new year's eve celebrations-part 1

We had our monthly get together with my husband's high school friends. I always thought it was so nice that he has had this core group of friends for such a long time. We went over to Jim and Masie's house. They have slightly older girls, but there are younger kids from the other friends. As usual, the boys (very picky eaters) didn't want to eat what was already prepared. Masie, who is probably one of the kindest people I know, wanted to make something special for them. I told her that my husband and I decided that they have to eat what is offered or be hungry. Bob and SJ are old enough now that they should eat if they are hungry.

Bob was willing to try Jim's sweet and sour meatballs, but SJ was not eating anything. There was chicken dumpling stoup (not a misspelling), meatballs, ham bbq's, onion potatoes, salad, cranberry relish, and various chips, pretzels and crackers. There was also cookies and Carrie Lyn's chocolate mousse pie! I was fine with him not eating, but my husband broke down. He made a peanut butter and jelly for SJ.

After dinner, the adults and kids started playing games. My husband and I participated in Pop 5, which is a Cranium game. Bob and SJ participated in Tetris Link. They were both very fun games. Some people were also playing Connect 4. (We have that game at our house, but it doesn't get touched. Isn't funny how appealing something is at someone else's house!) We played games the remainder of the night, as well as caught up with each other.

SJ brought his knock-knock joke book. He was reading these out loud to the adults and they were good sports about it. Then, he broke out the You Might Be a Redneck game and began asking the adults those questions. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, but after a while I asked SJ to stop. (He tends to get loud and doesn't get the social clues that people have had enough.) We stayed until after 11 p.m. and then headed home.

On the way home, my husband told me not to worry about SJ going on too long with the jokes. He said his friends don't mind and they are very proud that he is interacting. I know he is right, but sometimes as the mom I don't want SJ to be bothering people too much. I sometimes forget that we aren't the only ones who love him. I am very thankful that we have such supportive family and friends. If you are one of them and are reading this, know that your caring warms my heart!