Mangez Bien, Riez Souvent, Aimez Beaucoup.: Deck The Halls

I had an interesting Thanksgiving this year. Maybe it was because I shared the traditions with my French relatives who were not previously acquainted with this American holiday. Maybe it was because I didn't have anyone (besides my boys) from my family in our home this year. Maybe it was because I'm pushing 40 and my aging mind is messing with me, making me more sentimental than I ever was before. Whatever the reason, I felt this crushing wave of emotion wash over me and bring tears to the brims of my eyes as I talked on the phone to my parents and each of my sisters, listened to the sounds of chatting, laughter, and Mary Poppins, watched my family busily preparing our feast, and inhaled the aroma of turkey, stuffing, and all the other fixins wafting through the house. In my secret heart of hearts, I hoped that the same sensations were cemented in Nicco's memory, even if subconsciously, so that when he is grown up and reminisces about the holidays, he will remember these sights, sounds, and smells.

Nicco and Papi peeling, coring, and slicing apples for our apple pie

Our pretty table setting...the napkins are unstarched, so Patrice couldn't do anything fancy with them. We don't have any napkin rings, so while the French people cooked, Nicco and I made napkin rings.

Our feast, including home-made cranberry sauce with orange juice from our own oranges, and French-style stuffing. We talked about the things we are thankful for, family topping the list.

Nicco has been counting down until he can start counting down. With all the countdowns in his head, I was a little surprised that he remembered that after Thanksgiving, we get to set up for Christmas. On Friday morning, Patrice and Papi put some new shelves together in the garage and in the organizing process, they brought the Christmas boxes inside. Nicco played with our little Holy Family (thanks, Mom, for buying a nativity set at Hobby Lobby so Nicco has one to play with!) and advent house. At one point, Baby Jesus got stuck in one of the windows and we had to use a special tool to get him out. Nicco said "I knew Baby Jesus should go in the 25," 25 being the biggest room in the advent house. Nicco also wore our stockings and his Santa hat as he pulled out each ornament and oohed and aahed.