What Three and Four Year-Olds Are Thankful for

Mommy and Daddy because they give me hugs and kisses when they leave and when I go to bed and when I get hurt and when I'm sad and just because they love me. Playing because I like all the toys and my friends and my sister. My home because I see my Mommy and Daddy and Sister and Brynn, my dog, and I feel happiest there. Trees because things grow, like apples and oranges and the flowers in my dream and birds in their nest. Mommy cooking dinner so the food is ready when it's ready. School because I like playing with my friend Parker and the other kids- building blocks and making trains. Giraffes because they can eat tall trees and if I was a giraffe I could eat the apples right off the top of the tree and that would be great. Ethan L., age 3

My friends at school because I love to play with them. Mom because she takes care of me and she picks me up and she takes me to the doctor when I'm sick. Dr. Harter because she checks my bones and ears and throat and gives me bad medicine that I spit out but it makes me feel better. My Daddy because he takes care of me and he's going to put me at college. The snow because it's pretty but you have to be careful so the car doesn't slip on the pile in the road. Snacks, because we share at school and they taste yummy. Growing Places because I love my friends and the fish in the pond and my wall because I think it's beautiful.- Macy Q., age 3

My Mom and Dad because they love me and take care of me and give me dinner and brownies. My big brother because he loves to play with me and I love to play with him. My sister because she goes to school and she's really smart. Growing Places because it's my favorite place and I love to play there and eat snack and go in the garden and read stories and I have my own wall for my pictures. My dogs and cats because they are my friends when I don't have anyone else to play with. Sunshine because it's so warm and it's good for people because they are happier when the sun shines. Turkeys because I like to watch them in the woods; they look funny running around and they gobble. Drinks because when I'm thirsty that's just what I need.- Dawsyn M., age 3

I'm thankful for Mommy because she gives me food and strawberry milk and she takes care of me and my baby brother. My baby brother because I feed him and take care of him and he's going to play with me when he gets big. Apples because we can make applesauce. Purple because it's my favorite color. Flowers because they are pretty and they smell good and butterflies like them. Goats because they are so cute. Renee T., age 3

Big stars because they look pretty in the sky. Mommy because she feeds me and takes care of me and plays with me and takes me to school and I love her. Daddy because he takes me to work and where ever he goes I go with him so he doesn't have to go all by himself. Sissy because she's my best sister. Libby because she's my special dog. Gramma's house because that's where she takes care of me. Parker F., age 3

My Mom because she “milks” me. My Dad because he takes care of me and my baby Nettle. Baby Nettle because I like to make her stop crying. My home because Mom is there. My fire place because it keeps me warm. My window because I can see the chickens and it keeps me cool in the summer when it's hot. The chickens because they are friendly. Chocolate cake and chicken nuggets with ketchup because they are sweet. My friends at school because we play with all kinds of toys together. The garden at my school because it has lots of flowers and plants and a rainbow house and a giant caterpillar for hiding in and climbing on and jumping off. Nolan D., age 3

My mom because she gives me cereal and she takes care of me when I’m sick sometimes. My dad because I love to wrestle with him on his bed and play basketball with him. Lindsay because she's my big sister and she jumps on the trampoline and she goes for lots of walks with me. Britney because she takes me to Mike's pool when it's really hot. Buddy Bear because he keeps me company at night. My room because it has a bunch of toys flashlights and my bed. Spiderman because he saves people. My lawn mower because I like to help Dad and sometimes I mow Miss Ruth's grass.- Aaron M., age 3

My Dad because we play and paint the house and wrestle and I hug him. My mom because she's my mom, and she helps Daddy make dinner when I'm hungry. My brother because he plays with me and teaches me things he learns in school. Chinese food because I love it so much. Halloween because I love to eat candy. My school because I like to play soccer and run the fastest and make the huge giant puzzle with my friends. My birthday because Mommy and Daddy give me a cake.- Quinn D., age 3.

