Winter Celebration

Tonite we are preparing for M's school Winter Celebration. This was supposed to happen on December 18th - Mom had gotten the night off work for it, the in-laws had planned their arrival in time to go to it, and our favorite neighbors had booked time out of their schedule to attend with us. HOWEVER, here it is, January 22 instead...the in-laws are on their way to Florida for their annual fishing trip, Mom is working a 2-11 shift, and our favorite neighbors have an important conference call with an attorney to attend to. SO - D, M and I shall go to the Winter Celebration.

As I was waiting to bring M home from school today, I was chatting with another mother about this whole thing. Sure, I understand that the kids worked hard...IN DECEMBER...to prepare for this celebration. BUT - doesn't this seem a little late to be doing a Winter Celebration? I'm hoping that they've taken "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" out of the program, and other such songs, but it still seems a little late in the game to be doing this. Wouldn't it be a better choice to just cancel and call it good?

My friend whom I was talking to has 2 children - both of whom have swimming today, then her daughter has dance while her son (who is in M's class) has this celebration tonite. Her husband is currently out of town on business, and she is not feeling well herself. She is going to have to drop and dash her daughter early, possibly picking her up late so she can be there for her son. AND, as she's telling me what her afternoon schedule looks like with all this, her son is upset that he won't get any time to "rest" in between all the activities.

Is this really the best choice for the kids?

M is excited about it, but she's having to make a choice between karate class and getting dolled up for the celebration (3 guesses which she picked, and the first 2 don't count...). With the 5:15 arrival time, we could do karate, but would have to possibly bow out early to change and rush to the celebration, but no hair or make-up time. OR, we could come home, relax, get gussied up, and go straight to the celebration with no karate. SO - we're at home right now. She's watching a show, then we are going to do her reading homework, get gussied up and head on out for the celebration.

The good news? Rather than the "traditional" gingerbread and cider social after the celebration, they chose to go with finger foods and juice. THANK GOODNESS! None of us are fans of gingerbread in any way, shape, or form, let alone in the multiple ways, shapes, and forms that traditionally show up at this event. Still, we'll probably be heading out after a few obligatory visitings to grab some dinner and head home.

As long as the kids are happy, right????