Turkey day, no wait...

I've mentioned the dilemma with family gatherings.  We live near my husband's family, but mine is far enough away holiday gatherings just don't happen.

And with our boys' needs, food has to be prepared to accommodate that as well.

In years past I've sent my husband over to spend time with his family after we've done our things here.  Sometimes I've sent the older boys with him, depending on how they've been doing at the time.

I cut myself off this photo, because you could only see half my face anyway. ;)

This year I did it a little different, and I wish I could say it had worked... it started out seeming to.

I started cooking earlier in the morning than I have in the past.  

It helps to use simple foods that the boys and their daddy love.  Ham (thanks to his boss :) cooked with fresh pineapple (from our bountiful basket) and honey, mashed potatoes with skin on and cheddar cheese and butter and sour cream, and creamed corn.  For dessert we had what daddy asked for, brownies with ice cream and hot fudge.  Nothing that is difficult to eat and doesn't have things Damon is allergic to... he's allergic to a lot.  Poor lil guy is even allergic to mayo now!!!

While I was cooking, I sent daddy with Aidan over to see his family.  Mornings are the best time for Aidan to interact socially.

We were eating at about 11am.

Then they watched a movie while I cleaned up... fortunately it was a relatively easy clean up because I planned (how did I manage that?)

Then after dessert and relaxing a bit, I sent daddy over with Jace.

Jace rode Pal, his grandpa Lear's horse.  And played some games on somebody's ipad... I'm assuming his aunt DeeDee's.

Aidan tried getting to know his grandpa's new dog.  A bolonoodle, mix of bolognese and poodle.

They are supposed to be one of the most hypo-allergic dogs out there.

I was really skeptical, and was afraid he'd spent too much on such a risk... they aren't cheap.

But wow, no hives!!!

Aidan didn't really like Rusty, because he wouldn't stop licking him and Aidan was afraid of the licking, because of the hives he's always gotten... poor lil guy. :(  I hope he'll warm up to him.  I explained that puppies are just hyper and that Rusty will mellow with age.  I'm not sure it helped. :/
Jace on the other hand, is fine with annoying puppy behavior.  He's just been allergic like Aidan.. no hives for Jace from Rusty either.

Unfortunately, Damon woke Aidan up early with screaming this morning.  This meant for a long hard day for him.  I'm not sure if it really made that much of a difference or not, but today was too much for Aidan from everything going on, and by the time daddy and Jace got back, both Aidan and Jace were not doing well at all.  Particularly Aidan.  By bedtime, it was SO bad.   Damon was the only one that was okay, and he's the one that stayed home.
Not what I'd hoped for.
So I got a smirk from Aidan and a vacant smile from Jace. :)