A Gratitude Tree of Your Own

by Mary Jane | Nov 9, 2018 | Offline Activities

Now that the good folks of Shady Pines Story Town have shown you the fun and importance of gratitude this season, why not make your own Gratitude Tree? There are so many ways to do it. No one way is better than another. This idea is from Mindy who has a Blog called, The Inquisitive Mom. Here's how she discovered how to make one for her family.

How to Create Your Own Gratitude Tree (Thanksgiving Tree)

I was covered in flour, hands deep in pie dough yesterday when Ella approached me with a children’s magazine open and enthusiastically asked, “Can we make a gratitude tree?” A list of materials needed and the accompanying mess ran through my head, but I quickly set them aside. What’s a bit more mess – especially for a cool project like this.

A Thanksgiving or Gratitude Tree is a paper tree decorated with colorful leaves sharing the many things you are thankful for. The supplies needed are simple and you probably have them on hand.

This would make a great Thanksgiving Day project for kids or the whole family, especially if you think of it less as a decoration and more as a creative project and a fun way to focus on gratitude.

SUPPLIES

Brown paper for the tree. You can use construction paper, paper bags, or even brown packing paper like we did.
Red, yellow, and orange construction paper for the leaves. You could also print colored leaves and simply cut those out as well, but we had fun drawing ours.
Markers
Tape
Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS

Create a tree with branches to the scale you would like for your wall space. You can trace the tree before cutting or free form cut. You can also crinkle your paper to give it a cool effect.

Tape the tree to the wall.

If you would like to cut a hole in your tree for a squirrel or other animal friends, do so before taping it to the wall. Fold your piece of brown paper in half, then cut out a half circle away from the folded edge. After the tree is taped to the wall, you can add in scrap pieces of paper to give it dimension.

Trace and cut leaves from the red, yellow, and orange construction paper. Gather some leaves from outside or pull up a few different types of leaves on your computer screen for inspiration. Remember, leaves come in many varieties and have imperfect edges.

Write something you are grateful for on each leaf. Tape the leaves on the tree branches.

Step back and enjoy your creation.

OUR TREE

The magazine provided leave patterns to cut out, trace, then cut out again. Luckily, Ella has inherited a bit of my “experience over end results” mentality and we quickly decided to simply free form our own leaves. Printing leaves and cutting them out is also an easy option for this project, but we enjoyed sitting together, drawing, and cutting the old fashioned way.

Ours was an impromptu project and we lucked out with the large brown packing paper that arrived in our shipment of Molly’s Suds today. I love how it is crinkled and gives the impression of tree bark and looks more dynamic than smooth paper would taped to a wall. Given more time or preparation, we might have stressed more over the lines or cutting, but writing on our leaves of gratitude together proved the best part anyway.

Inspire Kids to Be Active Citizens

by Mary Jane | Oct 23, 2018 | Offline Activities

To get your copy of this Mom's Choice Gold Award winning book from the Boomer and Halley series, GO HERE

Once you've read, Boomer and Halley Election Day, A Town Votes for Civic Responsibility, here are some things you can do to keep your youngster engaged in civic participation. Keep in mind that emphasizing the importance of taking action to enact change is an important message to send. A person who gets in the habit of voting when their young, tends to continue that pattern the rest of their life.

Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs will be glad to hear that you are spreading the word!

Here are some things you can do with your kids to inspire them to be active citizens:

Vote: It’s difficult to teach your child about the election process if you don’t vote. You should make a point to vote, and when age-appropriate, bring your children with you when you do. If you vote via absentee ballot, show your child the form and explain how important it is to make sure your vote counts.
Don’t Talk Politics, Talk Issues: Politics can be boring for kids, and they may not have a frame of reference for it; but issues such as whether the school year should be longer or why they take standardized tests at school can be discussed easily because it’s relevant to their lives. Ask questions such as, “Do you think it’s fair that the rules are this way?” or “If you could make the rules, what would you do?” It will get them thinking and caring about democracy and their role in it.
Connect Laws to Their Lives: Children may not have a frame of reference for how a law is passed, but they encounter government in action practically every day. When there is road construction on the way to school, it represents tax dollars being spent to improve the community. When a new playground opens or old equipment is replaced with new equipment, it can be traced back to the local government. When they see campaign signs all around during an election cycle, it’s another opportunity to explain what it’s all about.

