I can’t believe it has been over a week since Thanksgiving. The troops have returned to school and I need to do something about the pile of leftovers in the refrigerator. It is possible to have leftovers in our household, though usually only around the holidays.

Johnny has been eating pumpkin pie for breakfast. I keep reminding myself that it is a vegetable. Or a fruit if you want to be technical about it.

It was a busy week and we made some wonderful memories. There were board games, puzzles, and Smash Bros battles. Not to mention long naps on the couch in the midst of sheer chaos. The later surely qualifies my children for combat duty. I’m confident that they could sleep in a war zone.

Since everyone was home, we trekked out to cut down the Christmas tree. We found the perfect tree after ten rounds of fierce negotiations. Our kids freely express their opinions. Loudly and often at the same time. Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious donut and a cup of hot chocolate.

I found great parental satisfaction in the field trip. Apparently, the frontal lobe has finally formed in some of the older kids. Proof positive: they expressed concern about Johnny carrying the ax.

Afterwards we took the kids to select their annual Christmas ornament. Becky was mesmerized by the lights and sparkle of the store.

On Thanksgiving Day, we somehow all made it to Mass. I could hardly join the prayers and singing when I scanned the long pew and saw everyone gathered together. It’s my favorite service of the year. Honestly, I think the kids enjoy seeing me cry.

Afterwards, we returned home to prepare for the Thanksgiving feast. As I finished the cooking, the girls decided to play dress up. With Michael’s hair. As he watched game film from a recent Ultimate Frisbee tournament, the girls styled his mop with a crimping iron.

Afterwards, the kids went to play frisbee golf to avert their hunger before the big meal. Michael braved public scrutiny while sporting this new hair style. Sam and I enjoyed a brief visit with his parents who stopped in on their way to Iowa.

The Thanksgiving meal miraculously came out all hot. And everyone had a fork.

Michael had his wisdom teeth removed the day after Thanksgiving. Angela took him to the appointment. She wanted a front row seat in case the anesthesia produced any humorous moments. She was not disappointed. Apparently Michael refused to believe that the surgery had actually happened and was irritated when the nurse took down his hoodie.

He also argued that he should drive home and tried to get out of the car at an intersection. After arriving home, he suggested that we all go bowling. He then fell fast asleep.

As the weekend came to a close, I went through Johnny’s school folder. I found a delightful summary of the holiday.

We ate everything on his list. But we forgot to make time for a family football game.

I’m sure he will remind us about it next year.