Toads for Thanksgiving

Ryan has a double ear infection. On meds...again. It hasn't slowed him down!

Yesterday, I spent much of the day preparing a Thanksgiving feast for when everyone got home from work/school/doctor, etc. I didn't feel well at all, but fixed turkey, dressing, smashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, relishes, and pumpkin pie, plus chips and dip. (Not all of that was from scratch, by the way!) Meg brought home corn meal muffins. I had prettied up the table, using good china and stemware and fall placemats that Meg made a few years ago...and little pumpkin-shaped napkin holders that Meg made when she was Robin's age...just to make the occasion festive. Even lit a candle! Whoop-de-doo! Meg had recorded "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" on the TiVo to occupy the children during the time between pick-up and her return. What were we thinking??? Were we expecting a Leave It to Beaver household??

First of all, the children came back from Grandma Judy's dirty. I carried Ryan to the car because his new shoes were covered in mud. Robin had mud on her pants. Ryan had written all over both hands with a black marker (washable, thank heavens). I tried to get them cleaned up a bit before Meg got home... They didn't want to watch Charlie Brown. They preferred to play (roughly) in Robin's room until I kicked them out of there...then the only thing they wanted to see on TV was Sponge Bob Squarepants. When Meg got home...before I even got the food up off the stove...they were in the kitchen, messing up the place settings, drinking their lemonade out of their little stemware glasses, and trying to blow out the candle (largely spitting all over the table in the process). Then we sat down to eat.

The kids didn't like the gravy or potatoes, didn't want any green beans, didn't touch the olives or pickles that Robin used to love, and picked at the turkey. Ryan ate a little dressing; Robin didn't want any. Robin, who was wiping her mouth with her hands, then her hands on her clothing, was admonished to use her napkin. With a grin on her face, she tried to use the placemat. Ryan started playing with his stemware glass until it was taken away from him. Robin wanted more lemonade but would only point and make baby noises, rather than ask in words. Ryan fidgeted with his napkin holder until he finally managed to break it. In short, they were toads! I think Meg was appalled, but she appreciated our feast. Everyone had pumpkin pie, then they were ingloriously packed up in the minivan to meet up with Kendra for a Thanksgiving in Muncie today. SIGH <---(relief!)

Both Meg and I hit the sack early. I'll be leaving for my sister's in Illinois today. Meg will have the house and the leftovers to herself for a couple of days. Hope she can stand the quiet!

What's up with the robins? Yet another flock in the neighborhood. I can hear some outside even now. Better hurry southward, little guys. Winter is on its way!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends. I am thankful for you!