Because I’m a nice person, or maybe because I’m stupid, I hosted a dinner on Sunday night for my husbands family. You know, the Sunday night that’s just two days after Christmas. You know, a dinner for 24 people (4 of whom are under 2). You know, cooking and all.
My MIL is in town for the holidays. There were some aunts and uncles and cousins and spouses and sisters and all their kids here. There were 4 kids under 2.
When I did all of my shopping for Christmas Eve, I bought all the food for Sunday. You know, I was on it. I was organized. But then I counted people, and counted again, and then one more time and came up with 24 and decided that I needed more food. I was ok making 2 lasagnas, 3 was pushing it. So, Saturday morning when I stupidly got up at 6:30 to go shopping, I went to Costco on my rounds to pick up another pre-made lasagna. I was there so early, they weren’t even open yet. (Turns out being at Costco when they first open is an excellent time to be there, unless you’re there for the free samples in which case you’ll have to go later in the day.)
Blah blah cooked blah browned meat blah made lasagna blah blah people were coming at 4. OH OH OH!!! It turns out that if I want Paul to clean up and put things away and sweep and vacuum and MAKE THE BED, I need to invite over 21 of his relatives. I mean, HELLO!!! He was cleaning like crazy!! I may actually invite all these people over again.
It turns out that we all had a really nice time. The 4 toddlers were all over the place and the 2 kids (maybe 5 and 7, or 6 and 8 – I have no idea) all had a great time together, playing and making LOTS of noise. My MIL and her siblings had a great time catching up and getting to spend some time with one another. And the rest of us 30-somethings, give or take a few years, had a good time chasing the kids, comparing baby war stories, and actually getting to see one another. The food was great and I had more than enough (running out of food is a party fail), even some of the babes liked the lasagna.
It was an EXHAUSTING day. The good thing about starting a party at 4 is that everyone is gone by 8.
I may sound like I’m complaining (and maybe I am, just a little) but really, I kind of thrive on it. I love to entertain. I mean, I can feed 24 people dinner and dessert and I have more than enough plates and silverware that I don’t have to wash any forks for the second round. How can I not thrive on entertaining? I’m just glad the weekend is behind me. I need a break, for at least a few days.
*****
Daily disclaimer: I worked out Monday, 30 day shred, level 1. And while typing this post (Monday night), I took a break for ice cream. The ice cream will be going in the trash before I go to bed. May they RIP with the M&M’s that went into the trash this morning. That makes 9 out of the past 10 days. Not too shabby. It would be more impressive if I weren’t eating ice cream…
