The Turkey Who Came To Dinner

"You know, I wasn't sure about that whole mustard-on-the-turkey thing but I have to admit it makes sense," Betty said as she watched Charlotte prepare the turkey.

"My mother swears by it," Charlotte said; she knew that it would have shocked everyone that she was handling the food, due to her corporate image, but honestly she loved taking a break from the meetings and the stress and just focusing on making something her family would enjoy. "The mustard sticks better than the rub."

"Hey, consider me won over," Betty said. She had been a bit insulting about the mustard idea but after Stu and Didi had spoken up about having it she had given in and now saw that it did work. A lot better than butter, that was for sure!

Meanwhile Chuckie came in with his daddy, Chas leading the boy to the playpen. "Hey Stu, hey Drew. Saw the satellite dish… looks great!"

"Yeah!" Stu said. "Going to get the Lions game in real crystal clear. And Didi got that movie her and Charlotte were interested in seeing so they'll watch that in the family room while we camp out in the living room."

"Hey Tommy!" Chuckie said with a grin, toddling over to his friend. "You look really nice today!"

"Uh huh!" Tommy said proudly, tugging on his shirt. His mommy and daddy had decided to dress him up so he was wearing a shirt with a collar, pants, and even little socks! "I think my mommy and daddy are going to finally let me be a big kid!"

"Heh, good luck with that," Angelica said as she came over. "You know it takes more than just wearing nice clothing to be a big kid."

"I know!" Tommy protested… though admittedly he HADN'T known that. "I have ta do lots of other stuff… uh… like…"

Angelica rolled her eyes. "When the adults have dinner you can't make a mess."

"We can't?" Lil asked.

"But makin' a mess is the best part of eatin'!" Phil chimed in.

"For babies, maybe. But grown ups eat nice and cleanerly. You ever see Uncle Stu spit up on himself? Or Aunt Didi cover their hands in mush?"

"Well… no," Tommy admitted.

"I don't know if I want to be a big person if I can't have fun eating," Lil said.

"Suit yourself!" Angelica said with a wave of her hand. "You can stay dinky babies forever, trapped in your playpen."

Tommy frowned as she left. "Guys… we have to trys!"

"But Tommy…" Phil whined, "I am all ready ta make a big mess!"

"Well… I'm not! I'm done being a baby!"

And so when it came time to eat Tommy resisted the urge to make a mess, being very careful with his food. And while he didn't have as much fun as Phil and Lil…

"Look at my big boy!" Didi proclaimed proudly, lifting him up. "So grown up!"

Tommy beamed, feeling bigger already.