goob

Labor Day.

Tonight my family will be going out to dinner to celebrate my birthday and my sister's. It's kind of funny to be going on a holiday, but it happens to be the only day that all of us are free.

Who is "all of us"? That would be my mom, my dad, my sister Carissa, my sister Tina (whose birthday was Sept 1st), her 14 month old daughter Jade, her boyfriend Jeremy, me (my birthday isn't til Sept 15th), and my boyfriend. Party of eight. That's a big crowd. About as big as we've ever had. It's a family tradition that we go out to eat as a family for every birthday. With 5 birthdays, that means a good number of meals out. Now, my family is fun on any day... but damn, you should see us in a restaurant! We've had everthing from sing-alongs to food fights, tapping on the walls to chasing away the people at the next table. When we have Moroccan, my mom gets up to dance with the belly dancers. We eat in bars, chain restaurants, taverns, family restaurants, and ethnic restaurants where the staff looks at us like we're the ones from another country. And we usually bring friends. Boyfriends or regular friends, they generally start off the meal very reserved but end up just as rowdy as the rest of us.

Sadly, we have had to put tradition on hold lately. My dad is out of work and my mom doesn't make much, so the days of "bring another friend!" have gone. In fact, we missed the last few birthdays entirely. So this year, because it's been so long, we're going out once to cover 2 birthdays. The boyfriends get to come, and I'm glad, cuz this is a part of the family you've GOT to experience. If you date one of the Krawchuk girls, you have to face the embarassment of public dining. Yay!

Hmmm... what else. Yesterday:
Barbecue at my Granny's house. At the last minute, my boyfriend discovered that his daughter would be back early... which meant she came to the barbecue with us. My family hadn't met her yet, and it was kind of nervous-making. Poor little girl was so shy in the beginning, but before long she had made friends with my cousin and the neighbor's kid, and there were no problems.

Still, it was a little strange for me being the grown-up to a bunch of little kids. I know I'm a grown-up, and I've got no problem with that. But it's become a new thing now that I'm in the parental type role rather than a babysitter type role. When did that happen? How did that happen?

I don't mind it so much. It's not so bad when you can give the kids back, you know. But then everyone at the bbq yesterday kept telling me how much Briana looks like me... she could be my daughter.

This was the first time I ever brought a boyfriend to a family party, and we came in family-style. I think the part that made me feel funny was that it felt so comfortable. I don't think I'm ready to be a mom... I keep telling myself, anyway. Then my instincts prove otherwise.

Whatever. I'm near 30 years old. I have a few years yet to decide. A few.

It's Makler's birthday today. I should give him a call.

EDIT:

I just bought my ticket to Anchorage for New Year's.
Dec 29- Jan 2nd I'll be with my Holly.

Yay!