A season of gratitude

SANDPOINT — Families, friends and loved ones gathered in celebration and thanks.

Conversation fills the air, reminesces of years past, sharing of special moments and jokes. After dinner, games and more laughter or cheers as a footbll game fills the TV screen, or as the crowd spills outside for games around the yard.

The specifics vary family to family, home to home, but the gratitude reflected on Thanksgiving carries from one town to another, blanketing the country.

For students at Sandpoint Waldorf, the list of what they are grateful for is as varied as the students themselves.

Pets, family and loved ones. Top of the list for most of the Sandpoint Waldort students.

“I am grateful for my family! And my friends and my cousins! And animals and kittens,” writes third-grader, Josie. “Yay!”

First-grader Deacon shared that gratefulness for family, saying he is thankful for his baby brother. Classmate Ava shared similar thankfulness, saying she is thankful for her stepsisters, her grandmother and her pets.

“I am grateful for Izzi because he’s very nice, never hurts anybody and sleeps with me every night,” noted second-grader Emilia.

Some, like Max, gave nod to the season and the early arrival of winter. “I am grateful for all the snow and that I get to ski this year,” writes the fifth-grader. “And for friends and family.”

A fan of soccer, fourth-grader Callahan applauded, among his family and home, a good soccer fiel and a soccer ball.

Others had a large list of things for which to be thankful, like eighth-grader Della. ““I’m grateful for my rad education, my quirky family, being able to travel to amazing places and my tiny orange kitten named Gambino. Also, every one of my friends for being super cool.”

Some, like second-grader Rowan, were wide-ranging in their list of things for which they are grateful, with a nod toward popular culture. In addition to noting he has a great life, the youngster expressed gratitude for the existence of Beyblades and Pokemon.

For some, like sixth-grader Berkeley, a simple list wasn’t enough and a more detailed list was in order.

“I am thankful for my superb family, my annoying dog, my smart teacher, my long house, my featherless chicken, my awesome class, my delicious food, my spicy toothpaste, my long books, my colorful pencils, my loud violin, and the world,” the Sandpoint Waldorf student wrote.

For some Thanksgiving is a chance to be thankful for a long-held dream coming true.

“I am grateful for my mom and dad because my dream since I was 7 was to have a horse and I saved up $240 and finally I was allowed to rent a horse for as long as I could afford it,” wrote fifth-grader Isadora.

So, without any further ado, the students of Sandpoint Waldorf School share what the many things for which they are thankful. We are happy to share them, once again, with you.

Huckleberry Kindergarten

Elsa — “I give thanks that the north wind brings us snow.”

Leah — “I give thanks for Santa bringing me a red dress.”

Cassidy — “I’m thankful that my daddy is good to me.”

Lyra — “I give thanks that I get to dance.”

Dyson — “I give thanks that my sister gives me presents.”

Rosie — “I’m thankful for this earth or we would not be alive.”

Autumn — “I give thanks that when I had my birthday, my grandma brought me a big bear.”

Elizabeth — “I give thanks for chocolate.”

Grade 1

Cadyn — “I am grateful for the earth.”

Deacon — “I am grateful for my baby brother.”

Bryson — “I am grateful for my family.”

Ellie — “I am grateful for my family and this school with wonderful teachers.”

Sage — “I am grateful for my family and cats and dogs.”

Madelina — “I am grateful for all my friends.”

Eden — “I am grateful for the earth and my school.”

Emery — “I am grateful for the school and my friend.”

Adria — “I am grateful for my dog and my cat and family.”

Phoebe — “I am grateful for my family, my friends, my school, and my teacher.”

Athena — “I am grateful for the school and my family.”

Fate — “I am grateful for the people on this earth.”

Ava — “I am grateful for my stepsisters, my grammy and my cats and my dogs.”

Emi — “I am grateful for the earth.”

Cora — “I am grateful for all the new people who come into life. Even orphans who I have never met before.”

Elaina — “I am grateful for God and this earth.”

Tiana — “I am grateful for my family and lots of friends.”

Lila — “I am grateful for God, the school with lots and lots of golden light.”

Grade 2

Zoe — “I am grateful for friends, the sun, earth, animals and family.”

