"Candy Ballerinas on my Birthday Cake!"

Ashley has her final performance. The girls danced to an old song called "Candy Ballerinas" They were so dang cute I almost couldn't stand it!

And the Gold goes to....

Allen's session of gymnastic is over. He had a blast and looked forward to each class! We were brought into the final class to observe their routines and they even allowed siblings to try out the equipment! Needless to say, I have registered all of the kids for some degree of gymnastics for the next session!

Five Kernels

The first winter in Plymouth was very cold

And hunger abounded as the year unrolled.

Some days each only had five kernels of corn.

Their lives were becoming sad and forlorn.

But then spring came and their harvest grew.

The pilgrims began to thrive and their spirits did too.

But they never forgot the bleak times after they did abate

So on Thanksgiving they'd put five kernels on each plate.

The first kernel reminded them of the autumn beauty.

The second one of the freedom that they held dearly.

The third reminded of their love and care for each other

And the fourth was for dear friends like the Indian brother.

The fifth kernel reminded of God's love and care for all.

So as you prepare and celebrate Thanksgiving this fall,

Remember to put five little kernels on each dinner plate

To honor the pilgrims and give thanks for our good fate.

Pay It Forward

Some friends are doing this and I thought that it sounded like fun.I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange.You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days!The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.) I can't wait to see who I will be giving to. To join, just cut and paste this on your blog and comment away. So get posting!! 'Tis the season for giving...and blogging :)

The Thanksgiving Story

Though it was not called Thanksgiving at the time, what we recognize as the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony along with about 90 Wampanoag Indians. The Pilgrims had suffered through a devastating winter in which nearly half their number died. Without the help of the Indians, all would have perished.
After the first harvest, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer to God. The food, which was eaten outdoors, included corn, geese, turkeys, ducks, eel, clams, leeks, plums, cod, bass, barley, venison and corn bread. The feast lasted 3 days. Though the exact date is unknown, the feast clearly took place in late autumn.
In 1623, a period of drought was answered by colonists with a proclamation of prayer and fasting. This prayer and fasting was changed to another thanksgiving celebration when rains came during the prayers. Later that year, Governor Bradford proclaimed November 29 as a time for pilgrims to gather and "listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."
Throughout American history, there were many thanksgiving proclamations and celebrations. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a National Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November, in honor of the new United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, later discontinued it, calling it "a kingly practice."
In 1863, Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of the poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb," convinced Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday. For the date she chose the last Thursday in November because of Washington's proclamation. In 1941, it was officially changed to the fourth Thursday in November.
Since Abraham Lincoln's proclamation, it has been a custom that all presidents of the United States make Thanksgiving proclamations every year. One of George W. Bush's proclamations came just two months after the September 11 tragedy. He stated that In thankfulness and humility, we acknowledge, especially now, our dependence on One greater than ourselves.
All of the early Thanksgiving celebrations had one thing in common. The thanksgiving was directed toward God. It did not matter that many had very hard times. The people knew that God was their creator and provider and that all good things ultimately came from Him.

Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. ~Doctrine and Covenants 59:7

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

~1 Chronicles 16:8

The Dentist

The Girls had their first trips to the dentist today! Our previous dentist retired to go on a mission with his wife and we have been searching for a new one ever since. It really is hard to find a good dentist, no wonder people avoid it!

Anyways, this office was amazing. Totally about the kids and completely in tune with their needs and concerns. Ashley "played" with all of the instruments first, and also learned how to kiss the sucky tube. She loved it.

Because Madison is younger, they didn't even make her sit in the chair. She layed on my lap and her exam/cleaning went really well. I was so impressed.

It is a husband(for the adults)/wife(for the kids) team and they are quite young, so I think we are set for a long time! Yeah for us. This is totally a referral for anyone who is looking it was that good of an experience.

Spring Cleaning?

I don't know why, but this year I couldn't wait for spring. Usually I do a major purging expedition right before school gets out. The kids have no idea the piles of stuff and clothes I get rid of every year. For some reason (and I know I'm not the only one-you know who you are) I have this overwhelming desire to clean it out. Remove all the excess in our house. No I'm not 'nesting.' And yes I am rambling, but I just found it interesting that my whole cycle is out of whack. Oh well, just thought I would share the randomness with you.