We are not New Years Eve people. My New Years celebrations have ranged from disastrous to dangerous to just depressing. So tonight, even though it is only Midnight in the Midwest and not here yet, I can say it has been one of our best. We started the party early with a theater full of Dopps. Twelve kids (Xanthe was at Esmae's birthday) and three adults equals a lot of popcorn and drinks. Of course something is going to spill and someone is going to have to go to the bathroom, but who cares? Scott, Jeff and I used the "sitting behind the kids" trick and didn't have any problems. Lexie got sucked into Izzy's drama a little bit. Next time we'll put Izzy in the front row alone. Ha ha. Just kidding, Jen! We'll let Xanthe sit with her.
Later, a friend of mine brought me a very unique and exquisite gift. I only know this woman because she bought a cello from me, but I feel like we've been friends forever. Heather made this necklace with all my kids' names engraved on it! Isn't it beautiful?! She mentioned that she works with a non-profit for which she and her kids have been driving up and down the Wasatch Front today, collecting last-minute 2009 donations. When she told me about the organization, greeneyesinafrica.org, I knew we had a chance do do something special for New Years'. Our family got on their website, learned a little bit about Cameroon, where their orphanage is, and made a small donation. It was an awesome way to kick off our night. Thank you, Heather!
Throughout the night every hour, we looked at the time zone map to see where people were celebrating the new year. In between we played Cadoo (torture!) and Sardines (hide-and-seek, but more hilarious). Xanthe went to bed right after Rio de Janiero celebrated. Trajan texted me how to say happy new year in Portuguese, "Feliz Ano Novo," and Xanthe went out with that. Araceli went to bed after midnight in Bermuda, but not without some dramatic research. My grandfather's cousin Clayton Jones went down with a Navy ship, the USS Cyclops, in the Bermuda Triangle in 1918. The ship was never found. This information from Bill led to the girls researching the Bermuda triangle online. Araceli was scared that we might accidentally go to the Bermuda triangle and disappear. I promised her that would not happen and kissed her goodnight.
Freestone gave up at 9:30, which was midnight in Venezuela. Why are they on a half-hour schedule? Maybe we'll find out next New Years'. It looks like I've lost the rest of the crew to Scott's new theater in the basement. It's like our own little Bermuda Triangle. It sucks you in and you disappear!
Happy New Year!!
6 comments:
Wow! What a great gift- I love the necklace!
And it sounds like your evening was par for the course around here :)
Happy New Year!
Kim Brown
That necklace is beautiful! What a gift! You also gave us a gift yesterday. Thanks for taking our kids to the movie. Popcorn too! Now I really owe you.
Sardines is hilarious. I think Ryan and I end up liking the game more than the kids. Every round, someone is really creative and it takes loads of time to find them.
I'm glad you guys had a fun night. See you today.
We aren't New Years people either. I honestly think it is sort of a party for drinkers, therefore not our thing. Our kids don't even know staying up is an option.
I LOVE that necklace! Does she sell them? Where? I am still sad I missed lunch. Did you all have fun without me? I am there next week no matter what! Is is my turn?
Happy New Year!
P.S. Does this mean you found your camera?
What an exquisite necklace. Is it hand engraved, stamped, what? Whatever, it's very impressive.
Love the necklace! Great friend you have. Sounds like you had an awesome NEw YEars. We were too tired to do much, but wait and hope the kids went and came home at a reasonable time....which they didn't!
Happy New Yeart my friend!!!
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