Today was the last day of school before Thanksgiving vacation.
And Nina was already feeling thankful.
Her teacher hadn't given the class any homework!
At Kids Central Izzie was wearing an Indian headdress.
She made it in art class.
"I am thankful that Indians taught us how to eat corn.
I love corn."
She bounced around.
"Ooh! And I'm thankful for pretty flowers!"
Miss Shelly was carrying two large vases filled with flowers.
"Are those for our activity?"
Nina asked, hoping they were.
Miss Shelly nodded.
"The end of autumn means the end of fresh flowers.
We're going to press these flowers and let them dry.
In a few weeks, they'll be ready to use."
"How will we use them?" Nina asked.
"You can use them to make cards," Miss Shelly said.
"Today I brought some flowers that I pressed last month.
After we press flowers, we'll make thank you cards."
"Thanksgiving thank you cards?" Bobby asked.
"Yes," Miss Shelly answered.
"While we're working, think of someone you'd like to thank.
Right now, choose four flowers you'd like to press."
Nina leaned over the orange, yellow, and red flowers.
Everyone else quickly grabbed theirs.
But the flowers were all so pretty.
It was hard to choose.
"Nina, are you ready?"
Miss Shelly was waiting.
Nina closed her eyes and pulled out four flowers.
Then Miss Shelly started showing them how to press flowers.
"Take one piece of paper and fold it in half.
Open it back up, and arrange your flowers on the inside.
Make sure the flowers don't touch each other.
Then fold it shut again."
"Cute. It's like a little flower book," Nina said.
"Now take one of these giant dictionaries."
Miss Shelly held up a fat dictionary.
"The dictionary will press our flowers for us."
"Turn to the very last page of the dictionary.
We're going to put your little flower book in between the last page and the back cover.
In a few weeks, you'll have beautiful pressed flowers," Miss Shelly said.
Nina followed Miss Shelly's directions exactly.
Nina hoped her flowers would come out pretty.
"Did you decide who you'd like to thank?" Miss Shelly asked.
She opened a red tin box.
She lifted out stacks of cardboard.
Nina saw sheets of pressed flowers between the cardboard.
Miss Shelly gave them blank cards.
"Once you've written your card, brush glue on the front.
Then choose some pressed flowers to gently place on top.
In a few weeks, the flowers you pressed today will be dry.
Then you can make cards like these at home."
Nina looked at Miss Shelly.
"Who is your thank you card for?"
Miss Shelly paused.
"My mother," she said.
"What about you?"
Nina smiled shyly.
"It's a secret," she said.
"Time to go!
Nina, don't forget your card," Miss Shelly called.
"I made it for you," Nina told her teacher. "Bye!"
Miss Shelly opened the card.
It said: "Dear Miss Shelly,
Thank you for 238 days of fun at Kids Central.
Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Nina."
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