Mexican Food and Other Traditions

We had our last Christmas party of the season on Sunday night.  Some families came over to enjoy the fellowship and some Mexican food.

I’m all about Mexican food.  Growing up we ate it at least twice a week.  It’s a part of me.  Being a white, middle-class American I don’t have much heritage to speak of, so I take what I can get.  I went to the big city and bought some tamales.  Boy I love tamales!  I ate two on the way home….just peeled back the corn husk and ate it like a banana.  Oh baby, that’s what I’m talking about.

Our friends brought spinach enchiladas, Mexican rice, King Ranch Chicken and a bean casserole.  I’m telling you, it was heaven.  After we stuffed ourselves, we built a fire and made s’mores.  As if Mexican food wasn’t enough to put me in a happy coma, the s’mores were over the top.

I can see looking back over this post that I am only talking about the food.  The people were pretty great too.  Obviously I need to get my priorities straight.  People first, then food.  My no carb diet has me a little off.  Letting myself have some party food has made me lose my sense of what’s important.  Wow.  This blog is like my therapy.  My name is Lisa and I’m a food-aholic.

After our party the older kids and I went to another party, where I didn’t eat any food at all.  Maybe there is hope for me yet.  I just enjoyed seeing old friends and listening to the young people sing carols around the piano.  It was really nice.  It reminded me that I don’t have to be the one hosting the party every time.  Sometimes I can let other people have the party and I just go and look pretty.  Although looking pretty is a burden in itself.  Thank goodness for my adorable haircut.

I spent Monday afternoon wrapping the kids’ “secret buddy gifts”.  The 9 kids draw names and no one knows who got who.  It’s something we started a long time ago and now it’s tradition.  Since I take them shopping separately, it takes the whole month to finish.  Once all of the secret buddy gifts are purchased, I lock myself in my room wrapping it all while Levi knocks on the door and begs to come in.  Good times.

Once the gifts go under the tree it begins the traditional, shake each gift to its death and try to guess what everyone got.  Again, Levi was begging.  At 3 he doesn’t completely understand the notion that he has to wait to open his present.  Poor guy, this day has been rough on him.  In addition to Mom being locked in her room and not getting a present, it was Jacob’s birthday.  Levi kept wandering around saying it was also his birthday and he needed to wear the birthday hat.  Jacob finally gave it to him and we all gave in and told Levi happy birthday.  I’d say, “Levi, happy birthday.  How old are you?”  to which he’d reply, “I’m 20.”  Or sometimes he was 11 or 16.

So let’s go over this again….Mexican food, s’mores, parties, haircuts and a sad three year old.

Obviously you read this blog for the wisdom and insight.