Jake Martinez-Torralba, left, smiles while and Evelyn Ward, right, does her best impression of a turkey at Central Primary School on Tuesday, in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Jake Martinez-Torralba, left, smiles while and Evelyn Ward, right, does her best impression of a turkey at Central Primary School on Tuesday, in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Piping-hot Thanksgiving takes: Snohomish elementary kids talk turkey

“The pilgrims made Thanksgiving. I know that because we read books.” Read on for more lessons from Snohomish students age 5 to 7.

SNOHOMISH — Apparently, we all missed Thanksgiving by two months. At least, that’s according to 5-year-old Chelsea at Central Emerson School in Snohomish.

In other breaking news, the time-honored tradition of a turkey feast is out. Pizza is in, Chelsea confirmed. But her peer Adrian countered with a different main course must-have: turkey cake. According to Adrian, it is a new vegetable-cupcake crossover.

These Earth-shattering revelations necessitated some further digging, and eight students at Central Emerson were kind enough to share their piping-hot Thanksgiving takes, interviewing in pairs. So get your pens and notepads out! It may just be time to modernize your Thanksgiving traditions.

First, what is Thanksgiving?

Mateo, 7: The pilgrims made Thanksgiving. I know that because we read books. Oh! And there’s cranberries.

Nicolette, 6: It’s a time when your family gets together and has fun. And there’s a giant table covered in food.

Adrian, 7: It’s Thanksgiving! I like to be with my parents.

Ellis, 7: Thanksgiving is when you celebrate what you’re thankful for.

Kasen, 6: It’s when you celebrate all the good stuff you have in your life.

Chelsea, 5: It’s all for your grandparents.

Evelyn, 6: It’s a big feast. … With all your friends and family!

Jake, 5: It’s paint. Yeah, and we use the brown paint on our hands to make the turkey.

What should people do on Thanksgiving?

Mateo: Go to grandma’s house. Grandma’s food is yummy.

Nicolette: I’m just remembering that sometimes when I was really little I cooked — I made — peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Adrian: Go fishing! I like to fish with my family on Thanksgiving.

Ellis: Probably travel around the world. Maybe to like Alaska or something.

Kasen: Celebrate! And play.

Chelsea: Play with dolls. Yeah, baby dolls.

Evelyn: Probably paint some turkeys.

Jake: Yes! Paint turkeys.

What is the yummiest Thanksgiving food to have?

Mateo: Turkey! (Impersonates a gobble.)

Nicolette: I actually never go, so I don’t know much.

Adrian: Everyone should eat turkey cake! It tastes like vegetables but it has cupcakes. My favorite Thanksgiving food is cupcakes.

Ellis: Mashed potatoes. (Pats stomach.)

Kasen: Pumpkin pie. A big pumpkin pie.

Chelsea: A pizza. Not turkey. Or burgers.

Evelyn: Turkey!

Jake: No. Not turkey. Ice cream! I like ice cream.

What is the yuckiest Thanksgiving food?

Mateo: Nothing! I like everything my grandma makes. Grandmas make good food because pilgrim girls did, too.

Adrian: Salad. And vegetables! Because I am allergic to vegetables. My parents make me eat them, but I’m allergic.

Ellis: Gravy! Yuck!

Kasen: Pumpkin pie — smashed in ice cream! (Laughs.)

Chelsea: Poop. (Laughs uncontrollably.)

Evelyn: Salad! That’s so yucky.

Jake: All. I like the ice cream.

Who would you invite to Thanksgiving?

Mateo: Every person I know!

Nicolette: I would invite a boy and a girl turkey and wait for them to be a couple. And then I would wait for eggs. And then we would eat the mommy and daddy for dinner. And then I would wait for the eggs to grow up, and we would have so much turkey.

Adrian: All my friends.

Ellis: My family.

Kasen: Everybody! Not in the whole world, but everybody I know.

Chelsea: My cousin. We live close.

If a turkey could speak English, what would it say?

Mateo: Please don’t take me home and cook me and eat me for Thanksgiving day.

Nicolette: Don’t eat me! Eat something else!

Adrian: This is all my school! I’m in charge!

Ellis: Don’t eat me!

Kasen: Would you like to eat me for Thanksgiving?

Chelsea: Gobble gobble!

When was the first Thanksgiving?

Mateo: We read about this. It’s the pilgrims.

Nicolette: I never know.

Adrian: Probably on the first day of school. Of this year.

Ellis: Oh, I do not know.

Kasen: Um, 200 years ago?

Chelsea: In September probably. Yeah, back in September.

Evelyn: When the pilgrims came. Probably thousands of years ago.

Jake: Yes, for sure, thousands of years ago.

What are you thankful for?

Mateo: The turkey! And grandma.

Nicolette: Well, actually, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. So I know nothing. Nothing. But I’m thankful for my parents.

Adrian: I’m thankful for my parents.

Ellis: For my house and my parents.

Kasen: Thankful for my family.

Chelsea: My Dad.

Evelyn: I’m thankful for my family. And everything around them.

Jake: I’m thankful for my family, too!

Kayla J. Dunn: 425-339-3449; kayla.dunn@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @KaylaJ_Dunn.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks at the Snohomish & Island County Labor Council champions dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ferguson, WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown are readying their legal teams.

Benson Boone (Photo provided by AEG Presents)
Monroe’s Benson Boone snags Grammy nomination for Best New Artist

The Monroe High grad this year has opened for Taylor Swift and won an MTV Video Music Award.

From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair
Muzzall pulls ahead of St. Clair in tight WA Senate race

Incumbent state Sen. Ron Muzzall, a Republican, led by about 600 votes Thursday night.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood caregiver accused of $674K check fraud

Prosecutors allege Sheila Saluquen defrauded the elderly owner of a car dealership for over a year.

Deborah Rumbaugh
‘Very hostile work environment’: Stanwood-Camano school supe resigns

Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh said Tuesday she’ll be gone at the end of the school year.

Crews from Reece Construction Company mill asphalt off of Madison Avenue during the beginning of construction on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shares details on upcoming budget cuts

Street improvements, libraries and communications could see significant cuts as the city tackles a deficit.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.