Happy Thanksgiving

 

Today I thought I would share some of my thoughts. This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with a Sunday Brunch the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I attended a family wedding on Saturday, and we figured we would celebrate as a family while I was there so I wouldn't have to make the drive again. I have to say it felt so good to realize that I had a week without any real demands or plans. I feel like I am able to relax this week and it is wonderful! I bought some premarinaded turkey tips to have with some mashed potatoes and stuffing. However, Hazel is eating at a friend's house so it may just be Steve and myself. 

I have been reflecting on how grateful I am for my blessings. I am very happy that Hazel seems very happy with her school and social life. I am happy we realized something was wrong with our little kitty, Fidget, and got him to the animal hospital in time for the threads to be removed without having damage. I am grateful for my job, my family and our pets. There are so many things to be grateful for in my life. As I was thinking about the holiday, I always wonder why we bring it back to the pilgrims and Native Americans of Plymouth. At the time there were other colonists on the East coast, so the pilgrims were not the first Europeans in these parts. 

Sarah Josepha Hale is the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving still. She was a devout Christian and thought the entire country should celebrate Thanksgiving as one. Some states had their own Thanksgiving days previously. Although she was from New England, I wonder if she truly meant Thanksgiving to be a day to remember the myth of the pilgrims and Wampanoag celebrating back in 1600s. I also wonder why we focus so much on Plymouth. At the time there were other colonies already in the United States. The Mayflower itself was off course for where it was to land in America. One of the big things the pilgrims did was establish the Mayflower Compact which carried over to setting up the government of the United States many years later. I truly believe the idea of Thanksgiving should not be about remembering the history that has been distorted over the years, but rather a time to reflect on what each of us is thankful for this year. It is a time to gather with family and friends and enjoy each other's company. It is a time to personally reflect on your own gratitude. Whether you are religious or not, it does not matter as each of us has something to be thankful for. 

So I hope today you will take time to reflect on your own life and consider giving thanks for all the blessings in it. With a day to myself, I know I will be doing just that.

I know that I am grateful for my family and friends, my job, our pets, our lives,... I am also thankful for my inner peace that I have found lately, and the friendships Hazel has. There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for and it is so important for us to remember them and give them thanks! Over the years I have shared many books, crafts, and fun facts related to Thanksgiving in case you are looking for something to do today. 

Keepunumuk -- New Picture Book Written by Native Americans Sharing the Story of the First Thanksgiving

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe November is almost over and harder for me to believe that I have not shared any resources for Native American Heritage Month. It is one of my favorite heritage months! Although I do share various Native American books throughout the year, I almost always have something new for November! Today I get to share with you a wonderful new picture book written by Native Americans or First Peoples that share a Native American story of the first Thanksgiving based on stories from the Wampanoag. The book is Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry and Alexis Bunten and illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Anne Bradstreet: Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel #womenshistorymonth

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today we are continuing our celebration of Women's History Month. Today I am featuring Anne Bradstreet. She was the first American poet to be published! As I was doing my research and looking for children's books about her, I discovered Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel: The Story of Anne Bradstreet, America's First Published Poet by Katie Munday Williams and illustrated by Tania Rex. Sadly, I could not find a copy at our local library, but I was able to get a digital copy to review, so I get to share it with you!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we are honoring the Indigenous People of Massachusetts with a Tribal Nations Puzzle

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this puzzle as a gift from the maker. All opinions are my own.

As I sit and think about Thanksgiving I remember the history we have been taught and much of the history I have learned. With my parents on Cape Cod I drive through Plymouth, Massachusetts every year on my way to and from Thanksgiving dinner. I think about the friendships that were made between the Wampanoag People and the Pilgrims and how the white colonists truly treated the Natives who helped them survive the first year. It saddens me that we are taught such a different story about what Thanksgiving means. To me this is a day to give thanks for the blessings we have and to gather with loved ones and be thankful for the time with them. This is especially true for my family this year since it may be one of the last ones that my father will be truly present as his Alzheimer's is getting much worse. 