Nathan — “I am grateful for earth, sun, food.”

Willow — “I am grateful for light, love and God.”

Everett — “I am grateful for earth and all the people.”

Brookelyn — “I am grateful for when the sun turns over the earth.”

Liam — “I am grateful for all the food on earth.”

Opal — “I am grateful for animals, friends and family.”

Alex — “I am grateful for the school, my friends and parents.”

Maryah — “I am grateful for friends, food and that I’m alive.”

Rowan — “I am grateful that Beyblades exist, Pokemon exists, God created us, I have a great life and food.”

Sage — “I am grateful for earth, nature, animals and that we exist.”

Cairn — “I am grateful for earth because if it weren’t for the earth, we wouldn’t be here.”

Hanna — “I am grateful for family, my cat, dog and friends.”

Jacob — “I am grateful for family and dog.”

Henry — “I am grateful for all the turkey we have.”

Sierra — “I am grateful for friends, family and my dogs.”

Mason — “I am grateful for lizards, animals, plants and food.”

Olivia — “I am grateful to have one sister and two brothers, my cat Oscar, Annie, to have my grandpa that fought in the war because he passed away and left a toy for me.”

Cody — “I am grateful for Mason, Jim Davis (‘Garfield’) and the headless horseman.”

Emilia — “I am grateful for Izzi because he’s very nice, never hurts anybody and sleeps with me every night.”

Grade 3

Oscar — “I am grateful for the world and family.”

Polina — “I am grateful for my family and friends, plants and animals and a warm house and food and water.”

Calem — “I am grateful for Friday because I go to my dad’s.”

Trace — “I am grateful for my family and my house and everything on earth.”

Larisa — “I am grateful for God creating the world.”

Kahlina — “I am grateful for going to my family to see them and to celebrate Thanksgiving.”

Josie — “I am grateful for my family! And my friends and my cousins! And animals and kittens! Yay!”

Jerusalem — “I am grateful for school and my family and our animals and my teacher and my friends.”

Avery — “I am grateful for my family and my friends and my warm house and warm bed and good food to eat and nice water and the wonderful world and everything in the whole world.”

Isabella — “I am grateful for my family and God who created the earth. Friends, plants, animals and a warm house, cousins, food, water, and for the wonderful world! And Thanksgiving and for a wonderful teacher.”

Owen ­— “I am grateful for my friends and family and a warm house and my mom that makes me dinner and breakfast and my dad that works all day to make money so my mom can buy us

food so we can eat.”

Grade 4

Brogan ­— “I am grateful for my school and all the things I have learned there and I am grateful for my duck, Malibu.”

Charlie ­— “I am thankful for the trees that give us pure air. I’m thankful for this amazing earth and family and friends.”

Vaughn — “I am grateful for my school, my parents and for my birthday that is happening tomorrow!”

Reese ­ —“I am grateful for everything.”

Hannah ­— “I am grateful for the food that I eat and my family and everything that they do for me.”

Justice ­— “I am thankful for my mom and dad and everything that they do.”

Hope — “I am grateful for my life, my parents, the roof over my head and the love in life.”

Ellie ­— “I am so thankful for my teacher vand my school and all the people in my life.”

Jasper — “I am grateful for friends and family.”

Hana — “I am grateful for my family, the food that I eat, the water that I drink and my house.”

Callahan — “I am thankful for a good house, a good soccer field, a soccer ball, a great town and a great mom and dad.”

Brady — “I am thankful for food and fall.”

Madison — “I am grateful for my family and that I am able to go to school. I am also grateful for my teacher and food.”

Camille — “I am very grateful for my family and friends and all the pets that I have.”

Clarity — “I am thankful for friends and family. I am also thankful for the animals and my teacher.”

Grade 5

Ivy — “I am thankful for animals. I am also grateful for my family and my friends and happiness.”

Max — “I am grateful for all the snow and that I get to ski this year. And for friends and family.”

Ethan — “I’m thankful for my dog, Frankie. I’m also thankful for my family.”

Aiden — “I am grateful for everything that I have like an awesome dog, a season pass for Schweitzer, a little brother whose birthday is on Nov. 11. His name is Owen.”

