Thanksgiving Day

And so, it is here -- TDay. For many people it is a day of stress as they race about, trying to get the house clean, the food cooked, the place prepared for the descending hordes of hungry friends and family. Often, in such moments, the 'Thankfulness' for which this day is named is lost and forgotten. I should know -- grin -- been there, done that. But today, for me, the 'Thankfulness' is very much present... and one of the reasons is currently seated on the living room floor examining his haul of Pokemon cards:>

So, for what am I thankful this day? For all the people in my life, for the fact that we are -- relatively -- healthy, for the homes we have, the food, the things, but more for the connections and the love we feel. I am grateful -- OH! SO grateful that G.B. is out of the White House soon and a (hopefully) better man is in. I am thankful that my friends have not suffered too terribly as a result of having family in Iraq though I grieve for those who have suffered the cost of that stupid action. I am grateful that the sun was out yesterday, that I get to watch my sons laugh and play and that I, lucky me, get to watch them learn and grow. I am very grateful that I am in a position to home school my children -- hording all those wonderful learning moments instead of having them slip past a stranger as if they were of no account. I am grateful for having had the oppurtunity to take the boys to Arizona to visit their grandparents -- for my parents who took the time to spend with us. For my father whose passion for birds and rocks and history have helped to inspire not only me but also my sons. I am grateful that my mother was able to go to Florida and spend the holidays with her sister. I am grateful that she is coming to see us in December -- a challenge to her physically and financially but a gift to all of us. I am thankful for coffee and the hope that it will chase awful headache! I am thankful for Tom, with all his quirks and fierceness who can make me laugh even when I am in serious grouch mode -- for his smiles and his sexiness, his brains and his humor. I am thankful for my sons, both of whom can drive me round the bend and then send me laughing in tears: For Jason with his brilliant blue eyes, kind spirit and clever mind, for Xander whose brown eyes melt all hearts, whose fierce independence is both frustrating and impressive.

And speaking of boys -- Thought I would share a few stories with you, to help bring smiles to your faces.

The first, most recent funny moment was provided by Mr. X. He and I were in the car, returning from Tae Kwon Do. He had had a hard time there because he'd not had a nap and was VERY tired. I was concerned, in fact, that he would fall asleep in the car on the way home -- and since it was 5 pm and dinner time, that would not have worked well. So I decided to engage him in conversation. Not being brilliant after a day of three little boys and a back ache, I openned with: "So, what is your name?" Xander, whose quickness with repartee is truly remarkable, responded 'Alexander the Great' I blinked. 'Really? I thought that that name was already taken?' 'Yes' responded AG, not phased in the least, 'But he is dead.' 'Oh' I was stumped for a moment. 'So, I know what he did to earn the title. What are you going to do?' He laughed at me and said 'I am going to find interesting things and collect them.' Ah.... and this from the child who had earlier announced his intention to conquer the world...

And then there is Jason who has recently discovered the joys of Amelia Bedelia and joke books. He delights in reading them aloud to all who will listen -- especially his younger brother who is more than willing to laugh in all the appropriate AND inappropriate places. The other night when we went into their room to read books, Jason's eyes lighted on the two 'Wizard and Wart' books I had placed there. 'I am reading THOSE!' he announced firmly. He plunked himself into the bed and Xander immediately claimed shotgun position at his shoulder. Jason began to read and almost from the first, the two boys were in tears of laughter. Part of the hilarity was the result of Jason's reading style -- he is beginning to learn to pause for dramatic effect (grin) only to spoil it by laughing! He will read, pause, and then, as his eye scans the next lines, desolve into laughter, choking out the next lines and having to re-read them. He has the makings of a comedian, though less stand up than slapstick, I think.