Let us share some ideas we have used and please, share your suggestions as well – you are a most creative group!

Ways for Children to Say Thank You…

1. Draw a picture of the toy. Have the child draw a picture of the toy and let their imagination run with the idea. If they are too young, label the picture and any comments the child made while creating this unique thank you. Be sure this is immediately given in person or mailed – a thank you not given isn’t much good…

2. Have several people to thank for this one picture? Take a photo of the drawing (get as close as possible, fill the whole picture frame with the drawing and do not tilt the drawing – this will give you the best photo quality. If it is digital, you could email it, otherwise, print right away and send promptly.

3. Schedule a play date with the giver so the child and the giver can enjoy the gift together.

4. Photograph your child playing with the gift and send to the giver. Have several gifts to thank a giver for? Make sure several of the gifts are in the same photo, even if only in the background – maybe it seems staged, but it works for a busy mom!

5. A family tradition in my husband’s family when he was young, was to gather all his gifts after opening for Christmas or a birthday, and take a photo. Of course as a child, he complained, but now it is one of our favorite type of photos in his scrapbook – brings back many memories.

6. When you have a list of people to thank, the most efficient method might be to order one of our multi-photo thank you cards and you can share the joy with the photos taken at the gift opening.

7. If your child is chatty, have them call the giver. We always liked to have the children call when they had drawn or written the thank you since their enthusiasm was bubbling over and, hopefully, this is communicated.

Please remember to show your children there are various ways to express appreciation and most importantly, that appreciation needs to be expressed, otherwise what good is it?

Please share ways you have your children say “thank you” – I know you have creative ideas to share!

The wonderful classic in children’s literature is the book, Pilgrim’s First Thanksgiving by Ann Mcgovern. “A long time ago, some men and women, boys and girls, two dogs and a cat sailed on a ship across the sea…” Ann Mcgovern is excellent at weaving a historical story that even three year olds will enjoy and understand.

Looking for a “belly laughing” story? 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston is so cute and funny, I attracted attention when giggling in the bookstore… this book is just plain silly! The story is about ten fat turkeys walking along a fence, when one by one they fall, break the fence, and perch on a tree instead. The cute little verses are funny, and intended to appeal to the very young, or young at heart. Definitely am adding this book to our collection.

Clifford’s Thanksgiving Visit by Norman Bridwell is a book not yet in our collection, but soon to be added. Clifford still holds an esteemed place in the toddler’s world…we won’t tell the beloved toy Ducky that, though! While you are taking a look at this book, be sure to scroll down to Clifford’s Christmas as well – especially since you will be wanting that one soon.

Acting out and telling the Thanksgiving story needs some props (like Little People) and this is perfect for Lil’ Duck, who is in the toddler preschool age. Given his recent interest in pirates and boats, the Little People Mayflower Playset will be perfect. Then add the Little People Thanksgiving Celebration – Pilgrims and Indian Friends for “the rest of the story”. This will have the little ones “replaying” the always amusing events of our family get together in the days to follow Thanksgiving.

While you are there and to get the most play value, why not see A Little People Christmas Story Nativity?

Crafts for Thanksgiving and fall are especially fun and Kathy Ross craft books are easily adaptable for younger and older ages. All New Crafts for Thanksgiving by Kathy Ross will have your children constructively creating while giving you time to prepare for the coming day. Why not have the children decorate the table with their creations? Having a group of childern at the Thanksgiving dinner? Instead of playing another DVD, pick a few easy to do crafts and let the cousins have fun making crafts (and memories!).

The generations can have fun together and playing Jingo Thanksgiving will be better than your little one only remembering how “Grandpa always snores after dinner”! Look at the Christmas version if there is a gathering in the future…

Make your life easier when it comes to the Thanksgiving programs and plays your children are participating in this year. Ready made costumes…Child’s Toddler Cute Indian Boy Costume (2-4T), Indian Girl, Child Pilgrim Girl Costume – wonderful for Thanksgiving Plays. Save $10 off all costumes plus free shipping by ordering $50 on costumes and accessories from a single merchant before September 30, 2008 by visiting the promotion page here: Amazon.com’s Costume Store.

