Michael's Manifesto: Celebrating Thanksgiving 2013

This years celebration for Thanks began with Montessori field trip to the Arlington Heights Historical society where the kids learned about the first settlers. They made turkeys with brightly colored feathers and then had a pretend thanksgiving feast.

Week 2 started with the children having a special visitor in the classroom. He spoke with us about the traditions of the Blackfoot Indians. He also gave a short story about the First Thanksgiving.
Everyone enjoyed the visit and also received a hand crafted arrow head necklace
to take home.

The next week Michael participated in the story of the First Thanksgiving to music. The
children played the parts and played instruments. All the while they have been learning about the value of thankfulness in the classroom, through donating food to the local shelter, and participating in a teacher appreciation lunch.

There a number of turkeys made this month as well Penny made her first turlkey with Miss Carolyn and wouldn't let it go! She was so proud to show it to Michael!

Big turkeys, little turkeys and medium turkeys were made! All hanging on the basement door to for display, its so great to have the kids come home and share what they have done

Michael then had the first of his Thanksgiving feasts. The children enjoyed
setting everything out on the tables. They had a great lunch together. Michael supplied the pumpkin pies!

Michael quit goofing around!!!!

With the hope that it will be a family tradition we headed up to Bass Pro shops to see Santa. The kids had great time playing games, looking at the fish and of course waiting in line for Santa.... Michael and Dad fired a couple guns and shot a few arrows. He played with a train set, a monster truck and slot cars. The palce really has done a nice job with aicitvites for the kids to do while waitign to chat with the big man. Penny wasnt to happy to see him this year, and Micahel did great by stating that he would like " a blue car and blue truck" After Santa Grama and Papa took us out to eat for pizza. It was a wonderful evening!!

Aim high!

My little Pen Pen

Thanksgiving was finally here! Cousin Lisa put out a great spread! The kids had a blast playing with each other, cousin Amy made them a fort in the basement and they spent the later part of the evening watching movies and being silly together, until it was time for pie! The next day was the annual cookie day for the family, the kids had ball playing and sampling the cookies that were made. We all had pizza and ended the night with How the Grinch stole Christmas and of course Gramas reading of the night before Christmas.

We ended the month with a final turkey dinner with the Gorrie clan. What a fantastic group of people we have in our lives! Everyone made the trip up to Arlington Heights, and we had food galore! We oven cooked and grilled a turkey, had potatoes, pie, green beans stuffing and of course wine! Michael got a hold of the camera for a while and managed to take some shots! We are all reminded this year of what we have and how grateful we are that we have it. We gave some MAJOR thanks this year, thanks to everyone who participated, we love you all!