The Boomer and Halley Project – Helping Animals Displaced By Hurricane Michael

by Mary Jane | Oct 15, 2018 | Offline Activities

The Boomer and Halley Project

To learn about organizations helping with animal rescues in Florida see below.

As you may have read in our Stories section, in honor of their beloved animal family members, Boomerang, their dog and his darling companion cat, Halley's Comet, Harold and Edna Sanders started the Boomer and Halley Project in Shady Pines. Their goal is to bring awareness to the large scale problem of animals affected by the recent monster storm. The Sanders intend to inspire donations to help animals displaced as a result of the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Michael. You can ready that story HERE

The goal is to motivate their neighbors in the small Southern town to find ways to support the efforts of those individuals and organizations who are trying their best to help the animals in hard-hit Florida, and beyond. Some of those efforts are described in this recent post by Lion Tree Group.

By Lion Tree Social

Posted October 10, 2018

In General News

AFTER HURRICANE MICHAEL ANIMALS NEED YOUR HELP

In the wake of Hurricane Michael, we all focus on the devastation, clean up and later recovery. Each year, during the hurricane season, pet owners are forced to leave their animals behind as they are unable to bring them to shelters or hotels. Dogs, cats, and other animals that are left behind, or were caught in the storm, are now being rescued and cared for by owners, neighbors, first responders and animal rescue groups. If you are interested in helping one of these fantastic organizations, please see the ones active now during Michael.

FUR – FLORIDA URGENT RESCUE

Jacksonville animal rescue group the goes on mission to save animals in Hurricane Michael’s path. Organization did the same rescue mission before Hurricane Florence and said the rescue group was able to save more than 120 dogs and cats in the Carolinas.
To donate visit: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.com/

PANHANDLE ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (PAWS)

PAWS is a private, non-profit organization that presently handles more than 7,000 animals annually. Local animal shelter caring for pets in the center of the storm.
To donate: https://www.paws-shelter.org/

EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE REFUGE (ECWR)

The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge on Okaloosa Island force to evacuate all animals from the refuge and into volunteers’ homes for the duration of the storm.

Hurricane Florence Relief Efforts

by Mary Jane | Sep 20, 2018 | Offline Activities

Hurricane Florence may be a memory, but it has left enormous challenges in its wake. People have been displaced and property, roads and infrastructure across multiple states are in tatters. Repairs could take months, even years and could cost billions of dollars. There is much to be done.

The need for relief efforts is great. As you could see by our earlier STORY, the good folks in Shady Pines Story Town are stepping up and lending a hand.

If you would like to do the same, here are some links to well-respected relief agencies:

RED CROSS:

Image result for salvation army logo

SALVATION ARMY

SAVE THE CHILDREN

A Chat With a Parenting Expert

by Mary Jane | Sep 3, 2018 | Offline Activities

After I wrote my Post about parenting being "Inconvenient," I turned to my buddy Elisabeth Stitt for some expert thoughts on the subject. Here is part of that conversation:

Mary Jane:

For someone who deals with parenting issues all the time, meet parenting coach Elisabeth Stitt of Joyful Parenting Coaching. Elisabeth, how do the parents you deal with describe parenting as inconvenient?

Elisabeth:

Boy, Mary Jane, the parents I deal with love their kids to pieces but it sure doesn’t take long for a parent to realize that a kid is inconvenient before the kid even gets here! From building the crib to setting up the room, it becomes real very fast. By the time a child hits preschool, parents will have cleaned poop from behind the couch, wiped crayon masterpieces off the walls and cleaned up messes they never even imagined. But like your friend Betty’s mom, the difference is in how parents respond.

Mary Jane:

I imagine, Elisabeth, inconvenience is just one of the many problems you deal with.

Elisabeth:

That’s for sure, Mary Jane. And today’s parenting challenges are greater than ever. In your Boomer and Halley books, I know that at first, Harold and Edna Sanders weren't sure know what to do as parents, but that’s okay because parenting is a skill: It can be taught, learned and practiced. The great thing about Shady Pines Story Town is that Harold and Edna have a whole community of people ready to support and teach them.

Mary Jane:

That’s right, Elisabeth, and I know that is the kind of help you give parents. For more information on what Elisabeth does go to www.elisabethstitt.com or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joyfulparentingcoaching/.

