I do not like to grow older every year. I dread the coming of another birthday because with it comes more wrinkles and the admission that I am not spring chicken anymore. It also reminds that time keeps flying by, no matter how badly I want to slow it down. This is why I instituted the ritual of throwing a Christmas/birthday party at our house every year. My philosophy is this: getting older is a lot more fun when I have a party to go to. This year was no exception!
Saturday night we had 24 of our closest friends come over to our house to celebrate and have a good time together. Thankfully, I know how to throw a low maintenance party and that has plenty of snacks, alcohol and friends. The food table was full of hummus, veggies, cheese and crackers, olives, mixed nuts, and pigs in a blanket (the latest food addition that was a huge success). I typically buy only 6 bottles of wine because I know that nearly everyone that walks in the door will bringing a bottle of wine with them. It is almost guaranteed that I will have more wine left over than I started with….not a bad thing to have happen.
It has also become a ritual to play the charades game that we played last year. It is a hilarious game that involves everyone at the party, and you have to pay attention in order to do well. Sidney is the designated game master. Here is Megan acting out one of the names she drew out of the hat….
Last year I forgot to take pictures so this time I took some early in the night before I forgot.
This is Damian and Mandy DiFilippo and Josh and Kristee Bostick. Mandy finally made it to a party. Kristee was thoughtful enough to bring a bottle of the party’s favorite vodka (another tradition).
Mandy, Me and Kristee ….
Stephanie, Mackenzie, Sidney and me…
Me, Patty and Kristee have been friends for over ten years. They were some the first girls that I met in Charlotte. (We got photo-bombed by Jerry but I cut him out. haha)
Michelle and Joe McCready. I am lucky that they even showed up….she is over due with baby number one.
I felt very loved and joyful Saturday night. I had fun and celebrated with my friends from many different circles: church, neighborhood, school, and the gym. Sidney’s comment was, “Wow, you guys know a lot of people.” We do, and I love everyone one of them and am so glad that they took the time to come and enjoy the night with us. Until next year….