Thanksgiving Traditions and Birthdays

    Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Although I love getting together with family, enjoying a day of good food, and getting a break from the commercialism that surrounds so many holidays, Thanksgiving can get a little crazy for my family. The majority of my family, as well as my wife’s family, still lives in the Kansas City area and everyone wants to get together for the holiday. This means that my wife and kids get to “double-dip” each Thanksgiving. We are fortunate that my mother traditionally serves Thanksgiving “dinner” around 1:00 pm and my mother-in-law serves at 5:00 pm. The routine is to arrive at my parent’s house about eleven, so we can try to get my daughter a nap before all the cousins arrive. My wife also uses this time to help out in the kitchen and get the snacks out. Once the rest of the family arrives, everyone sits and visit until dinner is one the table. Everyone eats (although I promise myself every year that I will take it easy, I usually end up stuffing my face), the kids play with their eleven cousins, and the men usually toss the football around in the yard. 

    Everything is always a little rushed for my wife and I though because we have to be out the door by 3:00, 3:30 at the latest so we can get over for “round two” of Thanksgiving dinner at my in-laws. The routine is generally the same. We leave my parents house, drive to the in-laws, help around the kitchen, visit eat, and the kids play with their nine other cousins. 

    One of our newer Thanksgiving traditions involves my youngest son. He was born on November 26, 2001, which means his birthday is always close to Thanksgiving (this year it is actually on Thanksgiving). We generally celebrate his birthday with the families on Thanksgiving as the families are already together. In addition to cherry, apple, and pumpkin pie, we always bring a birthday cake to each of our Thanksgiving dinners and my son get to be the center of attention. 

    Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year, but it can get a little crazy. Between rushing between my parents and my in-laws houses, finding time for my daughter to catch a nap, and planning two different birthday parties, Thanksgiving is busy, stressful, and not the least bit relaxing. So why is it my favorite holiday? 

    I love birthday cake.