Daddy because I love him. Mommy because she takes special care of me. My boys [brothers] because they keep me safe and play with me. Pappy and Gramiere because I love to go to their house. My cat, but she just died. Carrots because I eat them and they're my favorite. Pink and Purple because they are so beautiful, and Mommy is going to paint my wall pink. My room because I like to sleep in my bed and play with my babies and that's where they live. My blankies and my big stroller because I feel warm and cozy. Tops because I want to get food for my dinner tonight. - Lily B., age 3

Sunshine because it gives us sun so we can have morning time and fun playing outside and working to carry firewood so we can have camp fires and toast marshmallows. My body because it works really well for flipping and running around in circles. Mommy because she takes care of me when I’m sick and she loves me more than anybody in the whole wide world. My dance teacher because she is teaching me how to dance. Josh because he's my step dad and I love him so much. My brother and sister and Auri because we all live together. Growing Places because it's a nice peaceful place to be.

Lilyanna C., age 4

My fingers because I can wiggle them, and scratch my back, and pick things up, and suck on them. Mommy because she gives me hugs and kisses and stuff. My sister because she's my friend and I love her. School because I love my friends. Sleeping in my nice warm bed. Butterflies because I can catch them high in the sky and they are beautiful. My garden because it gives me food. Bees because they buzz and make honey, and I love honey because it's sweet. -Kodah C., age 2

Mommy and Daddy and Griffin because they are my family. Growing Places because I play with my kids and we go in the garden and play play play....Horses because I see them when I’m in the car. My house because it has my toys, and I eat dinner there, and go to sleep there. Birds because they eat worms, and got wings, and make pretty sounds. My pool because I can go swimming when it's hot.

Connor M., age 3

Mommy because she takes care of me when I am sick, and takes me to the doctors. She loves me more than anyone and she's like magic. The park because I love to go play there. My friends because we love to play together, and share things, and laugh, and run around. Goats and pigs because I like the way they sound. Firetrucks because they put out fires. Lollypops because they taste good. Cash registers because they help people buy food. The pond at school because it has fishies, and they play hide and go seek in the lilies. Evan B., age 3

Fall 2011

Fall

The leaves fall off the trees and you have to rake. You throw the leaves on the road where the cars go by and the leave sucker comes by. The leave sucker is a special vacuum cleaner for the leaves. If you use the other vacuum cleaner the leaves will get stuck. Aaron, age 3

In the fall I don't see my Mommy so much because she has to go to school all the time and my dad goes to work. My sister and me stay with Auntie Gramma. Sometimes I call her Mommy by mistake, but I don't like that because I already have a Mommy and I only need one mommy and one Daddy and one sister Abbie. Ethan, age 3

It rains lots of times. The leaves can get wet and fall off the trees. The dirt can get wet and turn to mud. If you walk in it your shoes can get muddy. Turtles like mud to stay warm when it's too cold. Frogs do too- I even saw the picture in the book. They go in the mud at the bottom of the pond. When people get muddy they gotta take a nice warm bath. The turtle takes a bath in the pond! Parker, age 3

Where does Applesauce come from?

We went to the apple farm. It's called a orchard because it has lots of apple trees. We had to use something special so we could reach the apples high in the tree. We put the apples in buckets. Lots of apples fell on the ground. They are bruised. The deer will eat them in the winter. Sawyer, age 4

We made applesauce. First you have to wash the apples so you can get them clean. You wash them with a cloth in a big pan of water. Sometimes the water goes all over the floor and then you slip so you need a big towel to stand on. Lily, age 3

You cut the apples into little pieces because if you don't cut them it will take a very very long time to cook them. Some were red and some were yellow and red, and some were green, and some were little and some were huge. Stars and seeds are what you find when you cut them open. Nolan, age 3

We put the little pieces in the pot. You have to add a little bit of water because it helps the apples cook. You put the pot on the stove to cook the apples.- Lilyanna, age 4

