Thanksgiving at the Grandparent's House

Playing Indian poker seems appropriate at a Thanksgiving celebration. 

The Negotiator: "We prefer to be called Native Americans!" 

Wrong Number

Grandpa came and picked up the boys to help him get some things ready for the family Thanksgiving dinner.  Johnny told them to call when they were done and he would come get them. 

Phone: "Ring" (caller i.d. = Grandparents' house)
Me: "Hello"
The Maniac: (In a deep disguised voice) "Hello, this is the exterminator. 
Me: "Do you know that we have caller i.d.?"
The Maniac: "Ma'am, I need to know if you need any extermination?" (giggles in the background from the brother)
Me: "No our pests went to their grandparents' house."
The Maniac: "Oh, do you know anyone else who needs any extermination?"
Me: "Grandpa."

Movie Night

Johnny: "Is the Netflix movie we have for kids too?"

Me: "Yes."

The Negotiator: "What is it?"

Me: "I don't remember.  It's on the DVD player."

Johnny: Reads the movie description.

Johnny: "You two better both behave.  If one of you isn't behaving we wont wait and watch it later.  We will watch it without you.  I have been dying to see a movie about a bunch of Canadian kids trying to save a spirit bear."

Thanksgiving Stritenberger Style

We don't get together for our traditional Thanksgiving with family until Saturday so for Thanksgiving this year we decided to do some dutch oven cooking outside. 



I think we may have stumbled on a new Thanksgiving tradition. 



Robert The New Show Steer

Doug E. Fresh

Poor video quality, But I'm sure you get the idea.

Food Drive

The Maniac came home and started searching through the kitchen cabinets claiming the teacher told him too.  Luckily I already knew the food drive was coming up and knew what he was talking about.  I made him a deal.  "How about I give you and your brother the same amount of money to spend and you decide what to buy?"

The class who brought in the most food got to have their picture in the hall with the title Biggest Giver.

The Maniacs strategy: He thought they would be going by which class filled the most boxes so he found the biggest thing he could the most of with his money.   30 Cup-O-Noodle soups.

The Negotiators strategy: Get as close to making a complete meal as possible considering price and things that are nonperishable.  2 boxes of mashed potato flakes, 2 cans of gravy, 2 cans of beans, and 1 can of apple sauce.

What started just as a way to keep my dinner plans in the cabinet turned out to be a really fun experience.  I think the boys got a lot more out of it this way. 

It turned out they counted the items and the school brought in over 1500 items with 180 students.  First grade won.  Fourth grade (The Maniac's class) came in second. 

Veterans Day

For Veterans Day the boys were asked to bring pictures of a loved one who served in the military. They asked Johnny if he could find some pictures of Grandpa Hoyt.  Here is what they brought to school.