We planned to eat at Applebee’s for dinner last Thursday for Veteran’s Day.
But after spending the morning out visiting Jamestown Settlement, we decided that dinner out would be a bit too much for the kids.
Since I hadn’t planned anything for dinner, I was racking my brain trying to decide on what we should have.
My husband mentioned that he would really like to have crackers, sausage, and cheese.
It doesn’t take much to please him, so I was happy to oblige and we stopped by the grocery store on our way home.
When I got back in the car with my purchase of a simple party tray containing the requested foods, I told the kids that we were having a party for dinner.
A family party for Veteran’s Day.
I explained to them that it was a special holiday to celebrate and thank veterans and that their daddy was a veteran because he has been to Iraq.
MC was sure to remind me that he’s been there twice.
When they asked if they could invite friends to our party, I told them that it would not be polite on such short notice, but that they could bring their favorite baby dolls.
MC was bringing Zoe, EA was bringing Marco, who is really like a fifth child to us, and Will piped up that he wanted to bring Elmo.
I didn’t realize just how excited they all were at the prospect of having a party until we got home. EA immediately went upstairs to change Marco into a party dress. Then she began talking about decorating the sunroom for our party.
Keith and I looked at each other in amazement of how such a simple idea sparked such excitement and we both spring into action to make this a special event.
Keith began helping EA and MC with party decorations and making party hats for everyone.
I began making snacks and sitting out the food for our party.
When all the decorations (pictures cut out of magazines were up), the food was placed on the coffee table, and we were all donning our new party hats, our simple family party began.
The kids sat around the coffee table sipping milk and nibbling on crackers, cheese, pepperoni slices, snack cakes, and chex mix.
Keith sat in the corner recliner enjoying watching the kids and remarking on how his request for crackers and cheese for dinner turned into a full-fledged party.
And my heart was full as I fed Jenny her baby food and watched my family enjoy this precious time together!
At the close of our party, I read a bedtime story, Polly’s Pink Pajamas.
I could not have asked for a better ending to the day.
It is so important that we take time to enjoy simple moments with our families. Calling our seemingly pathetic dinner of crackers and cheese a party turned into a special moment for our family.
The kind of moment that memories are made of.
Aria says
that is wonderful, monica! i am certainly learning about flexibility!
aria
http://growing3godlygirlz.blogspot.com
sarah k says
our girls love picnics – and usually they want to picnic when supper is soup or something, but we’ll still take it out to the back yard and spread out a blanket. What a lovely post!
LifeAtTheCircus says
These really are the moments you will all look back on and treasure. Love making the ordinary extraordinary…all in how you present it. Nicely done!!
And I know it is belated but Happy Vet Day and a big thank you to your family, so glad you could celebrate together.
Penny says
What a great day!!! Thanks for sharing with us these precious family moments!!
Stopping in from iFellowship! I hope you’ve had a wonderful Wednesday!
FishMama says
So sweet! Thank you for sharing your husband with our country!