Thanksgiving is just around the corner! And with it a lot of fun turkey activities...

Counting Coconuts made a super cute button turkey. This is sure to keep a young kidlet busy for a while, if you're into a little bit of handsewing.

No Time for Flashcards shows you how to create a turkey counting activity. Use felt instead of construction paper, and you will have a reusable activity.

Together Time 4 Families lists several ideas for making the most of turkey feathers with a construction paper craft. She used the feather to teach spelling and the days of the week.

This handprint turkey from Kaboose.com is seriously too cool looking not to attempt. I love the fall colored squares around the rim.

Two Teaching Mommies offer an expanded turkey preschool printable pack, if you're into those fun themed activity sets.

And for tying in some good number recognition, try Enchanted Learning's turkey bingo.

When you're tired of all these activities and you're just ready for snack time {followed by mandatory naptime for all}... make a few of these cute apple turkeys.

With the exception of one or two groups, I believe all five swap groups have all activities accounted for. There may still be a chance that a few more fill ins are needed should someone drop out later in the game.

Everyone (other than the most recently contacted fill ins) should have a pretty good start on their activities. I look forward to seeing them come in.

By this time, swappers should have received an email from their coordinator with instructions for paying the shipping deposit and participation fee. Each group's deadline is either today or in the next day or two.

If the shipping deposit is not paid before the deadline, the swapper will be replaced by a patiently waiting fill in.

Have you heard of Starfall.com? Starfall offers online phonics games and activities for young children.

Their program is broken down into four levels. The alphabet level focuses on each letter and its sound. You can also learn the ASL (American Sign Language) sign for each letter.

The Learn to Read level reinforces short vowel words, long vowel words, and words containing r-controlled vowels.  My daughter enjoys reading each story and then playing the games that go along with it.

You will find various riddles, tongue twisters, and fill in the blank stories in the It's Fun to Read! level.

The I'm Reading! level introduces children to the various types of reading material available, such as plays, comics, fables, fiction and non-fiction.

They also offer a few seasonal and holiday activities, as well.

I like that Starfall gives all three of my older kidlets (3, 4, and 6) the opportunity to learn at their level. And the best part about it... the kids think it's oads of fun!

The Preschool Busy Bag Swap is well on its way. Everyone who filled out the swap sign up form should have received an email.

Swappers have been contacted by coordinators with instructions on paying the shipping deposit. Once the deposit has been paid, swappers will receive their assignments.

Fill ins have also been contacted, letting them know of their position as an alternate. They will be contacted should a spot open up.

If you filled out the swap sign up form and have not received an email, check your junkmail or spam folders for an email from me (Brenda), Bridgette, or Tracye. Some mail servers may filter the emails and mark it as spam, since it was a bulk email. If you do not find an email there, contact me (link in the upper right hand corner, under the header quote).

To all you swappers out there: Have fun, put in effort, keep in contact, and be on time! Happy swapping!