB house!

This week we're shifting our focus from the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving feast to our personal thankfulness and celebration. I'm hoping our attitudes will improve this week.

Reading Mary's First Thanksgiving: An Inspirational Story of Gratefulness by Kathy-jo Wargin should cultivate a little gratefulness in our hearts.

Mary and her parents are immigrants about to celebrate their first Thanksgiving in America. They have received a pumpkin pie from a neighbor. Because they are so poor this will be their own special food for the day.

Mary complains about their poverty and her father tells her the story of the Pilgrims first year in America and the tradition of 5 kernels of corn. In the end, Mary changes her attitude and finds reasons to be thankful.

Mary sounds a lot like my own children - discontent with their blessings. Granted, her poverty is much different from my children's life of luxury (I think any family who never experiences true hunger is living in luxury!) but the lesson is the same. No matter what our circumstances, we have reasons to be thankful.

I hope my children understand this truth a little more by reading Mary's First Thanksgiving.

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November. 

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

3 Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

My children like to help me cook. I don't always appreciate my kids cooking help but I'm making an effort this fall to include them more in preparing our meals. So I plan to let my kids help me prepare these kid friendly recipes (Tater Tot or Hashbrown Casserole, Carrot Casserole and Apple Pie) for our Thanksgiving dinner.


Tater Tot or Hashbrown Casserole
  • 2 lb. box of hashbrowns or equivalent bag of tater tots
  • 3/4 cup melted margarine, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 12 oz. sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups crushed cornflakes

Have your child place defrosted tater tots or hashbrowns in a 9"x 13" pan. Let child measure margarine and melt in microwave. Then pour 1/2 cup margarine over tater tots/hashbrowns. In separate bowl, let your child stir together remaining ingredients, except for margarine and cornflakes. Place cornflakes in a sealed ZipLoc bag and let your child crush them. Pour soup mixture over hashbrowns. Allow your child to top with cornflakes and margarine.

Bake at 350* for 45 minutes.


Carrot Casserole

  • 2 lb of baby carrots (or peeled & chopped carrots)
  • 3 oz cream cheese
  • 1/2 can french fried onions
  • 1/4 lb butter (1 stick or 1/2 a cup)
  • 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • dried parsley flakes

Let your child rinse the carrots and place in a pot of water. Boil until soft enough to mash. Strain carrots and place in large bowl. Add cream cheese and butter to the carrots and let your child mash carrots into bite-sized pieces. Now stir in remaining ingredients except parsley flakes. Place in a 2 quart casserole dish and sprinkle top with parsley flakes.

Bake at 350* for 25 minutes.


Apple Crumb Pie


  • 1 or 2 (9 inch) pie shell
  • 6 cups thinly sliced apples
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. butter (or margarine)

Kids can use an apple peeler/corer/slicer to prepare apples. Let children practice measuring and stirring this kid friendly recipe.

Preheat oven to 375*. Place sliced apples in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine white sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour, and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Spoon mixture into pie shell.

In small bowl combine 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over apple filling.

Choice: At this point you can cover top loosely with aluminum foil and bake in oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25-30 minutes, until top is golden brown. This will give you a crumb topping, almost like an apple crisp.

I prefer to put another pie crust on top of the crumb topping. I just gives it an extra yumminess (and calories, but we won't speak of that.) If using the pie crust, cut 4 slits in the center. Then cover edges with aluminum foil or pie shield to keep the edges from burning. Bake according to above instructions.

How do you include your children in holiday meal preparations?

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Friday, November 18, 2011

A Silly Kid's Thanksgiving Poem

After reading silly Thanksgiving poems this week, we pulled out our Thanksgiving journals and my children tried their hand at writing an original poem of their own.

Hilarious doesn't begin to describe it. See for yourself. An original poem by William, age 8:


In case you need an interpreter:
The turkey said to the pie, "You are dry."
The pie said to the turkey, "Your future looks murky."
Can you write an original Thanksgiving poem?

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Thankgiving Primer - Authentic Pilgrim Feast

Years ago I had a great idea - prepare a Thanksgiving dinner like they ate at the first Pilgrim Thanksgiving feast. So to help me be truly authentic I bought The Thanksgiving Primer: A complete guide to re-creating the first harvest festival for your family, friends or church.

After reading The Thanksgiving Primer and thinking about an "authentic" Pilgrim dinner, I decided I couldn't do it. Why would you replace carrot casserole with "boile onions" or pumpkin pie and Cool Whip with prune tart? It wouldn't be Thanksgiving with those strange foods!

So all these years later (about 10), I've never used the recipes in this book. And I don't plan to start this year! But, it's not a total loss. The book gives detailed descriptions of Pilgrim clothing and discusses games the Pilgrim children played. Those are the parts of the book we're focusing on this year.

Playing marbles and the Pilgrim version of musical chairs just sounds more fun than eating seethed fish!

