We decided to start a new tradition this year. A Thankfulness Tree. For the month of November, everyday, each of us will think of something we are thankful for & write it on a leaf that we will attach to our tree. On each leaf, I also added the initial of the person who thought of it.
I cut a very simple tree shape out of brown wrapping paper & put it up on our game cupboards (Yes, two cupboards FULL of games). Then I cut out enough leaves for the entire month. Every evening after dinner, we each go around & say something we are thankful for. It’s been fun to hear what the boys come up with. Sometimes Zane needs a little help. Most times that we ask him what he’s thankful for, he says, “stars”. He always finds other things though.
It’s been good for all of us to take time each day to be thankful for something specific. Our lives are full of blessings – big (our house) & small (butt paste), profound (God is our Provider) & mundane (roast potatoes AND mashed potatoes – Zane loves potatoes), but blessings all the same.
I am thankful that we have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful that the boys are learning to be grateful & to appreciate all that they have been blessed with. I love that all of Jude’s prayers start with being thankful.
As a worrier, pessimist, melancholic, I need all the reminders & help I can get of all that we have been blessed with. I am grateful that we have an entire holiday dedicated to being thankful. I am thankful for Thanksgiving! I’m looking forward to seeing what we come up with the rest of the month.
Here’s our tree & some of our thankful leaves.
Do you have any traditions around the idea of being thankful?
Lamppostings 
This is so…precious. I don’t mean that in a goofy or sarcastic way. I mean precious in the truest meaning. Your family is a precious entity to God, and to reflect on the blessings He has given you and to give your boys such a powerful visual to remind them of God and his goodness….it is precious. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into a grateful family. Love you!
I agree with Chris! I love this and wish I would have done it when mine were littler. I love your boys’ answers…it gives such good perspective on how secure and lovely the world is when we’re little.
This is a really cool idea! I love it. It’s so sweet that your boys have listed things like ‘Star Wars’ and ‘mashed potatoes’! I just have one question though – what’s butt paste!?
Hey there Nicola – you’re the second Kiwi that’s asked me what Butt Paste is! It’s actually the brand name of the diaper rash ointment that we use. It’s saved some very precious little bottoms in our house! Thanks for reading. It’s good to have lots of New Zealand connections.