This Thanksgiving, let’s not just teach our children to be thankful, let’s teach them Who to thank.

1. Crown of Thanks. Cut different shapes and colors of leaves out of colored paper. Write on the leaves what you want to thank God for. Tape on the wall, up around the ceiling. Circle the room with a crown of thanks to the Lord this.

2. Be Thankful Finger Play.

Lord, I have two hands, 10 fingers that can I wiggle
Lord, I’m thankful for jello, yellow jello that I can jiggle

(hold up your hands, wiggle your little finger on your left hand first.
wiggle wiggle – First, I’m thank for_________
Keep your hands up high, wiggle your ring finger next on your left hand
wiggle wiggle – Second I’m thankful for ________
(Keep going with all ten fingers, until you are all the way to your little finger on your right hand.)

Lord, I’m thankful for 10 things, but there’s so many more.
But most of all I’m thankful for Jesus, It’s Him that I adore

3. Thank You Reflection. Keep Post-its in the shape of a turkey or leaf near the bathroom mirror, family members and visitors can write down what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving week and post-it on the bathroom mirror.

4. Thank you List. What we are thankful list, instead of what we want. Do you usually have a ongoing grocery list on your refrigerator, where family members can write down a grocery item that is missing from the cupboards or refrigerator? How about keeping a list of what you are thankful for, this Thanksgiving? Keep a running list of what you are thankful for, that you do have this Thanksgiving.

5. Thankful Cake. On the dessert table this year at Thanksgiving consider including a Thankful Cake. Write on the top of the Thankful Cake in the middle “We are thankful for,,,” Then, write different things that people are thankful for on top of the Thankful Cake, before serving.

6. Thank the Lord Around the World. Thank the Lord in different languages. Write or record thank you in many different languages around the world. Before the Thanksgiving family prayer at the table, you could play the recording, as you thank God for loving the whole world and giving his only begotten son for the world, that whosoever believes in Him, might not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

7. Hymn Sing. Why not continue or start a Thanksgiving tradition of singing together? Sing several hymns or praise songs together before or after your Thanksgiving meal.

8. Thank You Video. You can make a video throughout the morning of Thanksgiving Day, interviewing family members with the question, “What are you most thankful to the Lord for this Thanksgiving?” Show the video before or after Thanksgiving Dinner. Most point and shoot digital cameras come with a video camera function which can serve this purpose well. That the family might know that we are not only thankful this Thanksgiving, but that we know who to thank – To God be the Glory.

Your dinner consists of leftovers taken off everyone else’s plates.

You can change a toddler’s diaper while he is doing cartwheels.

You add baby formula to the mashed potatoes to avoid going to the store for another gallon of milk.

You spend your birthday money on a kit to remove your own ear wax.

You have to get up at 3:00 Am to take a hot bath and actually enjoy talking to the floating plastic penguins your daughter left.

You celebrate finding the last clean diaper like most people celebrate finding a winning lottery ticket.

You aren’t happy when your husband cleans out the car because you’ve now lost everything you own.

You do get a night out at a fine restaurant you still try and order spaghettios with meatballs.

You are happy if someone makes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, for you.

You once lived on your couch for 24 hours without getting up.

You call your husband, dad, because, well, everyone else in the house does…

Your kids bounce, off the ceilings, instead of off the walls.

Your flip flops are both lefties and you can still chase your child down the driveway in less than 3.5 seconds.

You hear your daughter say, “When I grow up, I want to be a mother, only I’ll think I’ll still comb my hair.”

Whisk your loved one away to a Treehouse Cottage! These cottages are unbelievably romantic. They are 22 feet off the ground nestled in the surrounding forest. Even though you feel like you are far away from everything you will discover that civilization, should you decide to leave your little bungalow, is not too far off.

This treehouse includes everything that you two will need. The bedroom, sitting area and kitchen are all equipped with the necessities. The Jacuzzi’s in these treehouses overlook the scenic outdoors. There is also cable TV, DVD, CD and Wifi. You can talk the night away in front of your fireplace or gaze into the sky together while sitting on the deck. Visit Treehouse Cottages at http://www.treehousecottages.com/ and plan your vacation getaway with your sweetheart.

Treehouse Cottages and their owners have been given rave reviews. A little far away for me, but someday that is where I will hideaway.

photo credit: Justin S. Campbell

2. The childbirth coach promised the contractions wouldn’t hurt any more than holding an ice cube in her hand. She’s never been able to take ice in her tea, since then.

3. Rather than playing soothing music in the birthing room, her husband listened to ESPN Classics rerun of the 1987 Super Bowl.

4. The doctor decided to play an additional nine holes and ordered the Pictosin drip turned down to one drip per hour.

5. Her husband took a picture of her facial expressions, during hard labor and used it for their family Christmas letter.

6. The hospital mistakenly delivered a taco supreme with Tabasco sauce, instead of clear broth and ice chips for lunch.

7. The florist tied five dozen helium balloons to the end of the bed, causing it to rise at a 45 degree angle for over an hour.

8. The nurse mistakenly wrote the name of the prescription on the birth certificate — making her the proud mother of a girl named Tylenol 3.

9. Your husband promised the entire delivery room staff a sit down Thanksgiving dinner the day after you arrive home.

10. She overheard her husband in the hallway saying, “I don’t know what the big deal is about labor…I think she’s being overly dramatic…”

2. Mom and dad are doing full-out cannon ball dives into the community swimming pool — that is, until they ask you to leave.

