A Soon-to-Be Four Year Old Gives Thanks

My Aunt Beth had a great idea. She suggested we write thank you cards to the people we care about this Thanksgiving. As much as I would love to do that, we see my family too seldom for Lukas to know what to thank people for. What he did come up with is:

To My Mom: He's thankful for your silliness (because he remembers running through the Brussels Airport with you), the Easter eggs that he hunted with you, and for the times that we've been able to stay at your house.

To Melissa (my sister): He's thankful for the cards and photos you send us. As are we!

To Jessie (my youngest sister): He's thankful for the cool Spider Man toy you gave him last Christmas.

Grandma and Grandpa Woodman: Lukas is thankful for the many cards you've sent, as well as "the money". He says his favorite is the one that sings "You are my sunshine..."

Paul, Teri, Alyssa & Evan: "Thanks for coming to visit us and for the tattoos!" :)

Grandma Hamel / "Memere": Lukas is thankful for the times that he's able to talk to you on the phone.

Oma and Opa (Tobi's Parents): Lukas is thankful for the present you sent with Tobi last week. "Oh, I love presents!"

Carrie, Danny & Mia: Alright, I'm going to be brutally honest, because his answer was kind of funny. Lukas (who adores Danny when they're together) said, "Danny doesn't like to play. He only likes to be mean all the time." But he did say that he was thankful to be able to play with Mia! :) Needless to say, we had a little talk about this one.

Caroline (Flipse, our friend at the gym): "Thank you for the cookies that we had at your house!"

Peter (Claeijs): "Thank you for hunting the food for Arda." (He thinks the food that you hunt goes into the town store).

Julia (Claeijs): "Thank you for the poffertjes!" (That she made for Lukas a long time ago!)

Bindi (Irwin): Lukas would like to thank you for being an "animal rescuer". You're his wildlife warrior hero and his new (somewhat imaginary) friend! :) He also wants to thank you for stopping to say hi to him at the Australia Zoo!

Baby Brother Alex: For your kisses! :)

Mama: Thank you for popsicles and cuddles!

Papa: Lukas thanks you for his trip to Australia!

Friends and schoolmates in Oudelande & 'S-Heerenhoek: Lukas is thankful for the many play dates and parties... and espcially for "the chips and cake" (at the parties)! :)

Viera, Miro, Laura & Gregor: Lukas is thankful for "decorating and eating the cake", and for being able to stay with you during our time Down Under! Us too! :) Thank you!!!

If your name isn't listed here, know that I'm thankful for you... even if you didn't make the list of a forgetful almost-four-year-old. We're very lucky indeed to have such wonderful friends and family... around the world. And although we'll have no turkey dinner this Thanksgiving, we're very mindful of the people that have made our lives so special. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Lukas (along with Liz, Tobi and Alexander) Kraft