Birthday Surprise!

We had our “Walker Family Christmas” yesterday, and when my daughter-in-law Shannon walked in with this cute owl tin, little did I know that a surprise birthday party was inside!  A few weeks ago, Shannon secretly emailed as many of my blogging friends as she could and invited them to join in a card shower for my birthday today, and W-O-W, was I ever showered!  I stayed up until all hours last night reading and shedding some tears over the beautiful cards and sweet messages from all over the world.  I can’t thank Shannon enough for this incredibly thoughtful gesture, and I can’t thank YOU enough for being my wonderful friends and encouragers.  As this card that Shannon made for me says, “One kind word can warm three winter months.”  New Year blessings to all of you, with love from Pillows A-La-Mode. ♥

Mrs. Hetherington’s Thanksgiving Pageant

Welcome to the “THANKFUL” edition of Collectively Creative! Today I have a giveaway for all of our blogging friends . . . one of my children’s stories from Pockets magazine for you to read, share, and/or use to introduce a creative writing activity about holidays.  Simply click the first link for a printable word document or the second link for a printable pdf.

Mrs. Hetherington’s Thanksgiving Pageant (word document)

Mrs. Hetherington’s Thanksgiving Pageant (pdf)

I hope some special kids in your life will enjoy meeting Mrs. Hetherington and her Portland Elementary School Drama Club this holiday season! But first, please pour a cup of tea and take a few minutes to savor the rest of this month’s Collectively Creative posts. Each one has something special to enrich our lives. Happy Thanksgiving! ♥

P.S. If you’re a parent, grandparent, children’s book reviewer, librarian, or teacher, please check out the new kids’ Thanksgiving book called Sarah Gives Thanks by one of our fellow WordPressers, Mike Allegra at heylookawriterfellow. I bought a copy, and it’s a keeper!

COLLECTIVELY CREATIVE:

• Our Family’s Thankful Journal (Cobwebs, Cupcakes & Crayons)
• Creating a Thankfulness Photo Album (Organizing Living Essentials)
• T.H.A.N.K.F.U.L. for my Kiddos! (Neaten Your Nest)
• DIY ‘Thankful’ Dry-Erase Board (Inspire & Indulge)
• What I’m Thankful for: Grandparents and Cinnamon Rolls (The Thing About Joan)
• Healthy Chicken Sausage and Apple Stuffing (My Healthy ‘Ohana)
• Roasted Squash And Garlic Apple Potage (Cul De Sac)
• Vegan Creamed Corn Cornbread (The Pancake Princess)
• Holiday Entertaining: Gifts For Your Guests (Green Door Hospitality)
• Thanksgiving Requests (Ponytail Kind of Day)
• Rustic DIY Thank You Cards (NorthStory)