3. Bedtime is now 7:30 sharp — in the morning.

4. You roasted s’mores with the kids over an open fire last night — that is after the marshmallow catches fire on your stovetop.

5. You make truckloads of lemonade for dinner — using the water from the fire hydrant.

6. You call your friends and tell them you’re calling from seaside at Martha’s “Grape” Vineyard — actually you’re sitting in a 2 foot plastic wading pool, after your son smears grape jelly all over his face.

7. You contact Carnival Cruise Line on-line and ask if they will sell your family one way tickets.

8. You tell your husband you’re having “shrimp on the barbie” for supper — actually its your way of telling your husband that your five-year-old daughter left her favorite doll on the gas grille.

9. You call your favorite baby-sitter and insist tonight they read a story and make macaroni and cheese — for you.

10. Mom finally takes a nap — but doesn’t notice, under the sprinkler.

Numerous food vendors are strewn throughout Dutch Wonderland offering something to tantalize everyone’s taste buds.  The Castle Gift Shop is filled with all kinds of souvenirs to take home to help you to remember your special fun-filled day.  Be a part of the pin trading population at Dutch Wonderland.  Starter kits are available for purchase at the gift shop.

The park is open at 10 a.m. with various closing hours depending on the season.  Ticket prices are comparable to other theme parks.  Discount plans are available as well.  Groups and birthday parties are always welcome.  Call for special pricing.  Join in with us on this happy adventure through Dutch Wonderland!

Seaside Heights Boardwalk

It may be seedy and crowded, but the Seaside Heights Boardwalk is a must-see, especially in the summer. As the quintessential New Jersey Shore experience, the Seaside Heights Boardwalk is one mile of rides, greasy food, carnival games and fun. There are plenty of rides for kids of all ages at Funtown Pier and Casino Pier and older brave children will love taking a stroll through the Haunted Manor. For a more mellow ride, hop on the world-famous Skyride and take in the view of the beaches below. Or jettison down a waterslide at Jenkinson’s Breakwater Beach Waterpark at Casino Pier. Rest assured that your kids will not go bored here.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

Show your children what life was like on a turn-of-the-century farm. The Fosterfields Living Historical Farm isn’t fake—it’s a real farm, but uses horse-drawn plows and other old forms of farming techniques. Watch workers churn butter, hang laundry to dry and collect eggs. Kids can help crack corn, watch cows be milked or feed chickens. This historical farm is located in Morris.

Sahara Sam’s Oasis

If your kids love water, they are sure to “ooh” and “ahh” and go wild over this colossal indoor water park in West Berlin. Sahara Sam’s Oasis features a cargo rope obstacle course, a surfing machine, water basketball court, family raft rides, lazy river, and even an arcade. Don’t forget all the mini-geysers and splash zone for the little ones. As an added bonus, the waterpark uses green technology and has a specialized filtering system to keep the water clean.

Surflight Children’s Theatre

Surflight Theatre brings Broadway—and in this case fairy tales—to the beach. Take your kids to see live plays of their favorite fairy tales. Kids can even meet the actors after the show. The theatre is located at Engleside and Beach Ave. in Beach Haven.

Dorbrook Recreation Area

Dorbrook Recreation Area, located in Colts Neck, has all the makings for a day of total fun. First, there’s the Dorbrook spray park, which features dozens of sprinklers, water buckets, splash areas and a large toddler play area. Toddlers to pre-teens will love run through shoots of water on a hot day. Then, there’s the park itself, which is home to one of the state’s largest (and cleanest) sandboxes. If your kids get bored with water and sand, take them on one of the many walking trails or play on the tennis, soccer or basketball courts. Then have a picnic at one of the shaded picnic areas. And, perhaps best of all, the recreation area is totally free.

Butcher’s Mill Covered Bridge, running over Cocalico Creek, was built in 1881.  This is the second shortest bridge of its kind in this Lancaster County area measuring at 68 feet in length.

Red Run Covered Bridge, straddling Muddy Creek, was built in 1866.  This bridge is also called Run Red Grist Mill Bridge and Red Bank Bridge.  Unfortunately, this bridge is no longer open, as it is now privately owned.

Weaver’s Mill Covered Bridge built in 1878 over the Conestoga River is also known as Isaac Shearer’s Mill Bridge.  You will often see Amish folk driving their buggies across this bridge.

Pool Forge Covered Bridge built in 1859, like the Weaver’s Mill Covered Bridge, also lies across the Conestoga River.  History records state that before he became President James Buchanan met his fiance here.  Unfortunately, she passed away before actually taking her hand in marriage.  James remained a bachelor and in fact is the only President to stay that way.

Bitzer’s Mill Covered Bridge, also covering the Conestoga River, was built in 1846.  Other names that this bridge is known by are Fiantz’s Mill Bridge, Martin’s Mill Bridge, and Eberly’s Cider Mill Bridge.  This bridge is Lancaster County’s oldest bridge and still being used today by tourists.

Still used today by romanticists, these bridges will never lose their magic in terms of the history of love and beauty.

Various other places of interest along the way include a farmer’s market, an auction, stores, restaurants, and furnishings all filled with handcrafted items, art, music, delicious food and more.

photo credit: Chris Happel

The Forest Service and the Ad Council created a microsite for the campaign where you can find local parks and pick up ideas on what to do on an outdoor adventure (leaf rubs, tracking animals, learning to use a compass). It’s so important that our kids learn about, understand and spend time in nature. With a healthy and curious relationship with the world around them, our children are more likely to feel responsible for its well-being.

Visit Discover the Forest and have some fun with your family!