Learn the Real History of the Pilgrims and their Journey with History Smashers Book--free printable lunchbox notes

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe it is November. That means it is our month to be thankful and grateful! But why is this the month of Thanksgiving? Do you know the real history? I have done so many posts about the Pilgrims, Wampanoags, Mayflower, and Thanksgiving. You would think I know it all, but guess what I didn't. Today I get to share with you another History Smashers book. This one is History Smashers: The Mayflower by Kate Messner and illustrated by Dylan Meconis.

Fun Facts about John Howland and Review of The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I am way behind in my sharing of books with you and wanted to share this great book before Thanksgiving. I'm a little late, but made it before. The book is suggested for 7 to 10 year-olds. While reading I began thinking about fun facts, so I am going to share fun facts about the pilgrim, John Howland and then review a book based on his story.

Who Was at the "First" Thanksgiving? Fun Facts about Captain Myles Standish

I hope you are enjoying our Fun Facts Series and especially our special part of Who Was at the "First" Thanksgiving. Today we are looking at Captain Myles Standish. See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Who Was at the First Thanksgiving? Fun Facts about Edward Winslow

Have you been following our Fun Facts series? We started last week looking at a special spin off of "Who was at the first Thanksgiving?" Be sure to check out our Fun Facts about William Bradford, Squanto, and John Billington and Family (coming soon). Today we are sharing our fun facts about Edward Winslow. 

Who Was at the First Thanksgiving? Fun Facts about Massasoit

Have you been enjoying our Fun Facts Series? This week we are taking a look at Who Was at the "First" Thanksgiving. Now in truth what we celebrate as the first Thanksgiving was not the first in America. The Native Americans held various thanksgiving festivals long before Europeans came to America and the first European Thanksgiving happened well before there were colonies. (Source) Well today we are looking at some Fun Facts about Massasoit. 

Who Was at the First Thanksgiving? Fun Facts about Squanto

Have you been following our Fun Facts series? We started last week looking at a special spin off of "Who was at the first Thanksgiving?" Be sure to check out our Fun Facts about William Bradford, Edward Winslow, and John Billington and Family (coming soon). Today we are sharing our fun facts about Squanto. 

Sharing Saturday 17-46 - Two Week Party

It is time again for Sharing Saturday! This is a link party to share all of your child-oriented crafts, crafts made for kids, activities and lessons as well as your parenting and/or teaching posts. With Thanksgiving and Black Friday next week, we are going to keep this party open for a week and a half and have extra features in two weeks!! Be sure to come back and share again as well. 

On Sunday night we also host Crafty Weekends for all your crafts (done by any age), patterns, and craft product reviews! It is the perfect place to share your creative side!! And for all of your cultural posts come share them at the monthly Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop.

Who Was at the First Thanksgiving? Interesting Facts about William Bradford, Second Governor of Plymouth Colony

Have you been following our Fun Facts Series? Over the weekend we shared some about the Mayflower and about the Pilgrims in general. Today I thought we would start to look at the Pilgrims individually a bit. I figured I would start with the one I am most interested in, William Bradford. I can trace my ancestry back to him, so I am always fascinated by his story.

1. William Bradford was born on March 19, 1590 in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England. He was orphaned at a young age. His father died when he was one and he lived with his grandfather at age 4 when his mother remarried. At age 7 both his mother and grandfather passed away. He lived with his uncles, Robert and Thomas Bradford. They lived on a sheep farm.



William Bradford's Birthplace: The Manor House Austerfield By Anne Hollingsworth Wharton [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons



2. At age 12 he joined the neighboring town, Scrooby, Separatists. He probably learned to read at a school three miles away from his home. One of his favorite books was Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, which told about the brave people that were tortured or killed because of their religious beliefs differing from Queen Mary’s.  In 1603 King James I became king and put out a law that Puritans could not meet by themselves.
3.  In the winter of 1607 he was thrown into jail with fellow Separatists when they boarded a ship for Holland. The ship’s captain had betrayed them. In August 1608 he finally joined the Separatists in Amsterdam, Holland. In Amsterdam William shared a house with the Brewsters and worked at a loom making silk.
4. In 1613 he married Dorothy May. They have one son, John, together whom they leave in Leiden when they set sail on the Mayflower. Dorothy goes overboard and dies.



