Thanksgiving Break

Classes, thank goodness, are almost over. And as I write my last papers, prepare my last speeches, and study for those last quizzes, I think of Thanksgiving break. Not only because it reminds me to be thankful despite my stress, but it motivates me to plow through my work so that when I finally go home I will be able to relax.
I love Thanksgiving, and this year I am anticipating so many things that have made it memorable for me in the past:
-The dinner. We always eat later in the after, around 3 or 4 or so. Mom makes turkey with stuffing, of course. We have real mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, peas, pumpkin pie, homemade rolls (absolutely divine!), and so on. Every where mom tries out some new recipe she found. Last year we had chocolate pie and sweet potato casserole (if indeed that's what it's called). Mom always puts out a relish tray for us to eat while she cooks.
-The preparation: Everyone has a role in the kitchen to help her prepare. I always make the green bean casserole and, if I remember correctly, Josiah makes the pumpkin pie. We decorate with fall leaves, Indian corn, and little playmobile figures depicting the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving feast. Someone irons mom's Hungarian tablecloth while someone else prepares to set the dining room table.
-The day. Sometimes we watch the Thanksgiving parade. Sometimes not. I think the fun behind that was being able to turn on the tv before lunch. However, one of the best things about Thanksgiving is living across from Home Depot. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, the store is closed. So we pump our tires and drag our bikes across the street for endless riding in the parking lot. Lucky is the child who first goes through Steak N Shakes drive thru; there's always money on the ground. I'll admit, my bike riding skills are lacking (seeing as I ride about once a year...), but that hasn't made it any less fun.

I can't remember the rest of the day very well. We play, clean, and act like we always do. A big family with a lot of people trying to do a lot of things at once. The rest of break usually goes as such: Black Friday mom and dad get up early (for me, not for them) and head to the store like everyone else. That is, if there are any good sales. We're usually instructed to have some sort of Christmas list by this time so they can check out ads and see what is easily obtainable. Friday is often thrift store shopping day. Major Thrift always has a sale on holidays, so we join the masses in combing through our favorite second (and third, and fourth, and fith, etc.) hand shop.
Saturday is Christmas decorating day. Bring down the fall colors, and out with the red, green and white! Boxes and boxes of it. As we have redecorated and rearanged the house this summer, Christmas decorating will no doubt be different. I look forward to the challenge, though, and know we will make the house look like a winter wonder land. =) Saturday night is "go across the street and pick out the best tree Home Depot has in stock" night. Sunday is decorating the Christmas tree (with hot cider or cocoa, I trust).
It's wonderful. Don't be fooled, however. There is a lot of bickering, fights, frustrations, etc. That happens with any family, and mine is no exception. But with all our faults (I have more than my equal share in all that), I still love it and am looking foward to a season of Thanksgiving, family, and green bean casserole!