another day of giving thanks!

I was invited to help out with a 21-pound turkey, so of course I came running to Hinesville!

The girls had been sleeping, but as soon as they saw me, their hair just had to be put in ponytails, too!

Christian felt no such compunction.

He was happy that I'd dropped some science on him and his classmates.

See those fifty water activity books on the sofa?

Yep, goodies from the NCW event I'd orchestrated for SERMACS2019!

Have you seen Junior's grades?

Well, no, Van Halen, but I have seen Junior's dad!

There Chris is, sitting with his son at the 'grown-ups' table!

Christina and I sat there, too, though she honestly didn't get in much sitting for the meal - not with two toddlers in the house!

She had to get them situated with their plates, get them to sit, get them their drinks, get them to leave each other's plates alone - whew!

See those two tow-headed little ones at their very own table?

Miyah was sure to make me sit as close to her as possible, as she has dubbed calls me "my Tina".

She was so excited about me being there that she fussed and fidgeted the entire meal, waiting on me to finish eating so we could play.

I made sure to have seconds so I'd have enough energy to keep up!

Christina was finally able to sit after the Thanksgiving meal was done.

No dishes to wash, as all was disposable this time - good for her!

Even the cooking was done mostly in aluminum foil pans to make clean up a breeze.

Now she was free to bask in a sunshower as she rocked gently in the swing!

What about the children?

Did I not already say that littlest girl  Miyah had taken over custody of me for the duration of my stay?

So my first niece was able to relax and enjoy the sounds of her daughters playing with her Tina all afternoon.
We played "fall down, go BOOM" in the safety of the trampoline, with me gently pushing them backward while laughing and saying the phrase!

We played on the swingset, with me showing Miss Chlo how to swing herself on her tummy.

They played on the slide while I cheered and we all - including Junior and the neighbor kids - played with Layla, the visiting dog of Christina's friend, Amanda.

How wonderful to have a warm day for our frivolity!

Then we all went back inside and had pumpkin pie.

The girls brought books for me to read to them, but wouldn't listen to more than a few pages before they were off to fetch another book.

We also half-watched the fifth "Fast and Furious" movie as they tussled on the couch, trying to sit right up next to me.

(smile!)

I had intended to leave after pie and before dark... 

but that didn't happen.

So, I waited until it was time for the two little blondes to go to bed...

and waited a little longer until they were settled for the night...

then I gave my hugs and took my plate of leftovers home.

(smile)

What a magnificent second day of giving thanks for each other!

i thank You, God.