Tonight Swee’Pea and TheMonk sat down to their very first “sit at the table” Thanksgiving feast. We prepared a Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Sweet Potato Soufflé, and, of course, gravy.

As we sat down to eat, we prepared a small plate with each of the aforementioned items and served it to the waiting Swee’Pea and Monk. Each tried a little nibble but weren’t exactly wolfing down the delectable cuisine laid before them. Swee’Pea, eventually found the mashed potatoes and gravy and could not get enough. “More Mashed Potatoes, Please!” she’d ask after polishing of the glob I’d lay before her. As soon as I would lay a fresh glob, she’d jump right in. Soon, she became full of the butter & cream-injected potatoes. But she didn’t get tired of the gravy. No, she kept requesting me to put a little gravy on her plate. Not being one to deprive someone the joy of turkey-flavored fat, I indulged the little one and she happily licked the gravy off the plate with her fingers. Over and over again.

Meanwhile, TheMonk was on a hunger strike. This is unusual considering he will usually eat just about anything you put in front of him – including your fingers if you’re not quick enough. Today, however, he just played with his food – pushing around the potatoes, stuffing and Turkey on his plate. “Eat your Turkey, Pumpkin.” Mommy would beseech but to no avail.

Eventually, he pronounced he was “all done.” After we excused him from the table, he noticed the large, partially carved bird sitting on our counter. “I want the chicken.” he said, pointing to the large Turkey on the counter.

“Okay!” we say as I jump up and tear a few pieces of Turkey off the bird. “Here’s your chicken, Buddy.” I’d say.

He ate a handful of bites of the Turkey – but only when he saw me take them off the bird himself. One time, Mommy attempted to give him a bite of turkey she had in her hand. He had not seen her remove the piece from the bird so he refused it. Later, he ate the same piece as I took it from Mommy when he wasn’t looking and pretended to remove it from the bird.

So, after a day of cooking and making sure everything was just right, I could have saved us the trouble by roasting a chicken and serving it with a gravy chaser.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! May you be as blessed as we are.