We decided to be proactive and make some things ahead this year.  You know, instead of waking at dawn and killing myself for 6 or 7 hrs straight before we graciously dine in thanksgiving. I realize to most normal people with some years of cooking experience under their belts this is not groundbreaking stuff.  For whatever reason it hasn't fallen together this way for us very often. 

We have three pies, a large pan of apple crisp, and one of the three smallish turkeys made.  Our European ovens are small so we are moving a small flock of turkeys (or rather a flock of small turkeys) through the kitchen to feed our friends and family.  Real dough turned out to be much more engrossing than play dough.  The three littles sat rolling and making and remaking dozens of small pastries while I made pies.  

The boys spent the afternoon vacuuming and cleaning their rooms. They are teen and preteen boys so this was not as idyllic as it sounds in print. It took allllll afternoon and the vacuum did not survive the venture. But it's mostly done and ready for their big brother's arrival tomorrow.  It still seems surreal he will be here in this kitchen tomorrow.  

Abbie asked if this was our first thanksgiving with Asher.  I said no but it's the first one in a long time, so maybe it's the first for her (that she remembers.)  She said oh, because when you were a little girl you had Thanksgiving with him.  Newly 6yo logic and time perception and all. ; ) We probably won't be so fortunate next year so we are all especially thankful for these few days we get. 

And you? Are you pinching pie crusts and drying out bread for stuffing?