handsful

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Pumpkin hats were made on Wednesday by the girls…mini fudge stripe cookies, mini marshmallows, melted chocolate, yellow icing. 

Final product…

Tiny bites of goodness…and, what do you do with leftover marshmallows and chocolate?

Our Christmas cactus - who thinks he’s a Thanksgiving cactus, and blooms this time of year like clockwork. 

I cooked most of the morning on Thursday, while watching the Macy’s parade and dog show.  It was “only” the 7 of us, but we had to go all out so it feels like Thanksgiving.  We had a turkey, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, cranberry sauce, and corn bread.  I own a wheat grinder, and make my own flour, but I’d never tried corn before.  It worked really well! 

The kids look less than impressed in this shot, but I promise they were!  Maybe they were just hungry. 

The girls shared the wishbone with Lainey…she won, but seemed quite confused by the whole process. 

Being the mean parents we are, we made them pose in front of the annual Thankful Tree.  Lainey even added some leaves this year (with help from her sibs).  She was thankful for Jack, coats, food, Tiger, mommy and daddy, feet, her siblings, and her babydoll. 

Okay, now it’s downright abuse.  We made them pose AT the table before feeding them.  Cruel. 

After L’s nap and a walk around the neighborhood, Abbey, Marley, and Payton put on a play they’d been working on for days.  “A Pilgrim Play”, directed by Abbey Clark.  (EJ opted out of this production)  The pilgrims and indians were played by various Webkinz animals.  Costumes were designed and produced by Abbey and Marley.  The play was narrated by yours truly. 

A success!  The actors take a bow! 

Two stars of the show :)

After the play, EJ played a little piano.  He’s doing so well, and just tonight told me how much he’s loving it – especially now that he is playing songs. 

Lastly, I attempted to make my very first chocolate pie this year.  My grandmom in NC makes THE best chocolate pie…it’s the only thing I ever ask her for at Christmas time.  This one looks good, right?  Well, it didn’t set up like it should have, and is very soft.  It’s good, just not grandmom-good.  I’ll ask her for some pointers when we’re home after Christmas. 

I’m sleeeeeepy from being up since 4:30am.  I think I’ll go have a piece of mushy pie and relax!