On the 8th Day of Christmas

I made my true loves do another craft.

Oh for heaven's sake.
Grace found the marker more interesting to color her mouth and fingers with
instead of the paper.

Beckham deciding the pen method would work best for him.

Cut Beckham, see all his perfect curls?

Annika, determined to use the scissor methond.

Hannah, can't do anything without posing!

Beckham and his stellar tree.

Isabel and Annika with their finished products.

This is Tommy, Amy and Barrett's second child with Aunt Gaye.

This is my Uncle Barry with his first Grand baby.
His name sake, Damon Barrett the 5th.

Amy and Barrett(this is Barry's oldest).
They traveled from Delaware

Katelyn & Griffen traveled from Atlanta, GA, Quinn and Tanner
3 of my Uncle Barry's boys

Today was another craft activity. I saw these trees at Brockbank Elementary. I thought they looked simple and festive. I prepped that morning by cutting all the strips of paper. I tested one of the strips out by curling it with scissors. The same technique you use when curling ribbon for packages. I thought to myself, "Sweet. I didn't need any directions." After explaining the craft to the kids they went for it. I quickly realized that curling the paper with scissors was a little to advanced for my bunch. I never was one to let my kids have free time with the crafts. It always was to messy and too much to clean up. As a result we are a little disabled in the crafting department. I had two meltdowns. One decided not to even finish the craft and sulked in the living room with the animals(Jaren, crafts are never his favorite things to do). The other one complained her way through it, determined to not let the tree get the best of her (Isabel, can you imagine it?). Seeing that the scissors weren't cutting it, Hannah whipped out a pencil and decided to wrap the strips of paper around it. It had the same effect. Beckham calming watched everyone else and accomplished to wrap almost all his pieces on his own. I was amazed at his patience and diligence. He did a tremendous job. Annika stuck with the scissor method and slowly made her tree. I am pleased with how the trees turned out. It was a lot of fun after finally figuring out the best route for each child.

Later on in the evening, after dinner we drove to Springville for the Annual Edward's Party. This is one of those painful family parties that has to happen each year. You know it's going to happen so you gear yourself up for what ever akwardness, or strange things that might be said or done. Last year was a lot of fun and went well, I thought. This year it was graciously put on by Aunt Gaye. Otherwise, it just wasn't going to happen. The date and time kept changing to accomodate people's schedules. Long story made short, there was a lot more drama this year, more then I've ever witnessed in person. Barry and his family arrived shortly after "the scene" and had no clue what just happened. All of Barry's kids were there with their spouses. I had a wonderful time talking with Katelyn, Griffen's wife, whom I'd never met before. And with Amy, who is Barrett's wife. I know, I know, none of the names or people have any signifigance to anyone who reads this blog except for my family.

The reason I am recording this is for my own benefit. You can't choose who your family is. You have no control over who they marry. After this evening I realized the petty bickering and arguing just isn't worth it. It's all water under the bridge. So what ever hard feelings I have been harboring towards anyone in my own family, I'm going to let go of. Plain and simple, it's just not worth the heart ache. People are human and not perfect. We all say and do things that are imperfect. I am so guilty of this and should be more willing to let others imperfections go. This is all easier said then done. I'm sure it will be difficult. After witnessing what went on this evening, I must do better.