Thanksgiving thoughts

Riley Laud may be in kindergarten, but she’s plenty old enough to know that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. In addition to her sister, diamonds placed second on Riley’s list of what she’s most grateful for this Thanksgiving.

Nine kids from Imagine School on Palmer Ranch, Emma E. Booker Elementary and Ashton Elementary School shared their Thanksgiving plans, their favorite — and most-despised — turkey-day foods and why they’re thankful.

Carson Miller
Imagine School on Palmer Ranch, first grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We’re going up to Iowa to see my grandma and cousins and go hunting.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“Pumpkin bars with pumpkin frosting and sweet rolls that my aunt makes.

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving food?
“Turkey.”

Emme Landry
Ashton Elementary, first grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We’re probably going to have turkey, mashed potatoes, peas and corn.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“Pongo. He’s my dog, and he’s funny because he runs into glass doors.”

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving food?
“Mashed potatoes.”

Will Evans
Ashton Elementary, first grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We usually go to my grandma Mimi’s house, but this year we’re going to Aunt Sue’s.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“Turkey, my grandma Mimi, my dog, mom, dad and sister.

Is there something you won’t eat?
“Beets and peas.”

Dyamond Brown
Emma E. Booker Elementary, fourth grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We always go to church and rent out a special room to have a Thanksgiving feast. Last year, my mom got a piece of cake with icing and threw it in my face!”

What are you thankful for this year?
“I’m thankful for my family because anything that we go through, they still love me.”

Is there something you won’t eat?
“Cauliflower, peas, corn and chicken gizzards — and when my mom burns cookies, but I eat them anyway to make her happy.”

Briana Borrero
Ashton Elementary, first grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We’re going to Disney to see Mickey. There’s a new Space Mountain ride, and I’m going on it!”

What are you thankful for this year?
“I’m thankful for Thanksgiving and because I get to eat turkey — I love turkey. Oh, and for my cousins, because I love them.

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving food?
“Turkey. I don’t eat anything else.”

Is there something you won’t eat?
“Pie. I hate pie.”

Eddie Hundley
Emma E. Booker Elementary, fourth grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“My family is determined to go somewhere every Thanksgiving. This year, we’re going to North Carolina to see my dad’s side of the family.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“My family, because they help me when I go through situations.”

Is there something you won’t eat?
“Cranberry sauce.”

Riley Laud
Imagine School on Palmer Ranch, kindergarten
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“Normally, we go to my grandmother’s. My granddad puts on the hot tub and keeps the pool freezing, and we go back and forth. We also decorate the house very Thanksgiving-like and eat at the Thanksgiving table.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“My sister and diamonds because they’re both beautiful. I don’t know how much I have, but I have so much I’m not even sure how to count them all!”

Juliana Schlabach
Imagine School on Palmer Ranch, first grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We’re going to North Carolina, and I’m going to watch my dad and brother go hunting. I like deer meat.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“My family.”

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving food?
“Pumpkin bread.

Is there something you won’t eat?
“Peas.”

Le’Asia McNeal
Emma E. Booker Elementary, fourth grade
What are your Thanksgiving plans?
“We have a party every year at my aunt’s house with about 50 people.”

What are you thankful for this year?
“My family, because they do so much for me.”

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving food?
“Stuffing, because it’s crunchy.

Is there something you won’t eat?
“Cranberry sauce.”