How authentic is your Thanksgiving dinner? Is it more like Norman Rockwell or the Pilgrims?

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Thanksgiving Poems for Children

I own about 20 different Thanksgiving related children's books. I know, that's a lot isn't it? It's hard for me to resist holiday books when they cost less than a dollar at a used book sale!

At the last sale I went to I found a different kind of Thanksgiving book. Thanksgiving Poems, selected by Myra Cohn Livingston, is a compilation of poems from a variety of genres. Among the 16 poems Livingston includes Native American poems, a Psalm, poems about the Pilgrims, and a poem about John the Baptist.

There are also silly poems included like Gobbledy-Gobble by Felice Holman. After receiving taunts for his "ugly as sin" appearance one turkey says,
"Well, sometimes they hurt ('Twould be nice to be purty.), but common sense says, "You're a winner." For on Thanksgiving Day they have all gone away to be somebody's good-looking dinner."
Ha!Ha! Sounds like a smart turkey! I noticed that Amazon has several used copies of Thanksgiving Poems for less than a dollar.  For a cute book with a lot of variety I this is a welcome addition to our Thanksgiving children's book collection.

Do you know of any funny Thanksgiving poems? Please share!

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Legend of Squanto CDs

I'm trying to bring the people and events of Thanksgiving to life for my children. Our field trip to Plimoth Plantation last year quite literally brought the Pilgrims to life! This year we're doing something a little closer to home.

We are listening to The Legend of Squanto: An Unknown Hero Who Changed the Course of American History.

The CD set brings the story of Squanto alive through the amazing talents of the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre actors.

Listening to the voices and sound effects helps us imagine we were right there when Squanto became a slave, traveled to Spain and then England and finally returned home to find his entire tribe gone.

Just to be clear, this is not an audio book. It is a radio drama, complete with actors and sound effects. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre always does a superb job of bringing a story to life in our imaginations. I whole heartedly recommend The Legend of Squanto!

If radio drama is something new for your children, and you aren't sure if they will sit still for it, I have two suggestions. First, listen in the car as you drive around on errands. You'll find they don't want to get out of the van! Second, give each child a blank piece of paper or a coloring book and let them draw/color while they listen. Their hands will be occupied while they quietly listen.

Have you listened to The Legend of Squanto? If so, what did you think of it?

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Monday, November 14, 2011

Kids' Hand N Foot Turkey Placemat for Thanksgiving

I love any kids' craft or activity that documents the size of my children's hands or feet. I am all too aware how quickly those tiny hands and feet are growing. My oldest son's feet are almost as big as mine!

So when I saw the Hands and Feet Thanksgiving Turkey on EnchantedLearning.com* I knew we had to make it. Before you think I'm one of those Crafty Home School Moms, I'm not. We don't do crafts that often because I'm too type A and can't take the chaos. But I set aside my type A-ness today and embraced the chaos.

Here's how we made our Hands and Feet Turkey Placemats:

 
Step 1: Gather Supplies.
  • You'll need orange, red, brown, yellow and a sheet of your choice colored construction paper. I fit 3 feet and 4 hands on one standard size paper.
  • Glue sticks.
  • Contact paper for the fancy at-home laminating.

Sam's 3 year old feet make me smile.

Step 2: Trace feet and one set of hands.




Steps 3, 4, and 5: (Good practice for ages 5 and up.)
  • Cut out feet and one set of hands.
  • Then trace other two sets of hands with template.
  • Cut out the rest of the hands. 




Step 6: Glue turkey together.
  • Overlap the heels to form a head and glue.
  • Arrange the hands around the brown body and glue in place.
  • Glue the entire turkey to a piece of construction paper.




Step 7: Color eyes, beak, waddle (red hangy thing) and feet. Also have your child write his name, the year and how old he is.




Step 8: Use clear contact paper to cover your turkey place mat and save forever. Also, resist the urge to correct your child's cutting skills. It will be hard but the oddly shaped fingers make the turkey even more precious!

I love my little turkeys, both the construction paper ones and the breathing ones! What children's Thanksgiving turkey crafts have you made this month?

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November. 

* Enchanted Learning is a membership site, however, not all of their pages require a membership to be viewed. Hands and Feet Turkey may come up if you search for it. My access is provided as a bonus to my RI Guild of Home Teachers membership. However, I think the personal membership is worth the price given all the projects and worksheets available!

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving

When purchasing holiday related books I look for both detailed and generic books. Squanto and the Thanksgiving Miracle is one of those detailed Thanksgiving books. It focuses on just Squanto and his part in the first Thanksgiving story.

The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern is a generic Thanksgiving book. By generic I mean it tells the broad story of the Pilgrims leaving England, traveling in the Mayflower, building Plymouth and celebrating the first Thanksgiving. It doesn't delve too deeply into any one section of the story.

