THANKSGIVING! THAT'S WHAT HOLIDAY IT IS.

Quick Takes Today:

1)  The next holiday is Thanksgiving.  I know this for a fact, despite the fact that none of the stores have ANY decent selection of Turkey or Scarecrow bulletin boards.  That I need for the school party Monday.

2)  I also know this, despite the fact that the party is called a FALL party, and not a holiday/Thanksgiving party.  What was that thing Seinfeld had? Festivus?  Why don't we just introduce the 5 year olds to that?

3)  I'm actually pleased that I found out about the missing turkeys today, instead of Sunday night.  This is my version of planning ahead.  I get bonus points for spending umpteen hours on Pinterest 'researching' fall crafts.  And then another hour looking up fall GAMES after I realized that's what I signed up for.  And then another 30 minutes tonight reviewing BOTH crafts and games, when I realized that no one else had signed up for the craft slot.

4) Signup Genius is awesome.  Except when it isn't.  That's pretty much my philosophy on all technology.

5) When the weatherfolk say there's ARCTIC anything in the forecast, it makes me dream of a sandy white beach Christmas.  Hey, maybe that's where all the turkeys and scarecrows are?!

Vote- Fall Crafts?

Happy Fall!  Time for you to enlighten me with your worth-more-than-2-cents-opinion.   I need a fall craft for a group of 5 year olds, nothing religious, and it can't take more than 15 minutes or so..... so, please vote on one of these (see poll to the right!!)  OR send me another suggestion (comments or email).


Option 1:   Handprint Owls 
This is really cute.  http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/17575/handprint-owls
Materials:  Cut and paste, with construction paper.  Prep time:  a bit, since I'd need to pre-cut the smaller parts (beak, feet, eyes).

Option 2:  Hand/Arm/Fingerprint Trees.
I really like the idea of this on canvas, but probably would keep it simpler / cheaper.  Materials:  Paint and construction paper. Prep: minimal, since the kids do most of the work!  Cleanup would be a bit more!

Option 3: Apple Stamping 
Is there a version of this with mini pumpkins or gourds?? With this one, I like the idea of using paper bags, as it can be useful later too, and not just decoration. Materials:  fall veggies (apples, pumpkins, squash, corn?!), construction or other heavy paper, paint OR large stamp pads.   http://happyhooligans.ca/fall-colour-apple-stamping/

Now that I'm thinking about it, I could do any of these on a kids apron, or beige kitchen towel, or paper bag... or even laminate them into place mats to make them more versatile than just a paper craft.  Hmm- what would you LIKE your kid to bring home as a school craft??   Any ideas for take home crafts that that don't involve just paper or decoration?  Create your own toys? Storytelling rocks?  Magnets?  Anyone?