Thanksgiving 2008
So another long awaited holiday comes and goes. I was looking forward to this one because it was the first Thanksgiving that I was not hosting at MY house in at least 7 years. Mom was dying to do it in her new house, thus giving me a very relaxed outlook on this family gathering. I should have known better.
We knew months ago that 1/3 of us siblings would not be in attendance. They planned their second annual family vacation to Georgia to be with friends. So that left the remaining 2/3 of us, plus our spouses and children. I had spent the week joking with the available one, that he would probably have to "call in sick" or that the weather would be too bad for them to make the 2 hour trip north. I secretly hoped that by joking and setting it up, it would not happen. I should have bought a lottery ticket I guess. By 9am the email came, that the wife and toddler were ill. Then, we get the call that Dave's parents were also sick and would not be going. I knew it was going to be rough.
So, knowing a new outfit always can get you through, I pulled out a new Christmas outfit for Jillian. We had planned to bring the dog along so that was Ethan's "accessory". As long as everyone was all gussied up, I decided I'd try to get some pictures for the annual Christmas card. I had to start by reminding Ethan that I have not dressed him up and dragged him to a photographer since he was Jillian's age...and that the matching outfit I pulled out of his closet he only had to put on long enough for me to take pictures in. He was NOT happy. As the picture is worth 1,000 words, LOOK at his face! But then, the dog came into the scene and it all changed. REAL smiles...REAL laughter...REAL fun. For the kids that is, not the DOG.
As it came time to go, we did decide to give the dog a break and leave her home. She'd been up and running and playing all morning, and the photo shoot really did her in. By 1pm she was ready for her crate and a NAP. Ethan agreed that we did not need to bring her. I was secretly hoping for a BREAK from the dog, so I was thrilled to crate her and run.
As for the actual Thanksgiving gathering....can we just say YAWN, yawn? My kids were BORED to death....and I just kept wishing it had been at my own house. Mom was frustrated and disappointed and said I could do it next year. Fine, but I told her that it will be planned around when everyone is AVAILABLE, not only 2/3 of us. I had been the one pushing for the Sunday BEFORE to celebrate....but mom insisted it be on THE DAY. Not that people couldn't have been sick that day too... but at least we'd have been starting with better odds!
The day did finish with me making my photo cards and uploading them to Walmart to pick up at my leisure tomorrow. That has always been MY relaxation...doing my cards over Thanksgiving break. They did turn out darn cute...and I can't wait to see them!
