The Thanksgiving Tree

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Dan recently gifted the boys a subscription to Highlights magazine, an early Christmas present.  In the first issue was a tree craft project.  Basically, you take a stick and put playdough leaves on it, and "plant" the tree in a pot of rocks.  On its own, Mommy didn't see much point to it, other than a good way to dry out playdough.  But early in November, as she doing "school" with the boys (working on one letter each day with simple activities), Aden suggested making the tree for the letter T.  Mommy agreed, and added to the idea, calling it a "Thanksgiving Tree."  Each evening after dinner, everyone around the table shares something for which they are thankful.  The "thanksgivings" are written on strips of paper that are stapled into loops and hung on the tree.  As Thanksgiving gets closer, our tree has become quite colorful, and our boys have enjoyed thinking of all the things they are thankful for.  They have also enjoyed hearing what others share when we have company.

This week, following a suggestion Mommy found in an article online, she decided to take it a step further.  Every time she hears one of the boys complaining or whining, they are to stop and say three things they are thankful for, replacing their complaints with an attitude of gratitude.  For a brief moment at the first whine of the day, Mommy thought it would be a tough battle.  When Aden was whining and Mommy asked him to share three thanksgivings, he only whined more.  But Wiley eagerly piped up right away with three things to be thankful for.  Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Aden quickly changed his tune and began to say why he was thankful in that moment.  It happened again at lunch.  This time it was Wiley.  Mommy asked him to say three thanksgivings and Wiley scowled, then as he thought a moment, his countenance changed and he began to think of the things he is thankful for.  In fact, he couldn't stop himself at three! 

We have much to be thankful for this year as we approach the holiday season.  Here are just a few of the thanksgivings that hang on our tree:

South Africa
Our family (everyone's name appears at least once)
Jesus
Laughter
A lost ball that was returned 
The beauty of creation
Christian heritage
Kruger
God's provision for us (especially as we have been praying for the Horn of Africa)
Our church here
Playing soccer
School for Aden
Friends and family around the world (many listed by name)