Read the B&H Book and Now go on a Scavenger Hunt!

by Mary Jane | Sep 3, 2018 | Offline Activities

Now that you've read: Boomer and Halley Scavenger Hunt, Discover Rewards by Working With Others, it's time to go on your own scavenger hunt. Here are some ideas from the folks at Riddle Me to help get you started. Have fun!

Use an Online Scavenger Hunt Generator

Let’s face it — not every parent is the creative type. Even if you are, if you’ve spent the entire morning making beds, making sure everyone’s teeth are brushed, and arguing with your pre-teen about her outfit, you might be too burnt out to come up with scavenger hunt ideas.

Luckily, you can use membership sites like Riddle Me to help. This site creates a scavenger hunt that’s age-appropriate and can be geared towards the special interests of your child.

You can type in how many different clues you want in a specific number of locations. Then, the program will use its database to come up with clues and hints for your family to follow! All you have to do is physically hide the clues.

If you want to have a specially themed hunt (a perfect idea for a birthday party) you can upload any clip art or images you want to the site. Then, the pictures will be used as the background for your clues!

Anything that makes your life easier is definitely something worth looking into.

On-The-Go Scavenger Hunt

Long car trips can certainly be tedious — for parents and children alike.

Looking for ways to make your next road trip go by a little bit faster? This next item on our list of scavenger hunt ideas can help.

To make an on-the-go scavenger hunt, you’ll need to map out your route ahead of time. Familiarize yourself with local landmarks, and create clues that encourage your kids to look out the window instead of asking you “Are we there yet?” for the hundredth time in an hour.

Tell them to look for license plates from all 50 states, different types of buildings, and even different types of cars! When you pull over to a rest area or stop to get a snack, quickly hide a clue to encourage your kids to stretch their legs for a few minutes.

If possible, coordinate with your hotel to have the final clue waiting for your kids upon arrival!

People-Watching Scavenger Hunts

Is your child a little bit shy? Would you like for them to develop their social skills a little more this year?

If so, then a people scavenger hunt is a great solution.

Of course, as the parent, you’ll want to supervise your child closely during this hunt — or simply let neighbors know ahead of time what your child is up to.

This is also a wonderful activity for children to do at a party for both kids and their parents. Have your child look for people wearing or doing different things.

For example, once they spy a man wearing glasses, they can come to you for the next clue. If you work with your neighbors, you can even encourage your child to go from house-to-house, picking up clues along the way.

Your child will be having so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re building their social skills.

Library Scavenger Hunts

Does your child love to read? If so, a book or library-themed scavenger hunt is sure to be a winner!

To play it, pick a few of your child’s favorite books, and hide clues in the pages or in the shelves.

This will help children learn how to find books alphabetically, and will continue to foster their love of reading. It will also expose your child to new genres of books that they can dig into over the summer!

Reward them with a book they can take home at the end.

A Photo Scavenger Hunt

Especially if your kids have an artistic side, they’ll love the next tip on our list of scavenger hunt ideas: having a photo-themed hunt!

Come up with a list of clues that require your children to take a picture of each specific item. You can have your children take pictures of specific items on a cell phone or instant camera. Then, before you show them the next clue, require them to show you the photo!

Not only will your children be able to get creative, but at the end, you can easily transition into the next activity of your day: making a photo album.

The Big Reveal Scavenger Hunt

Have a fun secret you’ve been dying to tell your family? Maybe you’re expecting another member, want to let the kids know you’re moving, or just want to reveal the destination of your family’s summer vacation!

Whatever the secret, we love the idea of creating a special scavenger hunt that will drop hints and eventually lead your family members to learn what the surprise is!

It’s an especially great idea to use a few props as you design these clues to build excitement. Planning on heading to the beach? Use plastic shovels and pails as clues. Make the final clue a seashell, with the destination and dates written on it!

Have a Color-Based Scavenger Hunt

Especially if you’re trying to come up with ideas for young children, having a scavenger hunt that’s centered around colors is a wonderful idea.

Not only will this keep your kids busy for a few hours, but it will also help to teach them about how to recognize different colors.

Color a few different “swatches” of color on a paper bag.

Then, tell your children that they have to find one item from every color, then put it inside their paper bags. For example, they could find a leaf for green, a rubber ducky for yellow, or a rock for gray.

To make sure your kids don’t tear the house apart, make a rule that the items can’t be larger than their fists.

Whoever collects all the colors first, wins!

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