McGovern does a good job of condensing the Pilgrim story and presenting it in language children can relate to. She makes a point of telling that the children couldn't run and play on the Mayflower and that they worked hard to help their parents build Plymouth.

My children usually connect more with historic stories that mention the lives of children. As a result, I appreciate McGovern including those simple details in her book.

If you are looking for a general Thanksgiving children's picture book, I highly recommend The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving.

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.  

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Friday, November 11, 2011

How to Make a Kid's Pilgrim Hat

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving with young children if we didn't make Pilgrim hats,* right?


First, make a template for a pilgrim hat out of black poster board. It's 14" across the base and 10" high. Fold the brim up at the point it connects to the upper part of the hat. Now you can let your kids trace the template with a crayon or piece of chalk. The crayon or chalk makes the line visible for them to cut along.


Next I cut poster board strips long enough to wrap around my kids' heads. The strip is stapled on the left and right sides of the hat. Tip: staple so the flat side is against the head! The brim will fold up and cover the strip in the front.


Then cut squares of yellow or gold construction paper and black poster board. Glue the black square on top of the yellow. Glue the yellow square to the upper front area of the hat.


Finally connect the strips at the back of your child's head with a paper clip. And take lots of pictures!


Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.  

*Basic instructions for these hats came from FamilyFun.com.


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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

You might say that I have a thing for holiday books. Since I own about 20 Thanksgiving books; you'd probably be right. Out of my rather large collection, Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas is one of my favorites.

From the back of the book:
"Every once in a great while, the hand of God is easy to see, and so it was with a lonely Patuxet brave and a struggling band of Pilgrims.

In 1608, a 12 year old boy named Squanto was captured in America and taken to Spain as a slave. With the help of Spanish monks who taught him about God, Squanto made his way to England and finally back to his homeland.

Squanto arrived to find an empty village - a deadly virus had wiped out his entire tribe. In their place, a small group of struggling Pilgrims settled and called their new community Plymouth.

Because of his time with the monks and in England, Squanto could communicate with the Pilgrims and knew about God. Soon he became their valuable guide and true friend."
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving is one of my favorite Thanksgiving children's books because it gives a different perspective to the story that the Native Americans helped the Pilgrims survive. Instead of the usual politically correct version, Metaxas tells Squanto's story in view of God's sovereignty.

God knew when the Pilgrims would arrive. And He knew they would need someone to teach them to farm their new land. So He took something horrible, slavery, and transformed it into something amazing, the preservation of Squanto and the Pilgrims.

I love the concept of God changing something bad into good. It gives me hope for my own life. Specifically it gives me hope that my miscarriage and incurable disease (rheumatoid arthritis) may have beautiful consequences one day. That hope doesn't make them easy now. It just makes them more endurable.

If you are looking for a book to add to your Thanksgiving collection, I highly recommend Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving. Maybe reading about Squanto's life will bring you hope like it does me.

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.  

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy

The everyday life of children from history fascinates my children. What did they eat? What did they wear? What games did they play?

These questions about the Pilgrims came up as we studied the Mayflower and learned it carried 34 children. Thankfully, we own a book that answers those questions.

Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters is about exactly what the title says. The story picks up Samuel's life in 1627 - 7 years after he traveled across the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower with his parents.

The best thing about this book is that it includes full color photographs! We see each of the garments Samuel puts on in the morning. We see his family eating a meal together. And we see Samuel working in the field with his father.

Samuel Eaton's Day makes an excellent resource as we learn about Thanksgiving this month. My children have enjoyed reading it and pouring over the pictures. No doubt your children will enjoy it, too.
Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where  more Thanksgiving tips and links are shared throughout November.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

A Visit with Pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation

How do you fare, goodwife? Pull up a chair near the hearth and while you eat your pottage I'll tell you about my visit to Plymouth, Massachusetts last year. Unfortunately, another visit is not in our Thanksgiving plans this year but we will make do with other holiday activities.


Plimoth Plantation is a re-creation of the Pilgrim village. Museum staff that work in the village are costumed interpreters. They are amazing actors who will only relate to you as their character who was a real person in the village in 1627.



The blacksmith fascinated us as he pumped giant bellows to increase his fire. Then he hammered a piece of metal into a nail. I think they really use the nails as they build and make repairs. The Museum tries to be as authentic as possible. Can you imagine doing work like that while in character and answering questions? It's fascinating!


Walking through Plymoth Village brings history to life. We saw and touched the grasses being used to thatch a roof. We smelled the smoke that permeates the homes. And we heard the odd-to-us words spoken by our Pilgrim forefathers.


The best part of Plimoth is definitely the interpreters! They turn historical names into living breathing people. Watching a Pilgrim woman maneuver around a fire with her long and heavy skirt takes all the romanticism out. And listening to the Governor discuss relations with the Indians gave me a sense of the fear Pilgrims initially had of attack.

