Thursday 22 November 2012

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Today we had Petite and Bebe's first real Thanksgiving (since we have been living in Europe for their lives up till now). They didn't quite get the whole historical precedence (Petite is mostly anxious that the Pilgrims' "President send them on a long journey and many people died"). Paternal grandma had us all go around the table and say what we are thankful for. Three year old Bebe says she is thankful for her sister (OK, my heart was truly melting). After dinner, when they should both be completely melting down from an exhausting day, Petite surprises me beyond belief. She goes into her room and CLEANS UP EVERYTHING (this has never ever happened before), organizing her toys and categorizing them and then proceeding to fold all of her little sister's clothes. This is the the kid who steps out of her clothes and usually just leaves them on the floor. After congratulating her and telling her how proud I am of this behavior, I ask what made her do this. She says "Thanksgiving is a holiday when we give thanks. So I cleaned up." Honestly, every time I think I have a little clue as to what makes my kids tick, they do something totally baffling and I am awestruck.