Thanksgiving is a special time of year that seems to always end with a good meal, but it’s also a time for food and family, and a time for reflection and recollection. Some families may choose to go on a vacation to relax together for a few days; others might drive hours and hours to see the ones they love.
This year, we were able to sit down with some of the youngest residents of Mountain Brook from Cherokee Bend and Brookwood Forest elementary schools to hear about their favorite Thanksgiving memories and traditions.
Each up-and-coming Spartan had their own experiences, but there’s no doubt that no matter how you celebrate the holiday or who you celebrate it with, it will leave a memory for years to come.
Vince Schilleci
KINDERGARTEN, CBS
Favorite tradition: “We have a turkey roaster, and I invite my cousins over, and I love it forever.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Turkey.
Caroline Russell
SECOND GRADE, CBS
Favorite tradition: “Well I love to go to my aunt’s house and my cousins come, and we play corn hole on the tennis court.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Aunt’s mac and cheese.
James Paul Williams
THIRD GRADE, CBS
Favorite tradition: “When I go over to my grandma’s house and eat lunch there, and then we go over to my [other] grandparents’ house to eat dinner.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Sweet potato casserole.
Lauren Barksdale
FIFTH GRADE, CBS
Favorite tradition: “We usually go to one of my cousin’s house and the adults just cook and we get to play outside while they’re working.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Stuffing.
Lila Dixon
FOURTH GRADE, CBS
Favorite memory: “We went to the beach and on Thanksgiving we boiled shrimp and had that for dinner. Then we got dessert and had fun with my family.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Turkey.
Palin Wilkinson
SIXTH GRADE, CBS
Favorite tradition: “My favorite memory is probably playing football in the backyard. We always get really rough and dirty.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Turkey and gravy.
Carter Kirksey
KINDERGARTEN, BWF
Favorite tradition: “Before we all eat we play some games with my grandma.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Grandmother’s cake.
Hampton Doobrow
FIRST GRADE, BWF
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory is when my dad pushed me in a stroller during a running race.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Grandmother’s turkey.
Anna Claire Pledger
SECOND GRADE, BWF
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was when half of my family went to go to China to adopt the other half of my family.”
Anna Cate Brown
THIRD GRADE, BWF
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory is going out in the backyard field and shooting a potato gun.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Pumpkin pie.
Avi Goldberg
FOURTH GRADE, BWF
Favorite tradition: “After Thanksgiving we usually all play board games together.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Mom’s brisket.
Mimi Dorough
FIFTH GRADE, BWF
Favorite memory: “We all went to the lake one year and there was a 5K race that my family all ran.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Mom’s mac and cheese.
Mamie Dickey
SIXTH GRADE, BWF
Favorite tradition: “We go to Memphis every year and get to see my cousins.”
Favorite Thanksgiving food: Chicken.
