Incredible Turkeys

It was on this day in 2005 that The Incredibles was released in theaters. Of all the Pixar films, it is probably my favorite. It was a favorite of my oldest son, too. This blog isn’t about the movie, but does tie in….

Of my four children, three of them have had to do the same project in Kindergarten (Andrew hasn’t been to kindergarten yet). Prior to Thanksgiving, the kids are sent home with a picture of a turkey. They are instructed to disguise the turkey so that it doesn’t become Thanksgiving dinner.

Back in 2007, I doubt Pinterest was around and I don’t think you could Google “Turkey Project” and have hundreds of photos come up with ideas. When we asked my oldest son what he wanted to disguise his turkey, he said he wanted him to be Mr. Incredible.

I remember going out to some fabric store and buying colored felt. I did all of the cutting as some of the pieces were small. We bought some red and black feathers and we put it all together. I have to say, it came out really cool.

Two years later, my second son had the same project. We asked him what he wanted to do with his turkey. He wondered if it could be a dancer. So, we made him a disco dancing turkey. we were able to use some of the left over felt from the previous project, and bought a couple colors for hair and pants.

With my daughter now in kindergarten, in an entirely different school district, the turkey project came home over the weekend. My wife searched Pinterest and I looked online. Her first idea was to disguise the turkey as “Me. That way people will think he is just another friend.” So Sam and I started to think about how we could make the turkey look like her.

Then she changed her mind. She wanted the turkey to be disguised as the Tooth Fairy. We found an old tutu, some stickers for the eyes and mouth, made a wand with teeth on the end of it, and ta da – the Tooth Fairy.

Honestly, I love this silly project. I’m already excited to see what Andrew decides to come up with when it is his turn!

Turkey Projects …

Something came up in my Facebook Memories yesterday and it reminded me of a Thanksgiving project both of my sons did in school. I want to say that they did them in Kindergarten or First Grade. Each child is given a picture of turkey and they have to disguise the turkey so he/she will survive Thanksgiving.

When my oldest son, Dante’, did his project, he was a big fan of The Incredibles movie. He wanted to make his turkey like Mr. Incredible. I remember using felt to make the costume. We also used red and black feathers to match the outfit. As great as it turned out, I remember what a pain it was to get the mask right and to get the “i” in the middle of the costume to stay in place.

Five years later, my youngest son, Dimitri, was given the same project to do. I remember thinking, “How do we top the Incredible Turkey?” Eventually, we decided that this was going to be one groovy turkey. We decided he was going to dress up like he was going to a 1970’s Disco! I remember we had a bag of felt from other projects and I found some tan felt to make an afro. It wasn’t easy to cut, but I made a peace sign necklace out of the same red felt we used for the Incredible Turkey.

I’m sure Dante’ made other “turkey” themed projects, but I can’t seem to find the pictures. One of Dimitri’s still moves me to tears when I see it. Both boys have always been “mama’s boys,” so I was really surprised when I saw this project hanging on his locker one year…

“I am thankful for my dad” – Dimitri

Then there was this note from Dimitri to Dante’.

“Dear Dante’, I want to thank you for helping me with my homework I really apresheate (appreciate) it and thanks for playing every time I ask you are the best brother ever!”

I sent this to both boys today on Facebook. Dimitri laughed at his spelling error. I really hope that they can look back and always remember how good they were to each other.

I look forward to Turkey Projects and holiday themed projects from Ella when she starts school. I’m sure they will bring about smiles, laughter, joy , and tears.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am so thankful for my children and grateful for my family!