Carbsgiving

Caroline has been participating in the student ministry at our new church.  They meet on Sunday nights and every month they do a Destination Unknown trip.  You bring $5 and they'll bring you to an unknown place to eat.  This past month they went to Bojangles.  When I asked Caroline what she got, she said a 5-count meal.  What?  That's way more than $5.  Apparently you bring $5, but you can order anything under $12.  Not too shabby.  She's a fan.

For Thanksgiving week, they had a Progressive Dinner.  They gathered and drove to one house for an appetizer, a second house for the main course, and a third house for dessert.  She enjoyed it a lot. We're trying to get the boys involved, but Caroline isn't pushing too hard for them to join her.  

Josiah and I headed up to Staunton for the first week of Thanksgiving break.  The drive up seemed long.  I think we were tired from finishing up school.  I try to keep stops to a minimum since it is only a seven hour car trip.  However, when I asked Josiah what he wanted to eat, he chose a place that he never gets to go because his siblings always veto it.  Wendy's.  Wendy's, known for their speed and efficiency.  We stopped.  We waited.  We will never use Wendy's as a car-trip-stop again.  Josiah slowly enjoyed his burger for the rest of the car ride.  You better savor that buddy!

We got to visit with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Claire.  Josiah got to walk Maggie, which is always high on the list of things to do.  

Josiah also wanted to do a mini photo shoot in the backyard.  I quickly learned why.  

Again, no weight is being put on the pergola.

The next day, we headed to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.  In his quest to visit all the presidential libraries, Josiah crossed off his second one.  A guided tour came with the price of admission, and when it was our time for the tour, it was just Josiah and me.  There was a lot about his early life and marriages, but less about his presidency.  It was a good tour.  We were able to browse the museum by ourselves.  Before we left, Josiah reminded me that they had a World War I exhibit downstairs.  We walked down the concrete stairwell and as soon as we entered the exhibit, we heard noises.  It sounded like old pipes and a furnace was turning on, which was completely believable given the old building.  Josiah heard the sounds and immediately turned around with a, Let's go!  I convinced him it was just the pipes and we walked further in.  Then we learned it was a WWI experience of trench warfare.  Not pipes.  Gunfire.  

Before the museum, my knowledge of Woodrow Wilson was driving across his bridge connecting Virginia with Maryland.  Josiah had more knowledge about his role in World War I, but he also knew that he was the president who kept sheep on the White House lawn (to save money during WWI).  His 'mascot' for the museum was Wooly the Sheep, which was also the souvenir Josiah bought. 

Josiah did not want to try the hibachi restaurant like his siblings.  He is not a fan of rice...or vegetables.  However, to still give him a fire-in-your-face experience, we let him light Grandma's candles both evenings.  

Josiah and I headed back to SC at the beginning of the week.  Then, mid-week, Todd took Henry and Caroline to see Grandad & Nana for Thanksgiving.  Josiah and I stayed behind to take care of Benson.  A few hours after they had left, Josiah had three friends over and they got to working on another film.  Josiahpool and No One, the Movie.  They had a lot of fun and they took over as videographers.  I just took the group shots at the end.  

Since it was just Josiah and me for Thanksgiving, Josiah was able to pick his favorite dishes.  Introducing, Carbsgiving.  He wanted mashed potatoes with gravy, crockpot mac and cheese, and rolls.  We skipped (forgot about) the rolls.  As his "fruit or vegetable" we opened a can of fruit cocktail that had been in our pantry for quite some time.  Josiah always said it looked good, so Happy Thanksgiving to him!  Benson got a hot dog.  

Henry and Caroline had a much more traditional Thanksgiving meal at Grandad and Nana's.  When I talked to Henry that evening he said everything was quite good.  Caroline reinvigorated her love of badminton, playing it every day.  Henry, unfortunately, caught a stomach bug, so he was down for the count.  It had been a year and a half since the kids had visited, so it was good to say hello again!  

Poor Henry had a high fever when he came home, but he seems to be on the mend today.  He was adamant about not missing school on Monday, but he may need another day to recuperate.  We're down to just three more weeks of school before our longer Christmas break.