Thanksgiving 2021 with Alex

As I take a break from decorating the Christmas tree, I realize I never posted anything about Thanksgiving. Ours was quiet, low key, and enjoyable. I cooked the main meal for Frank and me on a simplified scale on Wednesday night. Instead of a whole turkey I made a butterball 3-4 lb turkey breast roast.  I made Pepperidge stuffing on the stove top and used the gravy packet that came with the turkey breast. We had whipped sweet potatoes with torched marshmallows and steamed green beans instead of the traditional green bean casserole. I had made pumpkins pies earlier in the day.

 

Having this meal the day before left our Thursday free to go to visit Alex on the holiday itself. The weather was gorgeous. We did puzzles with him in the back yard under the Gazebo.

Then we went for a walk with him on his adult tricycle. Frank had pumped up the tires. A lawn mower handle attached to the back enables Frank to give Alex a push when he needs it. A rope allows Alex some freedom when he is pedaling but allows Frank to rein him in since Alex does not know how to brake.

Alex pretty much sets the pace and we follow. Sometimes he pedals along at a pretty good clip. We only get to glance at the sites along the way such as the whimsically decorated mailbox at one neighbor's house.

We did a figure eight route: in and out one cul-de-sac with a long entry throat where we chatted with a neighbor putting up Christmas yard decoration, then backtracking to go the other direction back past St. Denis, and across the street into the parking lot of the Cal High swimming pool. Alex particularly likes the speed bumps in the parking lot.

After we returned, Alex did not seem tired at all, but we still wanted to keep him busy, so we went for a car ride. This pandemic has been hard on Alex since his day program has been held only virtually. Alex needs three dimensional people interaction so anything we can do to get him safely out of the home is a win-win for him.

We kept him out until it was time for his dinner, riding around about an hour and then returning him home. We left just before Alex's dinner time to return to our home. Our own Thanksgiving dinner was great – microwaved leftovers. There is no fuss and I believe everything tastes better the next day.