Tonight ... On ER

Our Thanksgiving road trip was fairly uneventful ... until Jake fell in the world's largest McDonald's in Vinita, Oklahoma, and split his forehead. A fellow customer on a quest for a double Big Mac knocked him down and didn't even stop. (As a parent and a vegetarian I have an ever-growing disdain for McDonald's.)

And although there was blood and tears and french fries, what I walked away with was surprise at how calmly Bryon and I (and Jake and Sam) handled the event. My optimistic friend Joslyn thinks everybody can sweat the small stuff, but it's how you handle the big stuff that matters. I hope that is the case.

A local offered to lead us to a nearby hospital. To circumvent any panics I mentioned that he happened to look like Santa Claus and ... did anyone notice he was driving a red pick-up truck? Sam took the bait and started in with a story about how Santa must have fairy dust that turns the truck into a flying sleigh on Christmas Eve because a pick-up truck would be much better for collecting toys.

As long as we were handing Jake McNuggets and Happy Meal toys he was happy. A little superglue and we were on our way. The glue will flake off in time and he'll be left with a teeny scar and a good story.

So, lessons learned? Kids love hotels. The person who thought to put DVD players in cars is a saint. And, when it's all said and done, there really is no place like home.