Embarkation of the Pilgrims (pictured on the Speedwell) By Robert W. Weir 
(photograph courtesy Architect of the Capitol) (Architect of the Capitol) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons



5. William Bradford did much of the administrative planning for the Mayflower voyage.
6. While exploring Cape Cod (while the Mayflower was in Provincetown), William Bradford got caught in deer trap set by Native Americans. It was made by strong ropes that wrapped around his ankles and held him in a tree upside down. He was one of the ten men who sailed in a small boat along the coast and found Plymouth.  When they returned to the Mayflower he discovered his wife, Dorothy, had gone overboard in the shallow water and no one had been there to save her.
7. The first winter the common house was used as a hospital. The common house was the first house built. William stayed in the common house due to his hip hurting so much he could not stand up. He was there when the thatched roof caught fire. There were barrels of gunpowder all around the common house. The Pilgrims were able to move the gunpowder and muskets out of danger and get all the sick people out without any deaths. Most of what William owned was lost in the fire.
8. Squanto most likely lived in the same house as William Bradford when he moved into Plymouth. William Bradford wrote that Squanto was “a special instrument sent of God for their good.”
9. In 1621 he becomes governor of the Plymouth Colony when Governor John Carver dies. He refused to be paid for the job. He was reelected thirty times.



Statue of William Bradford near Plymouth Rock ToddC4176 at English Wikipedia 
[GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons



10. When the Fortune was first spotted in the sea, William gathered all the men and boys with their muskets in case it was not a friendly ship.
11. In 1623 he marries Alice Carpenter Southworth arrived with her 2 sons and married William Bradford. She mothered his son left in Leiden (came to Plymouth) and they had 2 sons and a daughter. Alice moved into William’s sparse house with her sons and her sister’s family. His house had only one rug and two silver spoons. He taught all of his children to read and write.
12. In 1648 William Bradford, Captain Miles Standish and three other men sold of a lot of land to pay off the loan they owed for the Mayflower and establishing Plymouth Colony.
13. He was a very fair governor. He made sure the people voted for their leaders and that each man got an equal share of land. He made sure no one starved when food was sparse. He also made sure the church did not rule the people. If Strangers (the non-Separatists) wanted to join the church they were welcomed but it was not forced.  
14. He leaves public office in 1656 and dies several months later in 1657.  He had shared the stories of Plymouth with his children and then wrote them down. He didn’t want people to forget how God had guided the little band of Pilgrims to the New World. 

Sources:

• Herring, Marianne. William Bradford. Philadelphia. (2000) Chelsea House Publishers.
• Honiss Kelso, Dorothy. Beyond the Pilgrim Story: William Bradford. http://www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org/william_bradford.htm
• Philbrick, Nathaniel. The Mayflower and the Pilgrims’ New World. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 2008. New York.

Fun Facts & Crafts about Pilgrims

Have you been following our Fun Facts series? Yesterday we looked at the Mayflower. Today we are looking at the Pilgrims in general, but we will be looking at some of them individually over the next couple weeks. I hope you will join us for all the fun!!

Fun Facts about the Mayflower with Mayflower Craft Round-Up

Have you been following our Fun Facts posts? I have been enjoying learning about the various topics like apples, turkeys, and more!! Today we are looking at the Mayflower. What do you know about the ship the Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic and came to Plymouth? See if I found something new for you to learn. Enjoy!

Religious Books for Different Ages

Disclosure: I was sent these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Today I am sharing some various religious books for different ages. Two are for kids and two are for adults. This is really just a mishmash of a round-up, so I hope there is something here for everyone. Our first book is a book of prayers from different religions and cultures. It is Talking to God: Prayers for Children from the World's Religions by Demi.

