Loving...

I mentioned a few days ago that we took a trip to a local plant nursery to prepare for our next activity from our Gratitude Jar -- Flowers: Make a special flower delivery! Emily and I had so much fun with this!

At the plant nursery, we found bags of fall bulbs that were 30% off or about $2.00 for several bulbs. Then, Emily asked some of our elderly neighbors if it would be okay to plant some bulbs in their flower beds.

What's that? You want to plant flowers in our yard? Ummm.... Yes, please!!

The reaction was absolutely fantastic! I wish I could have gotten some more photos, but Emily was just so excited and could not wait to get started! After deciding where the bulbs should be planted, we eagerly got to work.

At one point, she was talking to each of the bulbs as she was planting them, "I think you're going to do just fine over here, little flower. You'll grow up big and strong."

Afterwards, we were invited inside for what was probably the best tasting hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies ever! What an unexpected treat!

This was such a wonderful way to get to know some of our neighbors, express gratitude for flowers, and let Emily get involved with a small service project.

A few things:

1. Always ask for permission first!

2. Discuss what you will be planting and where.

3. I wish we had brought a slightly larger shovel, and another set of gardening gloves. Some bulbs need to be planted about 5" deep, and ground conditions can make that difficult in November.

4. Have fun!!

Today's Gratitude Activity

We have been enjoying all of the wonderful things to come out of our Gratitude Activity Jar! So far some of the activities we have done include: donated Jared Boxes to the hospital, invited a friend over to play, and visited the library. We are loving this little jar, and have even added more cards into the mix.

Today, Emily picked the Pie card, which meant it was time to bake a pie for a neighbor. I'm not much of a baker, but I think together we managed to do okay with this one.

We decided to make an organic pumpkin pie. Not exactly from scratch, mind you.... but a pie nonetheless!

I think our neighbor was very surprised! I know I would love to come home to freshly baked pie, and ours was still warm from the oven.

Then we started to prepare for tomorrow's activity. It involves being grateful for flowers. If you're in need of a mood lift, try visiting your local plant nursery. It felt so nice to surround ourselves in all the greenery and brightly colored flowers!

Emily fell in love with this wee little plant.

The colors were amazing!

So much fun, and we have much to be grateful for indeed.

Gratitude Activity Jar

Around Thanksgiving we try to do crafts and activities that promote gratitude and focus on the things we have to be thankful for. Last year we did gratitude journals, but this year we're trying something a little more active -- Gratitude Activity Jars!

I asked Emily to name some of the things she was thankful for, and together we came up with a coordinating activity to go along with it. At first, we were just going to type these up and print them out, but I like to think that by physically writing these things down it sends more positive energy out into the universe. Mark would probably say that's just a bunch of new-age crap, but that's how I like to picture it, anyway!

Decorate your cards with stickers!!

Some of the cards we wrote:

I am thankful for.....

:: Dad -- Do something nice for Daddy.

:: Friends -- Make 1 new friend today.

:: Hugs -- Hug 3 people today.

:: Books -- Visit the library today.

:: Home -- Clean the guest bedroom, and invite a guest over to stay.

:: Play Time -- Invite a friend over to play.

:: Good Health -- Make a "Jared Box" to donate to the hospital.

:: Toys -- Donate a toy to Goodwill.

:: Clara -- Spend some time playing with your sister today.

:: Good Food -- Donate canned goods to the food pantry.

:: Pies -- Bake a pie for a neighbor.

:: Flowers -- Surprise someone with a special flower delivery.

:: Nature -- Play a fun game outside today.

.... and so on. The idea is to pick one card from the jar every day between now and Thanksgiving and do the activity on the card. Emily is looking forward to this with great anticipation!

Fill your jar with the cards....

...tie with a pretty bow....

.... and remember to take time to appreciate all the wonderful things in your life!