This will be the first Thanksgiving my son will be eating the food first-hand (instead of via breast milk)! We’re hosting my partner’s sister and her almost-4-year-old, and at least one of our son’s godpapas.

I’m looking forward to getting my niece more involved in the cooking this year. I’m thinking I can put her in charge of ripping up the bread for stuffing — I always liked doing that as a kid.

We’re pretty traditional with the food. I use my parents’ recipe for turkey and stuffing (white bread, sausage, sage: the usual), and my partner makes mashed potatoes (butter by the pound!). Dessert will probably be my sister-in-law’s “dirt cake” which involves crushed oreos, chocolate pudding and whipped cream. But we will also either make or buy a pumpkin pie.

We’re having a quiet Thanksgiving at home, possibly joined by a Korean student of mine and his mom (I teach ESL).

Cooks are usually me and my youngest — we’ve got our turkey ordered and a tentative menu in place. Nothing fancy this year, just good ol’ warm tummy food. We may attempt a custard, something I used to make religiously in high school but haven’t done since.