Thanks

The annual turkey fest came and went this weekend.  It's always interesting these days when we attempt to go and socialise for any length of time.

Our schedule is dictated by the boys right now, so that means prep time in the early afternoon and then, after naps: dress 'em and get 'em in the car before they know what happened.  I'm sure that, were I not digesting part of it right now, our Thanksgiving turkey would relate a similar but sordid tale to me of its own erstwhile adventures.

Our dinner was at Granny and Grumpy's house this year with 13 of us jostling for elbow room around an ad hoc dining table.  (The top of which I used to shovel great swathes of snow from my parents' driveway many winters past, but that just speaks to my mother's ingenuity and frugal upbringing.)  Great Grandma was there who, when she was just a wee grandma, was the host of this annual affair.  She's since traded in her turkey baster for a cane, and my brother and I have risen nearly to the ranks of those who gather to trade obligatory pleasantries with other family members seen no more than twice or thrice a year.  (Little Brother, of course, won't ever do that; his wool is too dark.)

The Fraser Window of Opportunity stretches from about 4.30 PM when we can get out our door, to very nearly 8.00 PM, when we must apologetically corral a toddler and a fussy infant, strap both writhing beasts into their respective car seats and speed home under gastrointestinal duress all the while serenaded by the plaintive wails of a turkey-sized baby who was just subjected to more laps than "Chastity" down at the local Crazy Horse Saloon.  (Sometimes it's okay that Tav pukes as much as he does; keeps the baby-wranglers at bay.)

I don't know if it was the evening out or some residual head cold or an impending ear infection, but Sunday night after dinner, home alone, both boys split a big ol' can o' Whup-Ass and opened it on us, their parents.  Tavish was up at midnight, and then again at two, and his final encore was at four-thirty when I just bailed him back in his crib and shut both bedroom doors.  Which woke Declan wailing for his daddy (touching, really), so I hauled him onto the couch with me where he ensured that no matter which position I tucked him into, he could still kick me in the balls.

Dex finally settled down about 7.30 in the morning when we drifted off to sleep with the rising sun.  Amy was up with the wee one a half hour later, which meant everybody was up.

We had oatmeal, toast and oranges for breakfast.  Amy discovered a second package of oatmeal in as many weeks that was bereft of any of the intended flavouring.  She mixed in a little brown sugar and milk and I got to polish it off.  Still pretty bland.  She cut out the customer service number and box top and will call in the observation this week.  Maybe we'll get a free box of oatmeal out of the deal.

(Score!!)

Granny and Grandpa came by in the evening bearing leftovers, which are invariably tastier than the first time around -- especially the cabbage rolls.  Turkey sandwiches this week, baby!

But the dishes are all done, there's only one load of laundry left to put away and Declan didn't need more than five stories, his bathrobe, bath towel, two blankets, Tigger and Mater (tow truck) to go to sleep.  And it's not quite yet midnight.

For many things in this life I am immensely grateful, but these above all:

(That's a red dragon tattoo on Dex's arm.  He loves it.)

Comments

[marian]

Whoooo-eee. This is why it's good to have kids when you're young-ish. Right now one weekend like that would cost me a week's recovery time. Lovely post, Si. And your new header is great.

[Paul]

Holy crap, does Tav ever look like Dex in that new banner shot!

[HazelHazel]

The new banner is precious. And ditto on what Paul said. Those are two beautiful kids.

Why is it that the young one always seem to wreak a bit of havoc at holidays?

[Linda]

As crazy as living this post must have been for you, it made me laugh out loud; especially "Chastity" and Dex on the couch with you. (sorry) Glad you got leftovers!
Banner is CBD (cute beyond description) and I love the PARENTING shot of the TOY (three of you)

[Paula]

Declan takes 'half-dressed' way too literally.

[Mark]

Interesting that Canada's Thanksgiving is almost exactly the same as here in the U.S., except I don't think it's as ridiculously commercialized, is it?

Another great snapshot of parental life from your parental lobe.

Especially the part where Dex keeps kicking you in the balls.

[Simon]

Marian,
you're the first person ever to refer to me as young-ish. As the queen said after Prince Philip finished with her: "I have arrived."

Paul,
the resemblance is striking, isn't it? Makes me suspicious of Amy's claims that the mailman is Tav's dad. I thought I had at least one of them to claim as my own.

Hazel,
holy crap they wreak.

Linda,
you make up better acronyms than anyone I know.

Paula,
Dex is half-dressed more often than he is fully dressed.

Mark,
you are very familiar with the definition of 'schadenfreude', aren't you?
*****

(whew, that was a mouthful of a response)

[TerriTorial]

I had to sleep in the same bed as my 3 year old the entire weekend. No matter what I did, his foot found my arse. Even through pillows. Amazing!

[papempinc]

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