Wednesday, December 06, 2006

December deadlines

Why do I find myself surprised by the whirlwind of activity each year in December. Thanksgiving seems so relaxed (well, a bit busy this year) and soothing and then WHAM December hits with a bang. It's not all about the Santa thing either. As school winds down before the break it seems like every complex project comes due with requirements from craft stores and late night finales cheering Jordan to the finish line of a research paper or biography. Choral concert practices have been extended and Drama club performances happen. I'm not even going to begin to list the additional things like birthday parties and girl scout meetings that are "normal". It's funny...January is the begining of the year, but months like August and December are beginning to mark more and more of my milestones with the kid's school experiences.

There's a little secret we are keeping from the kids right now. We made the decision to attend Dave's East Coast Company Holiday party in Washington D.C. and so we are off for a little trip right before school ends. (It's my final attempt for the parent of the year award...ripping my kids out of school for a few days in December for a family trip with some educational value. I'm quite sure the school system will deem this trip unexcused, but I really don't care.) We are going to drive up (should I wave as I go past Dori?) and then stay in Maryland for the first few days. Jordan will get to visit with her best friend and former neighbor Alex...and she will feel happy about this. Even now I hear her say that she hasn't found another friend like her in Georgia. Good friends are special, even when you are young. Dave and I will get to celebrate the Holiday party like real adults in the hotel without kids. Our three will be staying with their old babysitters who are now college age and home from University. I'm quite sure they won't miss us that night. We got my dress this weekend after some miracle kid wrangling by Dave. We also found him an outfit addition to his black suit which will dress it up a bit. I think I'll have a handsome date. We plan on visiting the Air and Space Museum later that weekend and then a full day of sightseeing including a congressional tour on Monday. It's a bit like an extended weekend, but I'm looking forward to it.

First I have to survive the choral concert tomorrow night.

6 comments:

impromptublogger said...

Let me know if you can get together - I'd love to have a meet-up. Possibly with Ang too!

---Emily

Ann said...

Hi Emily,

I was planning on sending an email today. Take a look at your schedule for dinner on Monday, December 18th.

Ann

Anonymous said...

Hi Ann, Sounds like you guys are busy. Have fun. You must have a very detailed schedule for December.

Caroline

Anonymous said...

Ann,
I hope you all have a wonderful trip to Maryland/D.C. It sounds like the perfect mix of family and adult time. We think of you all when we think of Maryland. I wish we could be there with you...too bad we're a little far for a road trip from Texas.
Enjoy!
Julie K.

Ann said...

Julie K.,

Any chance you are going to be in NC as we go through or will you be coming through Atlanta?

Anonymous said...

Ann,
We're headed west to Phoenix for Christmas with Ryan's family this year so, sadly, we'll be farther away from Atlanta and NC. We'll definitely call you if we ever make that 20 hour drive again!
Julie K.