A Look at Massachusetts and Its History

Disclosure: I was sent these books free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This year and last year Hazel's social studies unit is on the history of Massachusetts. As a result I have been gathering all the books I can find with a connection to our home state. (The truth be told I'm gathering books about all the states so I can expand our knowledge on each of them, but more on that below.) We also spent time doing some of the historical things in our area and looking at some of our past adventures. So today I am going to share two books about famous Massachusetts residents and share some of our adventures. The first book is Imagine That! by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.

If You Were Me and Lived In Ancient Times -- Multicultural Monday Review

Disclosure: Carole P. Roman sent me these books for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Today I am going to share three of the books in Carole P. Roman's If You Were Me and Lived in ...Ancient Times Series. This series looks at ancient and historical cultures from all over the world and through many centuries. Today we are going to travel to Viking Europe, Renaissance Italy and Colonial America. We will start with If You Were Me and Lived in Viking Europe. It is illustrated by Mateya Arkova.

Native Americans of Cape Cod and Massachusetts

This summer while visiting my parents at Cape Cod, Steve, Hazel and I journeyed to the National Seashore Visitor's Center. It was the first time I took Hazel there and possibly Steve's first time as well. We watched the videos on how Cape Cod was formed and a bit of the history of Cape Cod. There is quite a bit of history. Then we went into the small exhibit room. In this room there was various exhibits about the people of the past on Cape Cod and of course included a Native American exhibit. I thought I took some pictures, but if I did they are lost. Part of the exhibit showed the structure of a wigwam and had other tools and parts of Native American life. But what struck me the most was the recordings of Native Americans and messages they have for all. One message was how it is important to know the history of the place you live. Knowing that history will enable you to understand the land and environment and preserve it as much as possible. I have been thinking about this ever since. It made me want to investigate the Native Americans of Cape Cod. After all so many things are named using Native American words like Nauset, Skaket, Namskaket, Mashpee, Cotuit, Hyannis, Sagamore and more. Even Massachusetts comes from Native Americans. In fact it is the tribe which lived in the Greater Boston area. (Source: The Wampanoags of Masspee) 

Wampanoag's Cranberry Day -- Native American Heritage Series & Giveaway

I have a confession to make. Until recently, I did not understand why the Native American mascots were so offensive. I went to a high school where our mascot was a warrior and being a child of the 80's the song, The Warrior, was very popular at our school. Our cross town rival's mascot was a chieftan. I saw these as a way to honor Native Americans and not to insult or hurt them. This fall I have read several articles on-line (Huffington Post and The Guardian) that made me understand why they are hurtful. For some people these are the only images they have of Native Americans. This had not occurred to me since I have always had a fascination with Native American lifestyles, stories and such. I also understand why many Native Americans consider Thanksgiving the National Day of Mourning (see Huffington Post for more on this). Although Native Americans have always held days to honor and be thankful for the harvest, it is hard to watch the country celebrate and reenact a day that lead to so many of their own people's death and the loss of their land. I have written about the Wampanoag, a bit on Squanto and this year we explored Metacomet (King Philip) and I wrote even more about Squanto over at All Done Monkey. To honor the Wampanoag and to learn more about them as part of our Thanksgiving I thought we would explore one of their harvest holidays. I should also refer you to our post on cranberries since the holiday is Cranberry Day.  Our first discovery of this holiday was the book Cranberry Day by Jannette Vanderhoop. 

Metacomet (aka. King Philip) -- Native American Heritage Month Blog Series and Giveaway

For one of my posts in this year's Native American Heritage Month Blog Series and Giveaway, I thought it was about time I learned more about Metacomet. After all I went to a middle school named in his honor with his English name--King Philip. I knew King Philip was an Native American who had fought a big war, but that was about all I knew. I'm a little sad I didn't learn more about him while at a school named in his honor. Anyway we of course turned to the library.