We were happy that this activity would incorporate everyone in our family. I allowed the smaller children to use markers which is a big deal in our family. Although the younger kids could not write their words of thankfulness, I gave them the big task of coloring in the letters and leaves that we had put on the poster. They really enjoyed seeing their art work all over the house. This marker time was special. We normally don’t allow them to use markers often because they can easily sneak away with them and express their artistic abilities in unappreciated places. Our children do a pretty go job of expressing thankfulness toward us and others, but were excited to offer this 30 day challenge and help them illustrate just how much we have to be thankful for. I quickly calculated that with 10 of us (the family members that were old enough to participate) writing down 30 things each, we would have 300 reasons to be thankful.
The kids accepted the challenge and they were doing well with it when in the middle of our thankful 30 experience came a tornado that devastated both our elementary and middle schools. The first thing that we all thought to be thankful for that day was that the twister came on a Sunday (Nov. 17th 2013). Because it was a Sunday there were no children in the schools when it hit. We had so much to be thankful for! We have decided that this will be a yearly tradition in our home. If you would like to start this tradition in your home click the links below to choose the poster that is right for your family. This family challenge begins on November 1st so host your family meeting soon! For added fun hang a poster in your office or classroom! Let us know how it goes! We’d love to hear your stories.
