I just realized that I never wrote the final part of my wedding recap. The Reception.
I was really looking forward to the reception or "The Party" as I told the kids. I knew we would have fun. I promised dancing. I promised cake. I know now that going to receptions with kids is completely different. Priorities are different. Timing is different. There is a lot of waiting around at receptions. Receptions are still about the bride and groom, not the guest. Without kids, waiting is no big deal. Drinking, dancing and having fun.
About 10 years ago, Charlie and I went to a wedding with a friend of ours. He had plans to go out after the reception. There was a lot of waiting around. Our friend said "They better get this show on the road. I have places to be." To this day, that is one of our favorite lines. Wedding receptions are not about the guests. The bride and groom didn't care about our friends plans for later. There were many times during this wedding reception that I wanted to say "They better get this show on the road. I need to get my kids home!" But after mocking our friend for so many years, I couldn't say the same thing. :)
The reception started fine. There was the waiting outside the dining room with drinks and hor derves. Of course my kids didn't want any of it. I always bring a bowl of cereal or snacks in the kids bag so we were covered. The reception was at a golf course so they went outside for a bit. Laci spilled her orange juice and I was hoping that would be the only catastrophe. I was wrong. I was in the lobby chatting with the bride's mother when I turned and the bag knocked over a glass frame on an easel! I was mortified. The worse part was that I couldn't even blame the kids. It was my fault.
By 7:30 we were finally in the dining room. Fortunately, at our table was just the 4 of us and some good friends of ours. They were wise to serve the kids first - fruit, chicken fingers and fries. During the dinner, we were good to go. But as we all know, there is a lot of waiting at receptions. I promised the kids dancing and cake. It was getting close to 9 and we had had neither. "They better get this show on the road!" The kids were getting antsy. We were taking trips to the bathroom and hanging out in the lobby. There were family pictures, toasts, bouquets to be throw. This wedding was not about us and the bride and groom needs to enjoy every minute of it. But by 9:30 after the special dances were done, it was finally time to get down and boogie. Laci was ready. Calvin was about to fall over he was so tired. We only stayed for little longer but Laci got to dance a few dances. I made Calvin dance - I had to hold him because he was too tired to stand. And by 10:00 we were out of there. Pajamas were put on in the car and the kids were asleep by the time we were out of the parking lot. All in all, it was a great reception. We had a wonderful time. I am very happy for the bride and groom and wish them lots of happiness.
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