New Years Eve Let-down

I am not a huge fan of New Year's Eve. I have found that they generally don't live up to whatever expectations you might have. There is the idea that how you ring in the New Year is how that year will be. Thankfully I don't think there is much merit to this theory. We usually spend New Years Eve with my parents and the big kids. This year they went tubing in the mountains so we were on our own. I made dinner reservations at PF Chang's for 5 o'clock for the four of us. We had a rough day with the girls and almost bagged it. (Probably should have.)

The girls were totally excited to go. I packed a bag full of snacks and crafts and fun stuff to do. The restaurant was packed and we ended up at a fairly small table. (Strike one and two.) It was also very loud. (Strike three.) Our server was slow as molasses and didn't get the idea that tables with small children probably want to move fairly quickly. It was a disaster. Abby was flappy and spinny and wild. Grace was uncooperative and loud. Every noise, smell and sight was setting her off. After TWO HOURS we were done and I was ready to cry.

We came home and I decided to try to salvage the rest of the night. So we tried to play with our new Kinect for X Box. Grace was into it but Abby was trying to throw balls at the TV so that was that. Then we tried to watch the Sound of Music and that too was a disaster. We finally put the kids to bed (while yelling at them). I felt like crap about the whole thing.

And here I am feeling like another New Year will be rang in feeling crummy and down in the dumps. Hopefully it is not a sign of things to come...