While you are thinking of Thanksgiving, don’t forget the need for Advent calendars in the days just after Turkey Day. Playmobil has a countdown to Christmas plus a surprise for each day and this will be a holiday tradition year after year. Take a peek at Advent Calendar Animal Christmas. For older ones, they enjoy the rich art you have come to expect from a Dover Publication in the Old-Time Christmas Village Sticker Advent Calendar by Darcy May. The easy to peel off stickers are perfect for years of use. Both young (2-3 yr) and older ones will enjoy watching the village grow and take on detail. If these aren’t quite what you are looking for, then scroll down to the three pages of various other advent calendar selections – surely you will find the special calendar for you. I will be sending one to our nieces for their pre-Christmas enjoyment!

What starts right AFTER Thanksgiving? The Christmas holiday shopping season! Bookmark this in your favorites right now: Amazon-Favorite One

We will be updating favorites lists and gift suggestions for all ages and especially gift giving ideas to help with those “hard to buy for” friends and family. Also, unique gift ideas will be in our blog. So come often, there might be just the idea you are looking for!

Grandma Duck

A yellow Duck – of course we had to find one of the most adorable Baby Duck Costume and Toddler Big Bird Costumes for you to view! A funny story about Lil’ Duck: he now “introduces” his yellow stuffed duck to strangers while out and about – well he is quite particular about informing the person that “This is Ducky. She is NOT Big Bird!” Makes you wonder if Lil’ Duck and Ducky had a “conversation” regarding this embarrassing introduction mix up…

You’ll get a laugh over the Lobster Baby Costume or the Lobster Bunting Halloween Costume especially! Others, like the Christmas Tree Costume
, make you groan – haven’t decided if I like it or not…

Let’s take a trip to the ZOO! Monkeys, elephants and giraffes…well I didn’t see any elephants, but here is the cutest giraffe costume. For the monkey, check out the Monkey Animal Costume and don’t forget the stronger Gorilla Costume for your strong climber types.

R-o-a-r-r-r, here comes a lion in the baby lion outfit! Take a peek through the cage bars at the Panda Bear Halloween Costume, toddler leopard cat dress and baby bear Halloween costume – you just want to hug them!

Sneaking through the house and yard pretending to be an adorable Zebra? Yes, the Baby Halloween Costume Zebra definitely takes the CUTE award ). Check the toddler and children sizes also, Turtle Baby Costume, dinosaur, or a plush dragon makes childhood so much fun! Just think of the hours of imaginative play your children will have with the costumes for months. Let’s continue along the zoo path…

An adorable Zebra? Yes, a zebra costume for baby and this Baby Halloween Costume Zebra definitely take the CUTE award )

Children love dogs – Lil’ Duck thinks our dog is his sister…that is a story for another time… Another CUTE award goes to the Kid’s Dalmation Puppy Dog Costume. Check out these two other puppy costumes: Infant Furry Puppy Dog Costume & the Toddler Puppy Dog Costume – there is so much fur that you wonder where the baby has gone!

Enjoy flying? Want your little one to be a toucan? The toucan baby costume may be just right! Of course, the little one could be a bat, a bumblebee, or a ladybug. Or how about a Dragonfly Halloween Costume?

Have a child who loves to jump? Try the plush frog costume. Or is your little one the sweetest lamb? Maybe she loves to prance around like a baby pony? Have the little guy who would be great as a cute little dinosaur ? Or maybe you have a child like one of ours… he loved to snort like a pig!

Imagination – what a wonderful thing to have! May you enjoy the joy of a child’s imaginative play all year long.