We cook the apples on the stove. The apples just get smooshty and very hot and the apple mush is full of seeds and skin and bubbly juice too. It's very very hot so only the teacher can touch the pot and stir the apples. Lily, age 3

Then you put the hot mushy apples in the cranker. It's called a Foley food mill. When you turn the crank the apple sauce goes in the holes into the other pot and the seeds and skin stay in the top. Then it is really apple sauce! But it's still too hot to eat and it's already time to go home! Lilyanna, age 4

Halloween

We carved pumpkins at Growing Places. Mommy made two pumpkins. My dad sat in the corner and made a bat and everything else on his pumpkin. I helped mommy cut the pumpkin. We had to get the seeds out. They were cold and messy. We put the pumpkins in the garden. Then we had pizza with lots of other kids and moms and dads. My pumpkin was a witch. It was a funny witch, not scary. And I went trick or treating too. I went to peoples house. They thought I was a walking stick and gave me lots of candy. Dawsyn, age 3

I helped Mommy and Daddy with scooping out the sticky in my big huge pumpkin and tried to get the pumpkin really clean inside. Teacher never ever saw a clean pumpkin like that! My hands were on the pumpkin face and the face was surprised. They I listened to scary stories. I was going on the float but it broke. Mommy said it sank! Macy, age 3

For Halloween I was captain America and my brother was Superman. I was going to ride on the float with the other kids and all the pumpkins but Daddy didn't come because the tractor battery didn't work. I ran really fast to the parade, and went trick or treating and I ate lots of candy at home! Quinn, age 3

It was Halloween. You say trick or treat so you can get candy. You have to wear costumes for Halloween and real clothes aren't costumes. Some costumes are beautiful, like lady bugs and butterflies and princesses. Some are scary. Monsters, wolves, witches and ghosts are scary. Pumpkins and clowns are silly. Mama takes me trick or treating. When someone gives you candy you say thank you and take it home and share it. Lily, age 3

Fire Safety Week

You spray a hose to put the fire out. But first you have to get out of the house because there's fire and you don't want to get burned. Fire is hot and dangerous and crackly and smoky and you can't breathe very well because too much smoke makes you cough. That's why you got to get out of the house. Ethan, age 3

If you find matches you need to give them to a grown-up because they are not for children. They would get burned. Matches are to start fires and fires are hot so don't touch fire or you can get burned.

Macy, age 3

Fire trucks are red. Fire is red and hot. Very very hot. A fire man and the fireman's puppy go get the people out of the fire. Quinn, age 3

Fire fighters drive fire engines to the fire. They spray the fire with water because they're scared the fire will burn them and it will. But they're brave aren't they because they help people even if they are scared. Fire fighters are like super heroes. Dawsyn, age 3

Firefighters wear scary coats and helmets because the fire is going to burn them and their special clothes keep them safe. They hose the fire and turn it off. Never hide if there is a fire. Get out!

Parker, age 3

Everybody screams when there is a big fire in the house because it's so scary. You have to jump out the window or stay on the roof so your mom can come get you, and then you run away as fast as you can. Concrete doesn't burn so you should go on the sidewalk or find your mom and dad and sister by the tree or at Miss Ruth's house. Aaron, age 3

Fire is hot. I can't touch it because I will get burned. I see fire in my fire stove and don't want to get burned so I got to stay back. My mom puts wood in the stove to keep me warm. When we go camping in my tent my dad makes a fire to sit around it. Ben, age 2

My Daddy puts wood in the fire so I can make marshmallows. You blow on them because they're really really hot. A stove is hot and kids can't use the stove because you can burn yourself. I burned myself on my mom's stove and cried and I got to get ice on it and a band aid on it. Lily, age 3

Fire fighters have to wear a suit so the fire doesn't burn them. They wear a hat so they don't get bonked on the head with burning stuff. Fire trucks are red so everyone can see it and get out of the way. It makes a loud noise to get people out of the way. I have to cover my ears because it is so loud it hurts my ears. Evan, age 3

