I just have two words for you: pomegranate martini. Woohoo! This is my new favorite Thanksgiving tradition, but I must say all of Thanksgiving went well.

Well, the walk in the arboretum was cancelled. The snow, the driving advisory, the icy side streets kind of called for a plan revision. Instead we walked to the zoo. It didn't have quite the same "in the wilderness" feel, but we did get to see penguins and bears and ride the carousel. There were 11 of us, enough for a few snow ball fights. I made two very smart decisions--I brought the stroller even though David is almost five, and I brought lunch for everyone. Meltdowns averted.

We all like dressing up for special occasions, so the rest of the afternoon was devoted to convincing David clip-on ties had to go under button down shirts and besides, you cannot wear a vest without a shirt.

I did not bring separate food for my kids. That means there was enough that they could and would eat. Rose's dinner: crackers and cheese, turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, carrot souffle, chocolate mouse pie. David's dinner: crackers and cheese, carrot souffle, chocolate mouse pie, ice cream. John, by the way, made the carrot souffle and the chocolate mouse pie, and they rocked.

The kids are getting so much easier at occasions like this and besides, three adults had planned activities for them. So first, my mom had them write everyone's name on place cards she had made. Then my sister's partner's sister (why doesn't English have a better relative naming system) had them making crayons. And we ended the night playing Pictionary that my sister's mother-in-law had organized.

We managed to get the kids home and in bed before the sugar crash. Excellent.