I love fall, don’t you? What a great time of year! I also love Thanksgiving and I thought it would be fun to list some sites that have great crafts for you to do with the kids this month so here we go!

• Turkey Crafts from Family Fun
• Super fun Paper Cup Turkeys from Kaboose
• A selection of Thanksgiving coloring pages from DLTK
• More great turkey crafts from Amazing Moms
• This basket full of leaves from Danielle’s Place looks like a great way to learn new words

These are just a sampling – you can find tons more just by Googling “Thanksgiving crafts for kids”. Try some out and let us know how you and your kids liked them.

Now it’s your turn – drop a tip in the jar!

Thanksgiving can be a little stressful when you have company coming and you have to cook the whole meal. Sure the company is bringing a pie and will help with the dishes and clean up, but you’ve got a whole lot of work ahead of you when you wake up on that special Thursday morning. Don’t despair and stress – rally the troops!

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got one or two or more children running around that house don’t you? Put them to work and give them all jobs. Just don’t mention the words “work” or “job”. Kids like to be helpful, especially when they see how much you appreciate it. Let them help!

First off, you need to have a plan. Take some time before Thursday morning to plot everything out. Of course you know what you want to prepare and serve – you do the same thing every year, don’t you? So that’s the easy part. Really look at each recipe and see what’s involved. You could probably do it in your sleep, but your kids can’t. Assign a recipe to each child, depending on their skill level. You may even want to find an easier version of the recipe. Go over the steps with your child and explain how it’s all going to work. Do kind of a foodless dress rehearsal with them.

If the child is too young to do a whole recipe, just give them certain tasks in a recipe and have them help you. Little ones can melt butter in the microwave, mash the potatoes, wash the vegetables, toss the salad, and put the marshmallows on the sweet potato casserole.

This is one meal where everything seems to happen at the same time. To help prevent this, the kids can mash the potatoes ahead and keep them warm in the crockpot, ditto with the sweet potato casserole and veggies. If you don’t have a way to keep them warm, time them to come out before the mad rush, put a lid on them and wrap them in several towels. They can stay quite warm that way. The salad can definitely be made earlier in the day or even the night before.

Try to schedule the prep time so there aren’t too many people walking around the kitchen with sharp knives at once.

What about the pies? Kids love to make the pies! Go with the pre-made pie crusts if their pastry skills aren’t quite up to snuff. Maybe they could pick the pies they want this year and shake tradition up a bit. I’m sure a Chocolate Dream pie is a tradition in someone’s home even if it isn’t (yet) in yours.

Keep one step ahead of total chaos by having someone wash the dirty dishes that are accumulating. Perhaps those who are watching football on TV could lend a hand! Not only will there be fewer dishes to do at the end, but it leaves lots more room for the cooks to prepare the grand feast.

If you give it some thought and plan ahead of time, this Thanksgiving could be a lot easier on you and a heck of a lot more fun for the whole family. Have a good attitude and lots of patience and just enjoy yourself. Your kitchen will be filled with those you love, and that’s something to be thankful for.

Peggy is the editor of the popular Cookin’ Kids Newsletter. Interesting themes, fun facts, silly clip art, easy recipes, kid jokes, cooking terms, and safety tips make this newsletter a hit with kids! Learn more about it at cookinkids.com

Article Source: LadyPens.com

“Mama to Quadruplet Boys. Blogging our Adventures, Bloopers, Challenges, and Joys in Parenting Multiples Through Photography and Candid Posts.”

Wowie! Quadruplet boys! Sounds like QuatroMama has her hands full! I can’t wait to read all of their adventures! You can follow QuatroMama on Twitter as well – @Quatro_Mama.

Yoplait Delights are heavenly! Smooth, creamy, and in a surprising 100 calories they are actually a filling snack! I have been having them as a morning snack and on the days I don’t do that I have them as an evening dessert. My sweet tooth is happy, but I am not over indulging in sweet! It is a yogurt treat that gives me that heavenly pudding sensation I so desire.

Seriously, you should try them – they are THAT good!

*BlogMommas is in no way affiliated with Yoplait and received absolutely NO compensation for this post. We just love this stuff for real!

If you are trying to lose weight then stop skipping meals. As moms we often “forget to eat” or we figure if we just skip it altogether that maybe we will lose that extra pound or two (or ten!) – But we couldn’t be more wrong! Skipping meals forces your body into defense mode – that is when you start storing everything as fat! Eating breakfast every morning and taking the time to have a small snack (think yogurt, string cheese, or a handful of nuts) between meals will actually help to rev up your metabolism thus allowing you to begin shedding those extra pounds.

Now it’s your turn – drop a tip in the jar!

“Do you make your children go to bed at a reasonable time? Do you make them eat something other than candy and soda for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Do you put the steak knives up high so they can’t throw them at the new target they drew… on the wall? Then congratulations! You are a Mean Mommy! Our mission is to find humor in everyday-life. To be able to take moments that drive us crazy and turn them into laughter. To create a place where all ‘mean mommies’ can relate.”

Haha! Yeah, I am such a mean mommy! LOL!!! I can’t wait to wade through this blog – dive on in with me!

