Thankful Turkeys

When David was about two, I saw this post on a friend’s website and thought it was crazy cute. However, the idea of plucking a feather from this poor turkey every day and ending up with a sad, naked, embarrassed little bird was just sad. But I just loved her alternate idea of writing down one thing you are thankful for every day in November. We have been doing it every year since, and a lot of my friends have started the tradition now too. And this year was fun because it’s the first time we made 3 thankful turkeys! 

Seeing what they come up with every day is one of my favorite things ever, because it usually ranges from practical {our house – Mason, age 2} to hilarious {all of the songs; dinosaur socks – Connor, age 3; Apple butter – David, age 5} to tear-jerking sweet {smiles, hugs – Connor, age 3; “vetrans” – David, age 6}.

They’re super easy to make. For each turkey, cut out one large brown oval for the body, one small brown circle for the head, a small orange triangle for the beak, and a wavy red piece for the snood. Then you need one feather for each day in November. Of course, this year, the first year we made 3 turkeys, Thanksgiving is as late as it can be, which meant I had fun cutting out 84 feathers. Tip: stack up your construction paper and cut a bunch at a time. Your scissor hand will thank me. {Great, now all I can think of is Edward Scissorhands.} 

Once you have your feathers cut out, and assuming your hand still functions, write numbers 1-28 {or how ever many days there are in November up to Thanksgiving}, one on each feather.

 

Create the face by gluing on the beak and the snood and draw on eyes. Connor decided he wanted a girl turkey with eyelashes, while Mason went a little more Picasso-style.

 

Then glue on all the feathers! The boys like doing them out of order, because they think it’s fun to search for the right day {we’re easily entertained in this house}.

We made these last night {because I’m a slacker}, so we just came up with 6 things we were thankful for all at once. Trying to explain the concept of gratitude to a 2-year-old is tough, so I just told him to think of things he loves, things that he’s glad we have and things that make him happy. I think he did a pretty good job, myself.

Do you do anything to count down to Thanksgiving or talk about gratitude in your house?

 

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