The Helfer Family: Thanksgiving Day

The Helfers headed south for Thanksgiving this year. We beat traffic Wednesday morning and, ~~I was ready to sleep for days after all the packing~~ we were ready for the weekend! First things first Thanksgiving morning… gotta get the turkey in the oven. But at our house, it’s tradition that my Dad “flies the turkey” first. We loved it as kids. And apparently so does James.

James had been up for a couple of hours, and it was time for a snack! When better than Thanksgiving Day to try a powdered donut?

I think he liked it.

Fast forward a few hours, a nap, and a wardrobe change. We were expecting a couple of guests for dinner and James was getting antsy so, Uncle Hampton took him out to his boat.

Not out on his boat. Just out to his boat. In the yard.

I think at that point, it could have been the best day of James’ life {since Halloween}.

He tried so hard to steer and sit at the same time.

Saying “Watch! I sit.” Which sounds exactly like “watch, oh sh*t” so, I had some explaining to do Monday morning at school.

Nonetheless, he took his boat driving very seriously. Pressing all the buttons.

Checking his blind spot.

And discussing the boat’s cleanliness with Uncle Hampton, using a leaf “wees” as example.

Only allowing for a few breaks here and there. But never fully letting go of his driving face.

And then a friend, Zane, stopped by, Mommy took one picture, and enjoyed catching up with old friends! I was proud of James for sharing, though. He loves to play.

James jumped in a pile of mud then, it was time to eat. We ate a delicious Thanksgiving dinner cooked mostly by my mom.

And then it was time to play again. Ms. Ellen brought James a giant teddy/key to his heart.

I’ll never forget this visit with James and Uncle Josh. He called him “Gosh.” Every time Josh walked out of the room, James said “Gosh, where are you?” Every morning, “Gosh? Gosh? Gosh?” Every time he cried, “Mommy, Daddy, Gosh. Mommy, Daddy, Gosh.” And when Josh was there, James would just stare at him. I don’t know if it’s because my brother is so tall, but James all of a sudden was star struck with him. He didn’t have much to say to Uncle Gosh. He just wanted him right beside him. I’ve never seen James like that with anybody. I couldn’t make sense of it. Just thought it was sweet. Actually brought a tear to my eye most times. Until I found them playing after Thanksgiving dinner. Gosh was helping James climb up the coffee table and then would hold him while James pretended to jump. What boy wouldn’t love that?

I thought ‘oh jumping off tables. Great.’ And then I got my camera and watched.

For the next hour or so we did what we do every night. Danced to The Monster Mash. It’s hard to say no to “A ma mash? A ma mash? A ma mash? A ma mash?” You eventually just let the kid dance.