Spreading JOY

 I left off writing a few weeks ago, and have been so busy with homeschooling and Christmas activities it's been hard to squeeze in time to catch up.  But I am going to try!  Our last activity of November actually ties in nicely with Decembers'.  In remembering Gratitude we learned about what President Brigham Young said, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!"  So we used up some apples nobody was finishing for a craft...bird feeders!  This transitions nicely into December, where we have been learning about Joy and trying to spread it.  Feeding the birds brings some joy to both parties!

 For this activity you simply cover the apple with creamy peanut butter...

 Roll it around nicely in a plate of bird seed...

 Tie a piece of yarn on a nail and stick it in real good!

 Ta-daaa!

Or you can share some joy feeding them the old-fashioned way!

 If it's as cold where you live as it is here the birds will be very happy...

 ...and friendly!

 Christmas time is a season for Joy!

We've tried to some kind of service every day to share some joy, including feeding the birds, making and taking a sack-lunch to Dad at work, doing extra chores around the house (that was to help mom have some joy,) 

painting this poster and...

hanging it up in our front window for passerbyers to see, 

BAKING and taking cookies to friends' houses

and having extra good manners and tipping a waitress well when we went out for dinner.

  The best thing about teaching joy is seeing the kids realize that when you try to give someone joy you can't help but get some for yourself too.  EnJOY the season!  Love, Eva