Well, I'd better say fare thee well. I have breeches to mend and a couple of pillowberes to sew before I start cooking dinner. Thanks for stopping by!

Have you visited Plymoth Plantation? What was your favorite part?

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.

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Monday, November 7, 2011

Plymouth and Pilgrim Kids' Thanksgiving Activities

"Little boys wore long dresses until they were six years old. After that, they dressed like men."

Ellie's version of the Pilgrims

Everyone knows that the Pilgrims dressed differently than we do today. But, did you know that the clothes we traditionally think of as Pilgrim was actually their Sunday church clothes? The rest of the week the wore colored garments!


On Day 3 of our month long Thanksgiving study we read about the Pilgrim's colony of Plymouth. We learned that mothers taught reading at home, everyone worked - including children, and that no one ate with forks.

After reading more from If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 by Ann McGovern, we pulled out our Thanksgiving journals. We drew Plymouth and Pilgrims.


We also made a list of "three ways my life is different from the life of Pilgrim boys and girls. Ben wrote: Three ways my life is different from the Pilgrims. We eat with a fork. The Pilgrims ate with their hands. Boys wore dresses when they are 5 and younger. Their spoons or clam shells. They played with balls and ?? ??.


Clearly we need to work on spelling and grammar more but I think it's terrific for a 1st grader without help from mom!

What Pilgrim or Plymouth related activities are you doing this month?

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.

* More Thanksgiving Kids Activities and Books Posts 

My Visit to the Mayflower II

As I stepped aboard the Mayflower II (not to be confused with the SMB Mayflower), I wondered what the Pilgrim women felt when they climbed aboard the first time. Busy corralling children and stowing baggage that must have focused on the tasks before them and ignored their fears and apprehensions of sailing out into the unknown.

The Mayflower II

My children excitedly explored the open-to-us areas on deck. William asked a costumed interpreter a few questions about sailing and the ship. Then curiosity drove us below deck to see the area of the (replica) Mayflower that the Pilgrims called home for months.

Sailors quarters
Once below deck I first noticed the lack of lighting. Plimoth Plantation museum installed electrical lighting in the area (and my camera flash filled in a lot more) so you can see to get around but I wouldn't want to try to read fine print for long. I'm sure the candles and lanterns provided the Pilgrims limited lighting as well.

A bunk in the captain's quarters.

Next I realized cold permeated the large room. (Our visit took place in November so it's different during the summer. Also, I wore a sweater, denim jacket and jeans. And was still cold.) I imagine the Pilgrims also felt cold in their temporary home below the water line. Cold and wet as water leaked in from the deck above during the many storms, how did they do it?!

I admire the Pilgrim women. Their bravery and commitment to their husbands should be commended. I don't think I have what it takes to uproot my family, transform an uncomfortable ship into a temporary home, and journey to an unknown place.

I don't have what it takes but I'm sure glad the Pilgrim women did! Could you do it? Would you want to?

Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where I'm sharing more Thanksgiving tips and links throughout November.

* More Thanksgiving Kids Activities and Books Posts

Sunday, November 6, 2011

A Family Night on the SMB Mayflower

According to a filed Thanksgiving plan the SMB Mayflower set sail for the New World Friday night. She carried 4 passengers, their assorted stuffed animal cargo and 2 crew members.


The travelers aboard the SMB Mayflower began their voyage with high spirits. First Mate Mama assembled provisions of cheese, beef jerky (salt pork) and root(beer). Hard tack had also been baked especially for the trip.


Because there are no chairs, tables or individual plates aboard the SMB Mayflower everyone came together on the floor of the living room around the communal platter. Following a sweet blessing, all began to eat.

The seafarers soon lodged complaints with First Mate Mama regarding the inedible hockey pucks hard tack. Not wishing to make an emergency trip to the dentist because of a chipped tooth, First Mate Mama quickly scoured her galley and found a package of saltine crackers.


High spirits restored, our young pilgrims finished their meal and moved on to the evening's entertainment - a rousing game of Cariboo.

As the evening grew late, the SMB Mayflower veered off her original sailing activity plan along the Parental Bedroom Shipping Lane. Captain Daddy made a slight course adjustment and the SMB Mayflower settled into the Ellie and Sam Bedroom Shipping Lane. No passengers complained about the detour since it resulted in much chatting, giggling and fun.


As the ship docked this morning, all passengers agreed that their voyage on the SMB Mayflower was a lot of fun and worth doing again. During our interview First Mate Mama said, "This inaugural trip will definitely be an annual tradition for the SMB Mayflower. The only change I foresee is using 3 day old biscuits in place of hard tack."


Be sure to like Stephanie's Mommy Brain on Facebook where more Thanksgiving tips and links are shared throughout November.

* More SMB Thanksgiving Kids Activities and Books Posts  


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