Ponder the true meaning of Thanksgiving with these little pumpkins
By Meagan McGone
mmcgone@hometownnewsol.com
BREVARD - Thanksgiving Day is almost upon us, and adults are busy making plans, whether it be scrambling to book holiday travel or putting together shopping lists.
But leave it to the little ones to never forget what Thanksgiving is all about: to be grateful for all that they have and to eat lots and lots of turkey.
From cooking advice to their thoughts on the origins of the holiday, these youngsters had a lot to say about Turkey Day.
Mario Maldonado, age 5; Palm Bay
Q: What happened on the very first Thanksgiving?
A: They ate meat, broccoli and chicken.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving?
A: I like meat and turkey. My least favorite things to eat are veggies; I hate all five of them.
Q: Why do they call it Thanksgiving?
A: It's just called Thanksgiving. I don't know why.
Q: Tell me step-by-step how to cook a turkey.
A: First you put cheese all over it, then you put it in the oven for about five days. No, I think it's about 5 minutes.
Q: What are you thankful for in your life?
A: My dogs and my family.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
A: Eating meat and going to my cousin's house far away. (Note: His cousin lives in Orlando.)
Vincent Breckenridge, age 6; Melbourne
Q: What happened on the very first Thanksgiving?
A: People gave other people chocolate and dinner because they loved each other and were hungry.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving?
A: My favorite thing is pumpkin pie because my daddy likes when mommy cooks it for him. I don't like carrots because they are gross.
Q: Why do they call it Thanksgiving?
A: Because it's a holiday and you say thank you after you eat.
Q: Tell me step-by-step how to cook a turkey.
A: You shoot a turkey. Put it in a really big pan. Put a lot of secret ingredients on it. Cook it for two days. Then you cut it up and eat it.
Q: What are you thankful for in your life?
A: I am thankful for all of my family and my friends because we have fun playing, and my bike because I can ride without my training wheels now.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
A: Playing hide-and-seek with my cousins at the Wakulla because it's my Meme's hotel, and it's got a hot pool.
Aidan McMahon, age 5; Melbourne
Q: What happened on the very first Thanksgiving?
A: The Pilgrims and Indians were friends, and the Indians taught the Pilgrims how to plant their crops.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving?
A: Turkey, pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread are my favorite. Green beans are my least favorite.
Q: Why do they call it Thanksgiving?
A: Because you give thanks to God.
Q: Tell me step-by-step how to cook a turkey.
A: You take the bones out of it and put gravy on it. Then you put it in the oven for a long time and cook it. Then everyone gets to eat it.
Q: What are you thankful for in your life?
A: My whole family, my house and my four-wheeler.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
A: No school and pumpkin pie.
Ainsley McMahon, age 3; Melbourne
Q: What happened on the very first Thanksgiving?
A: The Indians came and showed the Pilgrims how to plant their corn.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving?
A: Turkey and macaroni cheese are my favorite. Fish is my least favorite.
Q: Why do they call it Thanksgiving?
A: Because you get to eat a lot of turkey.
Q: Tell me step-by-step how to cook a turkey.
A: You put it in the oven.
Q: What are you thankful for in your life?
A: My mommy, my daddy, my brother and my cousins.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
A: You can eat turkey.
Rylan Rock, age 3 (and a half); Palm Bay
Q: What happened on the very first Thanksgiving?
A: They put the turkey out.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things to eat on Thanksgiving?
A: Turkey is my favorite. I don't like yucky turkey.
Q: Why do they call it Thanksgiving?
A: 'Cause it's Thanksgiving.
Q: Tell me step-by-step how to cook a turkey.
A: First, put it in the oven and let it cook for a while. Then, put it in a box and take it outside, and people eat it all and they get full.
Q: What are you thankful for in your life?
A: Santa! And my family and coloring, too.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
A: Santa!