For the record...

It is nearly impossible to get a one-year-old to spread his fingers out and stamp his handprint on a shirt in any sort of orderly fashion. He'll be angry, and paint will go everywhere. It's okay. We're making memories here, and memories make messes.

It's nearly impossible to get a four-year-old girl to stamp her handprint on a shirt when (a) the paint is not glittery and (b) the turkey feathers you're trying to make are not pink. Some tears may be shed. It's okay. When she sees the matching tutu I'm making to go with the turkey shirt, I'm pretty sure the lack of glitter and pink will be forgotten.

It is extremely simple to get an easygoing two-year-old to smear paint all over his hands and make turkey feathers out of them. And when he's as agreeable as my two-year-old, he happily spreads his fingers and presses his hands down exactly where I tell him. I think Caleb was so thrilled to be getting the one-on-one attention from mom that this type of crazy craft requires, he was willing to do whatever I said.

When they wear these cute little shirts on Thanksgiving (the one and only time my kids will ever be dressed alike), I'll remember that Jacob wanted nothing to do with it, Abby wanted sparkles, and Caleb just wanted to spend time with me.

It's okay. We're making memories here.