Grandma Duck

See other top 5 lists at the latest Problogger group writing project…

• Feeding pets. Put the food in the dish for them (or have them measure out dry food under supervision if they are old enough not to eat it), then have them take it to the spot and put it down for the pet.
• Making the bed – they can pull up the covers and put the pillow in the correct place (although the tucking usually requires help).
• Setting the table – if you give them dishes one at a time, they can set them on the table (nothing sharp, of course).
• Scraping their plate into the sink/garbage after meals (supervised so that the food ends up in the correct place, of course).
• Cleaning up their room/their toys (made easier with baskets and shelves).
• Putting items in the trash when asked (this is a huge favorite at our house).
• Helping to bring in the groceries (small, unbreakable bags & items, of course).
• Putting their dirty clothes into the hamper/baskets (Lil’ Duck takes this a step farther and puts OUR clothes into the hamper as well).
• Helping to bring the laundry to the washer, putting it into the washer, into the dryer, out of the dryer & putting it away. Lil’ Duck can put folded towels on shelves, socks into drawers, etc. and LOVES to push the laundry baskets around the house of course.
• Putting shoes on the mat/on the shoe rack/in the basket. Lil’ Duck takes all our shoes and puts them in the bucket on the patio for us after we come in from doing errands and such.
• Putting their sippy/dishes in the sink when they are done (something that saves a lot of nasty discoveries later, trust me).
• Helping to dust/wipe down surfaces with a damp rag. Lil’ Duck likes to help clean the windows with a damp rag (just water, I keep him away from the cleaners of course) as well.

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman.

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, George Hauman, and Doris Hauman – teaches a positive outlook on things.

Down by the Cool of the Pool by Tony Mitton & Guy Parker-Rees.

The Jillian Jiggs series by Phoebe Gilman

I’ll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Yes, a Cat Named Marty Cohen by Wendy Ann Gardner

Alligator Baby by Robert Munsch

Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

I Have To Go by Robert Munsch

Bath Time! by Sandra Boynton – available for pre-order now!

Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch

Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

She talked about how she hurt the little girl that was bitten and how sad she must feel (in toddler words, of course), then that we never bite, then had her promise not to do it anymore. Then, when they got home, she went through the toys, selected a stuffed animal and told her that tomorrow she will have to give the toy to the girl she hurt so she will not be sad anymore (I’d recommend a toy which they know is theirs, but isn’t a beloved friend, of course).

Then, from now on whenever she hurts somebody, she will have to give one of her toys away. She put the toy up on a shelf, so it could be seen as a reminder. Then later they made an *I am sorry* card together. In the morning, they talked about it again and she agreed to give the toy to her victim to make her happy again.

Now, I’m not saying that this is a magic cure, that this is for everyone, or that it will even work for my little guy in that situation, but it’s sure worth a try. Talking about it (as much as possible with a little one) and showing consequences for actions is a pattern I try to use when disciplining the little one – he’s old enough to understand when we talk to him, but also needs consequences of course.

Unfortunately that logic was lost on him, but it might work for another toddler…

Along the same lines, Kay suggested using a baby doll to illustrate that when the drain is plugged, and water swirls down, the baby boy doesn�t get sucked in. Of course, out of the millions of toys that he has, he doesn’t own a baby doll…. hmmmmm.

Drea suggested distraction – letting him pick a toy to take in the tub & not mentioning the drain, changing the subject and distracting when he mentions it with talk of “Let’s take your toy into the tub, wow!”. He’s always taken whatever toy he loves at the time into the shower/tub (other than the mechanical ones, altho the motorized Geo train did get a bath once as he tossed it in before we could catch it….) but I’ll have to work on using it as more of a diversion.

Carmen & Jared had a simple solution – using a drain cover to hide the problem altogether. Now, why didn’t I grab one when I was at Walmart this morning?!

A must-read post by Mike was inspired by my request for help:

First, I conquered the drain. I took one of my toy buckets and placed it upside down over the hole. I made sure it is full of water. I didn�t want one of those air pockets to make the bucket weigh nothing and float away. I stood next to the tub and yelled, �Evil minions of the bathroom plumbing, consider yourselves thwarted by my magic bucket of containment.�

Well, after that, my problems should be solved.

Finally, Nancy suggested a combination of the above suggestions – “inverting a small bucket, like a sand bucket, over the drain so he can�t see it. Then, face him AWAY from the drain and get his attention with some fun little bath stickers, like vinyl tub decor. Add a little water gun toy or soap paint. Let him decorate the sides and opposite end of the tub so that he is not concerned about the other end�..with the bucket �protecting� him. Take him out and dry him before emtpying the tub. Pull the plug as you are leaving the room, while distracting him.”

If Lil’ Duck was always tired at the same time every night, I’d definitely put him down at the same time. I think it would also be easier if we didn’t have wacky work hours where Daddy is coming home late at night, encouraging the little guy to play with Daddy since he hasn’t seen him all day.

What do you think? What do you do in your house about bedtime??