Alexander Valley School third graders give thanks

The students in Colleen Flores’ third grade class at Alexander Valley School wrote about what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Below are their responses.
I am thankful for my family because they take care of everything, we play, and they are fun. I especially like making tomales together. My mom makes the best tomales. Most of my classmates have had them. The cheese tamales are my favorite, because they are so delicious. Sometimes there are things I can’t do with my family because they are too hard for me, but making tomales with my mom is always best time.
— MOISES LOPEZ
I am thankful for basketball because I have never played before this year, I just started and I love it! When I started my coach asked me to do a jumpstart but I did not know what it was so I asked and of course it took forever, lots of practice, and now I know what a jumpstart is. I learned it is where you jump and come to a complete stop. Our team name is the Tigers. There are 10 kids on my team. I’m thankful for all their cooperation, which makes us win basketball games. I love my whole team and their friendship. My best friend is Sofia! Her dad is the coach. He is the best coach because he doesn’t yell at us. He teaches us how to do moves, work hard and have fun.
— LEAH MAURITSON
I am thankful for my friends because they care about me.  I like playing with my friends, Baltazar, Moises, Diego, Cade and Max.  We play  tag, freeze tag and tic-tac-toe.  I also like talking with them about school.  At lunch we have lots of fun and at the end of the day we go to the spider web that is on the field and say nice things about each other.  When we finish, we say good-bye and go home. I can’t wait to see all my friends at school tomorrow.
— OSBALDO PATINO
I am thankful for the soldiers who fought for our country.  My great grandfather was one of those people.  I am thankful for him because he had to leave his family and live where the conditions are not good.  I appreciate that they donate their time so that I get to eat, dress and do what I want and I don’t get bossed around by the government or mayors.  Without soldiers we would not have our freedom like our country has today.
— BRICEYDA CRUZ
I am thankful for my family because they help me with my homework, like reading and math. Sometimes they help me make my bed. I like to be with my family because they’re funny and interesting, especially when they tell me stories about when they were little.  One time they made me laugh so hard that I got the hiccups!  When it is brisk, they hug me and then I am not cold. When it is scorching hot, they buy me a pool to play in and cool off. My family is the best family ever!
— NATALIE GONZALEZ
I am thankful for Earth because if we didn’t have Earth, nobody would be living, or if so, on another planet. Living on other planets is a problem because their atmosphere might be too hot or cold. If I didn’t live on Earth, I wouldn’t be able to play hockey and baseball, which I love. The gravity on Earth allows me to get lower to the ground and catch more speed in hockey. I am also thankful for the Earth because it provides me with food to grow and be healthy. Earth is a good place to live!
— DIEGO BOARDMAN
I am thankful for my teachers because they help me learn every day. In math I learn how an array can help me multiply and in Spanish we have fun learning by singing and coloring pictures. My teachers make me feel smarter every day at school, making my mind like an open  book. Also my teachers make me feel happy and comfortable in class, always encouraging me to do my work even when it is difficult. Because of my teacher I will grow smarter and someday teach children myself.
— AUDREY BLOSSER
I am thankful for spiders because if there weren’t any spiders, bugs would be everywhere. I even like the bad ones, because they eat bugs, not just our flesh. Spiders are also helpful for scaring my sister. When I scare her with my plastic spider, she screams and calls my mom for help. This is funny. Even though they creep me out, I still am thankful for spiders.
— MAX MCGOWAN
I am thankful for my mom because she always understands me. When I fall down and get hurt, she is always there to help me get up. She is the best cook ever.  I love her scrumptious pasta with sweet tomato sauce. After I eat it, I am stuffed. My mom is outstanding and I am grateful for everything she does.
— VIRJINIA ONATE
I am thankful for earthworms because they are good for our soil. Every time they excrete they put nutrients into our soil. We just got about 7,000 worms in our school garden. I am grateful because the nutrients they give the soil will help the fruits and vegetables grow so I can eat them and grow too. I don’t really like holding worms, when I pick them up, I feel like doing a front flip. I am grateful for valuable earthworms.
.— VICTORIA JIMENEZ
I am thankful for my mom, Lisa Dayton. She has been a great friend to me. I’m thankful for her because she makes me delicious lunches every day.  My favorite part of my lunch is the note that says “I love you.” When I read that I feel as warm as honey.
Every night before bed she says, “ love you, miss you, hug you, kiss you.” Then I go to bed full of love.
My mom helps me learn new words and when I have a bad day she helps me feel better by reminding me that tomorrow will be better. I am so thankful for Lisa Dayton.
— LUCIE DAYTON
I am thankful for Mrs. Flores because I would not know my multiplication, subtraction facts and, in a while, division. Also, her sense of humor. she is as funny as the funniest clown, so she can make me laugh. Most of all she is interesting and makes math fun, just like a theme park could. That is why I am thankful for Mrs. Flores.
— LAUREN CARDOZA
I am thankful for my family because they protect me from harm and never let me down. When I need help, they come and do what they can for me. My dad helps make money to live, eat, sleep, and be very, very  healthy.  My family encourages me to work hard in school.  They love me and I love them so so much. They will never let me down.
— HENNESSEY SAUNDERS
My mom is someone I am very thankful for because she is loving, caring and sweet.  I am thankful for her because she does very important things like pay for the house we live in. My mom makes the best strawberry smoothies.  When I have a bad day at school she snuggles with me, which makes me feel safe and protected. That’s why I am thankful for my mom.
— ELEKTRA HERNANDEZ
I am thankful for my Kindle Fire because it lets me play games. My favorite game is Angry Birds Transformers because the birds and pigs dance. I am thankful that my Kindle allows me to save games so I can keep going forward each time I play and most of them are free! My Kindle keeps me entertained when I am waiting for my sister to finish practice, or have nothing to do on a weekend. Sometimes it challenges my mind like when I attempt to complete missions. I think about them even when I am not playing. If I didn’t have my Kindle Fire I would have to do outside boring games.
— CADE LOPEZ
I am thankful for my friends because they are there for me when I need them. For example, one day when I was on the playground and fell and skinned my knee, they helped me get to the office.  My friends make me laugh and that helps me forget about being hurt. Often they make me laugh so hard that I can’t stop. When I do finally stop, I look at them and we laugh again. My good friends listen to me and ask me what I want to play. They don’t laugh when I get hurt. My friends don’t push. To me my friends are nice they don’t ever call me bad names.  I am grateful for my friends.
— JENNIFER MICHELE OSBORNE
I am thankful for my grandma because she is always with me when I need her, especially when my feelings get hurt.   My grandma and I make each other laugh.  I love it when we get in tickling wars. On my birthday she wakes me up by tickling me and I laugh so hard I feel delighted.  She helps me create projects like bunny ears and new games to play. She has a good imagination and teaches me how to draw and use my imagination. My grandma teaches me how to cook so when I grow up I won’t be lazy and will make my own food. My grandma is special to me.
— DANIELA CAMARGO