Isabelle — “I am thankful for my family, my friends, and the blessings in my life: a great house, a great school, and great pets (two dogs and one cat.)”

Paula — “I am thankful for my family and friends. I also am grateful for all the time I get to spend with animals and in nature.”

Miles — “I am grateful for all the snow that we get in Sandpoint and an amazing ski mountain nearby.”

Isadora — “I am grateful for my mom and dad because my dream since I was 7 was to have a horse and I saved up $240 and finally I was allowed to rent a horse for as long as I could afford it.”

Grade 6

Neva ­ “I am thankful for the snow, rain, trees, my family, my dogs, food, water, the sun, music and my friends.”

Briar — “I am thankful for life.”

Grace — “I am thankful for the earth and everything it provides for me and my family. I am thankful for the bees, the trees, and the best teacher ever, and I am thankful for love.”

Kaiya — “I am thankful for my great family and friends, my great pets, clean water, yummy food, and my great, great, great teacher.”

Berkeley — “I am thankful for my superb family, my annoying dog, my smart teacher, my long house, my featherless chicken, my awesome class, my delicious food, my spicy toothpaste, my long books, my colorful pencils, my loud violin, and the world!”

Terra — “I am thankful for all my animals, my friends and family, my teachers, and water and food.”

Ada — “I am thankful for clouds, SWS, ants and bees, forgiveness, mountains, my past experiences, pie!”

Josephina — “I am thankful for my family and friends, my class, my dog, my cats, my house, my room, piano, music, food and water.”

Ethan — “I am thankful for friends, family, my dog, Jango, my cat, Anikan, who passed Sept. 4, 2017, and my other cat who passed Aug. 10, 2014.”

Katya — “I am thankful for my family, friends and my dog. I am thankful for water to drink and food to eat. I am thankful for a house to live in and the trees that give us oxygen.”

Katelyn — “I am grateful for my family, animals, my school, food, water, warmth, shelter, and my bed.”

Mya — “I am thankful for parents, my dogs, my sister, our beautiful planet, schools, fresh water, healthy foods, friends, jobs and my teacher.”

Silas — “I am thankful for family and friends, Legos, dogs, skiing and warmth.”

Kasten — “I am thankful for my dog, my house, my family, my friends, shoes, books, football, soccer, school, my teacher, and my new sister, Jerusalem, from Ethiopia.”

Grade 7

Aiyana — “I am grateful for food, a roof to live under, warmth and wonderful family and friends to keep me company.”

Jarrah — “I am grateful for my family and friends.”

Meghan — “I am thankful for the beautiful town we live in and the great food and friends and family.”

Tivon — “I am grateful for family, friends, pets, a nice house, good food and a nice room.”

Priya — “I am so grateful for the beautiful place we live, my amazing friends and family and my super supportive teachers.”

Payton — “This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for family, friends, animals, plants and sports.”

Boston — “This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and friends. I am also thankful for my pets and sports.”

AJ — “I’m grateful for my family and friends, for good water and food to eat, living in clean air and our ski mountain.”

Grade 8

West — “I am thankful for my family and my house with food and water and all the things that help us survive. I am also thankful for my education.”

MacKenzie — “I am thankful for my family, food, my friends and my amazing life full of wonders.”

Mira — “I am thankful for my mom, my dad, my sister and my best friends. I am very thankful for nature, especially the trees because they make oxygen to breathe. And my education and fun life.”

Della ­ “I’m grateful for my rad education, my quirky family, being able vto travel to amazing places and my tiny orange kitten named Gambino. Also, every one of my friends for being super cool.”

Anonymous — “I am thankful for the French Revolution because it made our world what it is today. Also, I’m grateful for food.”

Anonymous — “I’m thankful for my cat, dogs, rain, storms, sleeping, lightning and thunder.”

Anonymous — “I am thankful for food, water and my family.”

Anonymous — “I am grateful for water, food, trees and clouds.”

Anonymous — “I’m thankful for the mountains and the lakes and the sun and the snow. I’m thankful for my family, friends and education.”

Anonymous — “I’m grateful for the privileges I have in life, for the beautiful seasons of this town, for the friends and people I’ve met and the memories they’ve left me.”