November Three Reasons to be Thankful

Thanksgiving was always a very important holiday in my family when I was growing up. In the past seven years, three of my granddaughters were born making November an even more special month. Ariana, the oldest grandchild and granddaughter was born on November 14, 2015. Hannah, named after my mother, was born on November 16, 2017 and Ellie was born on November 18, 2019. Three unique granddaughters, daughters of three of my adult children and their spouses. My son Tom and Mariela are Ariana’s parents. My son John and his wife Georgette are Hannah’s parents. Katie, my daughter, and Dan, her husband are the parents of Ellie. These granddaughters and cousins enjoy spending time together and what better time than their birthday month!

This year my daughter Marianne drove her son Michael and I and her brother Michael up to Arlington to join in the fun of an Escape Room for Ariana’s birthday on Saturday, November 12th. We met Ari, Tom and his fiancée Marissa and her daughter Camilla at the Escape Room where we had to solve clues to exit the room. This experience proved to be a little too intense for the younger crowd since we passed from a dining room scene to another room with blood spattered walls. Marianne and Michael were first to leave and a short while later Camilla wanted to exit. Finally, Ari came out of the room saying she was tired of standing for so long. With about seven minutes out of sixty left, Tom, Marissa and Michael solved the final clue and escaped from the room.

Then it was back to Tom’s apartment complex for pizza, playground, pin the tail on the donkey and a pinata. Ari’s friends from the apartment and her cousins Nora and Hannah and their parents joined in on the fun. The weather was perfect for the outdoor party and everyone had a great time. Uncle Mike made a special ice cream cake for Ari and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” while she made a wish and blew out the candles.

Next up, we celebrated Ellie’s 3rd birthday at Sky Zone in White Plains, MD on Sunday, November 20th at 3:30. Sky Zone is a trampoline park and Ellie’s grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins were invited as well as children from her day care group from Ms. Kay’s and friends of her Mom and their children. There was a whole lot of bouncing going on, and all the children had a great time. Then, it was back to a party room for pizza and drinks. This time, Ellie’s friends sang “Happy Birthday” to her while she made a wish and blew out the candles on an Oreo cake and shared some sugar cookies I had made. After the sugar rush, some of the children started doing laps around the two long tables in the room.

Finally, it was back to my home for dinner for the adults, Ellie’s mom and dad, and John, Georgette, Michael, Marianne. While the adults had dinner, the cousins played with each other. Afterwards, Hannah was the special guest for her birthday and we lit candles on the delicious strawberry filled cake roll that Uncle Mike had created for Hannah. Once again, we all sang “Happy Birthday” while Hannah made a wish and blew out her candles. She opened her presents and as it was getting late on the Sunday night, everyone tiredly said their goodnights to each other.

Our next big get together will be this Thursday, November 24th, Thanksgiving. There will be twelve adults and six children present, so it will be another great family experience. The cousins really enjoy one another’s company as well as my adult children and their spouses/friends. This year we will have a designated children’s table for the first time, because we have maxed out of spaces at the two tables that extend from the dining room into the living room. Everyone will be bringing side dishes so this Thanksgiving will be easier. As my family is ever more expanding, I have so many reasons to be thankful! Happy Thanksgiving!