"Think of it as a substitute field," she says and lowers him enough so he can place his feet back on something solid. She keeps her hand around him just in case she needs to help him steady himself.

With a free hand she jabs a thumb toward the stack of dishes on the table.

"Collette can't do this all on her own." Even if she could, it's hardly fair to someone who came up with the idea for a Thanksgiving dinner.