1. Happy Veterans Day

Teaching Kids About Veterans Day

Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor and give thanks to those who have served or are serving in the military. Sandwiched between the excitement of Halloween and Thanksgiving, this day can sometimes go unnoticed by kids, but I am trying to help my kids understand its significance. There are some very simple and age-appropriate ways we can teach young kids to show respect and appreciation to veterans. Here are some ideas.

Talk with Kids About Veterans

Help kids understand who veterans are. Adults often describe veterans as soldiers, people who wear uniforms, and live on military bases. Of course, these things are true, but they can be very abstract for kids who are not familiar with military families. It is likely that kids encounter many veterans on a regular basis, they just might not realize it.

Say Thank You

Be a model for your children. When you see a veteran, simply say, “Thank you.” Our kids learn from us. Talk with them about why you say thank you to the soldier at the grocery store and the soldier you pass in the airport. It is such a simple act of gratitude, but it means a lot.

Make a Card or Baked Goods for a Veteran

Kids can also make cards to say thank you to veterans they know. Even beginner writers can make a simple card with sticky foam letters or by simply coloring a background that an adult can write on. If you live close to a veteran, you could even help your child make some cookies or another treat to deliver.

Attend a Ceremony or Parade

Many cities or schools host Veterans Day ceremonies or parades.Check your local community calendars to find out which is best to take your kids.

2. Realtor Conference and Expo

Next week +Robert Petit Jr will be attending the +National Association of Realtors annual real estate conference in New Orleans. Making the trip with me is my good friend +Bill Fooks of +Fooks Team Real Estate. The educational classes and broker panels allow agents from all over the country to share their marketing tips, technology tools and day to day activities. These are the top agents in the country sharing their ideas that work! Implementing these tips over the course of the year will add tremendous value to our team.

3. New Listings

777 Chaffin Rd, Woodleaf, NC 27054

$499,500

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70 Spencer St, Mooresville, NC 28115

$69,900

Fresh and clean home available immediately! Property features new carpets throughout. New roof was put on in September 2014. Home sits on a corner lot with excellent location across the street from Magla Park. Call today!!

4. Thanksgiving Desert Recipe

Pumpkin Roll Recipe

How to make a Pumpkin Roll

Lightly spray a 10 X 15 jelly roll pan with cooking spray. Line the jelly roll pan with parchment paper. The cooking spray helps adhere the paper to the pan. Give the top of the paper a coat of cooking spray.

Pumpkin Roll Recipe (for cake )

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

(for filling)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/4 butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered sugar for decoration

Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Mix in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread batter evenly into prepared jelly roll pan.Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar. A towel with little texture works best. Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel so the cake will not stick when rolling up the cake.Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Don’t over bake. Immediately loosen and flip cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper.Refrigerate cake until cool, about an hour. While cake is cooling prepare the filling.To make filling beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla until smooth.Gently unroll the cake.Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!