Free Printable Gratitude Journal and Don't forget about Tom Turkey!

The past 2 weeks have been extremely low key around here. Our homeschool co-op was cancelled for snow 2 times which means we didn't have to leave the house! It's been really nice and quiet. We've gotten school done, done some cooking, cleaned out a closet, packed 10 shoeboxes! 

Here's my chickie with the boxes we packed. 

Here's an example of what we included in the boxes. 

Contents (l to r): tshirt, notecards, pencils, erasers, pens, crayons, clothes pins, deodorant, devotional, craft project, bookmark, paper, stuffie, fork and spoon, bell neclace, balloons, soap, toothpaste, paperclips, rubber bands, hard candy. 

Also, with all this "free time" I organized a Thanksgiving party for homeschool kids. During this planning, I created a printable for a Mini-Gratitude Journal. It is 2 pages, so print it on card stock and print on both sides of the page. Cut it into 8 cards, punch a hole, tie a cute ribbon and write down all your blessings! 

Here is the link to download it: 

http://bit.ly/1OZ7mQ3

Also, it's that time of year again! 

Don't forget to download and make your Countdown to Thanksgiving featuring Tom Turkey!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Dollar Store Finds for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

We pack a shoebox every year. And my teens and I volunteer for the warehouse every year. It's so much fun! If you are fortunate enough to have a distribution warehouse in your area, I highly recommend signing up to work. You get a free t-shirt, ornament and a huge sense of accomplishment when you see all the awesome shoeboxes! Don't forget national collection week is next week November 16-23rd. For more information on Operation Christmas Child go to the website: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

Every year I try to pack as much as I can in to the box we put together. And being a frugal mama, I always try to get more bang for my buck. So I thought I'd take a trip through our local Dollar Tree and see what we could find in multi-packs. So here's what we found during a really fast run through the store.  I'm sure with a little more time we could have found lots more. These are great for fillers.

Shower Caps for older girls

Microfiber clothes are great for baths or cleaning. 

Great for all ages and both boys and girls!

Can you imaging the look on the little girls faces?

Super cute socks!

Awesome 4 pack!

So cute!

Gotta love the Smurfs :) 

What's in the November Book Pile?

These are the books in my pile right now. What's in your pile? 

Not in the pile because I've been carrying it around with me is From the Start by Melissa Tagg. I was first introduced to the work of Melissa Tagg when I received a review copy of Made to Last. It wasn't bad. I found out that she'd written even more books so of course I had to check them out. From the Start is the first in a series called The Walker Family. 

Comment with your pile! I'm always looking for new authors whose works I can devour. 

Happy Reading!