Beth describes her blog as, “My ramblings, thoughts, and observations as a Christian SAHM defending home, hearth, and all things breakable against a two-toddler raiding party.”

I love that description! “against a two-toddler raiding party” – Boy do I know that all too well, LOL!

I enjoy reading Beth’s adventures via my Google Reader and I love to see what Flicka and Pojke are getting into or what activities they are up to daily. A fun blog with family warmth – you are gonna love it! Head over to Life with Two Little Vikings today and let Beth know BlogMommas sent ya!

So we sat and talked and went through a few ideas as to what I might like, but it wasn’t until he said “peacock” that my heart jumped.  Yes, that was what I wanted!  Peacocks have amazing symbolism – in Christianity the symbolism is of rebirth.  Peacocks shed their feathers every year and then grow them back – it is like death and resurrection – yes, I loved it!  A constant reminder of my faith right there to always see – perfect!

I told my tattoo artist that it was a go and he began sketching – not on paper, but on my leg!  Yes, there with a pen he drew the tattoo freehand on my ankle and when he was done I was blown away!  He is an amazing artist!  I loved it and told him to go for it – and he did – and here it is:

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but from top to bottom the tattoo is 7 1/2 inches long so it is a fairly good size.  I absolutely love showing it off and I just couldn’t be happier.

24.7% said YES
38.4% said NO
37% said STILL DECIDING

It seems that while some people really do know that they want this vaccine for sure, the vast majority are either undecided or have flat out said no to it. I was one who voted no. I have my reasons – I am not fond of vaccinations of any kind. I watched my son received a thimerosal laced flu vaccine when he was 18 months old and then watched him have a very serious seizure directly after – I then watched him regress in every way possible and then experienced a whirlwind of evaluations, appointments, therapy and more that led to a diagnosis of Autism. Do I blame the vaccine? No, not entirely, but I do think that the flu vaccine along with other vaccines (he got very sick after the MMR/Chicken Pox double hit) played a big part. I think some kids are born with immune systems that can’t handle toxins and thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative that is toxic – it is a toxin to the body along with many other toxins in vaccines, but I digress… I said no. You can request flu shots (including the H1N1) without thimerosal, but you can’t always guarantee your request will be met. Again, I use my own experiences as an example. I asked the doctor not to give my son a particular shot and she supposedly relayed the information to the nurse – as it turns out the nurse did not listen and before I knew what was happening my son had a needle full of something I didn’t want him having shoved into his leg – accidents happen people.

So, I say no – I don’t trust this very new vaccine, I have a lack of trust in medical professionals to always do what they are asked to do, and frankly when healthcare officials and vaccine manufacturers say point blank that they will not get a vaccine that raises a huge red flag for me – and the red flag makes me say no.

There are other opinions in this debate and we received a few comments that I would like to share.

Angela said, “We are not going to be getting the h1n1 vaccine and here are the reasons behind our decision:
#1. The experts are now saying that it might be too late
#2. This vaccine is too new for my taste. It took me 2 years to warm up to the regular flu shot
#3. The h1n1 vaccine has mercury in it
#4. I feel that the flu shot should be enough AND on top of that the experts are now saying that the flu shot “may” offer some protection against h1n1
#5. I put my faith and trust in the Lord almighty that no matter what happens he will see our family through”

Stormie shared a a different view, “I must say that after a lot of research I will be getting my kiddos the H1N1 vaccine.
1. The nasal spray does not include the preservative which is mercury based.
(All flu shots have the mercury based preservitive in it.)
2. Top authorities do not know how long the H1N1 flu will circle around.
3. I don’t want to hold my babies hand in the hospital.
4. Although my faith in the Lord is strong, it is my responsibility to help protect my family too.”

Teener said, “No, we will not be getting this vaccination because quite frankly, it scares the bejeezus outta me!
Does anyone remember the flu from the 70s? I believe it was the Asiatic Flu.. the one where the vaccination was worse than the actual flu and a lot of people died..
Just take care of yourselves, eat right, get plenty of vitamins D and C. Wash your hands often, take advantage of the hand sanitizers. blah blah blah.. I personally like to carry Clorox wipes with me for grocery carts etc.. also. I cannot stress the importance of hand sanitizer.. money.. it’s the worst thing in the world next to shopping carts!”

What it all boils down to is personal decisions – if you decide this shot is good for you and your family then go for it.  If you decide you don’t want to risk this shot, then don’t.  Whatever choice you make you are making it out of love and caring for yourself and your family and in that way you can never go wrong.

We all have opinions and I have shared mine along with others here, but my opinion should not be used for you to decide what you will do – read up on it, stay informed, and make a choice that you can live with.

Halloween is Saturday and we all know how important it is to have our kids wearing reflective clothing and carrying flashlights, but if you want that one little extra measure of protection here is an idea for you – Go to your nearest dollar store and pick up a glow stick necklace. Put it together and have your kid wear it around his/her neck. They are bright, kids love them, and every bit helps to keep your kids safe.

Now it’s your turn – drop a tip in the jar!

**Hey, don’t forget to take your chance at winning the new Jonny Diaz CD. With seven chances to win you definitely have good odds – Positive, encouraging music that you’re gonna love!