You put logs in the fire and it becomes big. Me and my dad do it together because it's hard work and it's dangerous for little boys. Nolan, age 3

All About Things That Grow and Live in Gardens

We planted onions yesterday. We bought carrot seed. Carrot seeds are brownish green and so teeny you can't even pick them up. They need water and fresh air, light sun and a garden bed. The orange carrot grows in the dirt and the stem grows up toward the sky.- Ben, age 3

I see fishies in the pond. There is only one small black fish and a bigger orange one. We had a bunch of little orange fish but I think the big one ate them. We have to stay off the rocks by the pond because sometimes they fall in the water and kill the fish. The fish eat the bugs and spiders that go in the water. The fish hide sometimes under the big leaves in the pond because they are scared or maybe the sunshine is too bright. -Patrik, age 3

Ants live in the garden. They make a little mountain of the dirt that they were digging out of their hole. There are lots of tunnels and rooms under the whole garden. Ants like crumbs and sugar. Red and yellow ants bite. The big ants are queen ants and the little ones are called workers because they do all the work.- Ian, age 4

I like swings in the garden because I can swing very high all by myself. Then I feel like a bird because I go so high in the sky. Birds live in the trees and in the nest. They look for worms in the grass. They eat cherries and raspberries and blueberries. I don't eat worms but I do eat cherries and raspberries and blueberries. They taste good but worms don't. I never ate a worm but I know they don't taste good! Worms are only for birds to eat.- Courtney, age 3

I like to look at the birds when they are hopping on the ground. When they fly they go too high to see if they go up in the clouds. Then, when they go in the tree, the leaves hide them.- Reese, age 3

Flowers grow when it's summer and the sun is out. We have to water the flowers if it doesn't rain. You have to cut the grass when it gets too long. Then you have to weed whack it. Sometimes the birds make a nest with it.- Emma, age 3

Butterflies come in spring. Caterpillars turn into butterflies. I've seen black and orange butterflies. They are bigger, and the red and purple butterflies that live at the zoo are smaller. Sometimes they are blue or pink or green or any color. Butterflies drink nectar from flowers with their very long tongue called a proboscis.- Faith, age 3

Once there was a bird (we thought it was a chipping sparrow) out by the sunflower field next to one of the pine trees and it was hurt. It started out hopping like a frog because it was trying to fly but couldn't because its wing was broken. I think it got broken by a cat that was really really really close to it. After we went to plant the sunflowers, when we came back home it was dead because our kitten, Magenta killed it. Cats don't always eat birds because they are hungry. They just like to play with them and torture them. Ian, age 4

Flowers in the garden look very beautiful in the spring and summer. They grow in the dirt and they have to share the dirt with the worms. There are ladybugs in the garden. They're little red beetles with black spots on their wing. Ladybugs like to eat bugs that eat the flowers so they're good for the garden.-Kaitlyn, age 4

We dig in the garden with a shovel. We rake the garden to get the weeds out. You find worms in the dirt. Worms look like snakes because they're long. Some are black and pinkish. Caterpillars are long and skinny too. They eat leaves and flowers too. And then they turn into a butterfly.- Parker, age 3

Me and Mommy cut the sticks and weeds out of the garden so we could plant flowers. We're going to wait till summer to plant them because it's hot and sunny, and it still gets too cold now.-Zachary, age 4

In the spring squirrels like to run up tree and have a bushy tail and like to eat nuts. They like to bury the nuts in the garden so they can find food when it snows. If the squirrel doesn't find the nut, then it grows into a tree that has lots of nuts. - Zaiden, age 3

You till the garden with a tractor and then you plant it. You have to have something attached to the tractor that makes lines so you know where to put the seeds. You have to put signs so you know what seeds are growing. We're going to plant melons and carrots and snow peas and beans. I think we're going to plant pumpkins. Sometimes you buy seeds in a package and sometimes you get them from dead flowers and inside apples and pears and pomegranates.- Gio, age 4

