Happy Thanksgiving

The weather today is a bit like my emotions. As normal for this time of year out on the tip of the heel of the boot, the sun is shining one moment, and the next there is a downpour. At least the temperature has dropped and it doesn't feel like spring approaching summer today. That helps me get into the holiday spirit.

While I took the 2 big kids to preschool this morning, I listed the names of family members that would be getting together in America today.  Then I asked, "What do you think they will be doing?" I thought for sure they would know... afterall, I have been reading a Thanksgiving themed book each night of November and we have made Native American crafts and traced our hands into turkeys. But, their idea of America, and all the happenings, must be stuck in summer time, because their answer was, "Swimming." Well, that is what we did with the family the last time we were there and the comic relief was needed as it was hard for me to get out a whole sentence without getting choked up. I recounted my memories of Thanksgiving and my ideas of what everyone would be doing today.
I guess every year is different. I'm pretty sure I was bummed my first Thanksgivings here, but I must have gotten used to the idea because I never remember crying over an attempt at a Thanksgiving meal. Some years we have a go at the meal, trying to recreate the feast without the American conveniences, and sometimes we just go out for pizza. I'm not sure why this year is more difficult, but to look on the brighter side and in the spirit of this holiday, I must be thankful.
I am thankful I walked into Lidl today (which is a German chain like Aldi), because the baby didn't seem ready for her morning nap, and I found this.

After I put the baby down for a nap, I had a wonderful, quiet lunch.

Also, at Lidl I found, for the first time in seven years... drumroll, please...

Sure, we have turkey here... but not in this form, and certainly not with the pop-up thermometer! I think Italian turkeys must be too big for them to sell a whole turkey and, honestly, I was worried that this would not fit in my small, European-sized freezer. But, it did and now when my husband comes back in town we will make this with all the fixin's and celebrate further by decorating the tree. 

I also decided to bail out on my usual house work and play.

I am thankful for the chance to use a clothesdryer every now and then.

So, soon I will leave to get the kids from school. And, weather permitting, we will hang out at the park outside the school and the kids will play with their friends. Even though they have been with their friends for six hours and are very tired, it is their favorite thing to do. I will load up their bikes in the back of the car, despite the lack of space and my list of housewifey chores running through my head. Despite the fact that this does not fit into the schedule of the very heavy 9 month old baby who will probably end up in my arms or struggling to get down to crawl around the filthy park.

But, to celebrate the "togetherness" of the holiday, we will stay and play.

I will rush home to cook the baby's pastina (little rice-sized pasta). I am thankful she is the perfect surprise addition to this family.

I will make the pudding-dense, Italian hot chocolate for a late afternoon snack for myself and the kids. I am thankful that they give me a chance to be a kid again.

We will wait for daddy to get home after a day in the clouds. I am thankful he loves his job.

I am thankful that he makes my my café latte every morning. I am thankful that he is the daddy in this family. I am thankful that he is my friend.

...and then I will update later on our meal together tonight... Hark! Friends, family, good food, and a thankful heart... I guess Thanksgiving isn't that far from Italy, afterall.