At Growing Places there are spiders. They eat the mosquitoes that bite and make you itchy and spiders are good because they eat them. You see butterflies and bees and lots of flowers. We have strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries but they grow in the spring and summer. I picked some blueberries at my house but I gave them to my Grandma for a pie. We grew little pumpkins and tomatoes too. -Savanna, age 3

We made Stone Soup. There was a stone in it but I didn't eat it because it would break my teeth. There was my potato and carrots and celery and other stuff in it. We have a garden at Growing Places. I like to look at the pumpkins. We grew little pumpkins. We have a turtle and a rabbit under the tree but they're just pretend. But we have a pond and there is a real orange fish and a green frog. They are not pretend.- Ellie, age 3

Flowers grow in the garden. Mommy took stuff out of the garden and put it in the wheel barrow so I can put it in the leaf pile. New things can grow from the ground when it gets warm again.- Baylee, age 3

I love the garden. I wish you can grow some tomatoes and pumpkins and pickles in the winter. They grow in the summer when the sun is hot and it's not hot in the winter. Now we have to wait for the vegetables in the garden to grow when it's warm again.- Ian, age 3

The garden grows nothing now. All the leaves are raked up because they fell off the trees and they are gone. You can see the birds and the squirrel's nest. The flowers died. There are lots of seeds to grow when it's warm again and for the birds to eat. Ivan, age 3

I helped plant a garden at home- sunflowers. But they died because bumble bees were drinking them one day. A bumble bee (not the fat kind) was crawling on my finger but it didn't sting me. Sunflowers need water to grow. Sunflowers are big and they grow as high as my waste but when they get too high and they fall over Weeds grow in the sea too..- Ben, age 4

I like the flowers in the garden. There are lots of bugs and spiders in the garden. I didn't used to be afraid of them but then a big black ant bit me on the neck. But if I kill the bugs the birds won't have enough food and then who will eat the grass? I know! The animal that has two long ears and a fluffy tail and hops everywhere and eats carrots- a rabbit! When I stand on the caterpillar I can reach the tree but don't pull the leaves off because they can come off all by themselves in the fall. Ivan, age 4

When there's a windy storm we go inside the caterpillar very fast so we will be alive. The wind blows the sun away and the fluffy clouds fill the sky. It looks like smoke and we pretend it's a fire and spray the fire out so it's all gone. And the sun comes back- Ian, age 4

There are big pink flowers on the lily pads. Frogs like to sit on lily pads sometimes. Miss Ruth put orange fish in the pond but they disappeared. They're hiding I think, under the lily pads. Or maybe a bird ate them. Because they have been hiding for a long time!- Ellie, age 3

There's a bird's nest up on the house in the window. There are birds in the nest. Miss Ruth calls them robins and they take food to the little baby robins. The baby robins go cheep cheep cheep when they are hungry. The Mama and Daddy birds sit on the babies to keep them warm. Then they eat the worms and spit them in the baby's mouth. YUCK!- Baylee, age 3

Owls fly in the garden when it's night time. They like to eat baby rabbits and frogs and mice. When it got cold in the garden the mice came in a hole in the wall so they could stay warm and dry and the owl couldn't eat them any more because their mom wanted to see them happy. We catch them in a special box and Mommy got them and taked them to a field far away so it wouldn't come back and eat the peanuts again. They opened the blue cover with their teeth because they like peanuts so much. Then I didn't have any peanuts for snack and I had to eat apricots and raisins instead. Lilyanna, age 4

I found the sunniest spot in the garden for the sun flowers because sun flowers means they need lots of sun. First we planted the seeds under the light and they grew taller than my finger. The seeds got stuck on the leaves but then they fell off. Then we planted them outside in the sunshine and they are going to grow so tall that the birds have to fly up to eat the sunflower seeds because birds love the seeds- not the leaves though. The bugs like to eat the leaves. The flowers will be big and yellow like the sun and that's why they are sunflowers!- Auri, age 3