Final Party of the Season

Tonight was our cousin Christmas dinner. It was at our house this year and is my final party I have to cook for. I made a big vegetable lasagna last week in preparation and was thankful I did that in advance so I only had to make Chicken Piccata and a big salad tonight.

Last night we discovered that Shay had a hurt toe nail. First thing this morning we called the vet and texted a photo. The word came back that she needed to go in to see the Doctor. She had split the nail all the way down to the quick, which was starting to get infected and it had to be removed. Russ and Carter had to leave her there while they did the procedure. What came home was a very drugged up baby, with a cone and a wrapped foot, which Russ called her flat tire.

Since she was so out of it we also put her in a diaper. Oh the indignity of the whole thing. She has been slow moving, non-eating and drinking little bit of a thing all day and night. Even when my cousins came she just kind of hung back, not her normal welcoming self.

In spite of Shay’s situation we had a fabulous party with my Mom, Aunt Janie, Cousin Leigh and her husband Peter and girls, Eva and Emerson, Cousin Sarah, her husband Mark and their kids, Sam and Jane.

Everyone is of the age that they are interesting and are doing exciting things. When it came time for dinner we all fit around the dining room table. The highlight of the dinner was the dessert auction. Aunt Janie had brought individual tarts of three types, fruit, lemon and chocolate. So I offered them one at a time and it worked out perfectly that everyone got the kind they wanted. The fun part was every time I said, “Who wants a fruit one?” And someone would raise their hand, everyone clapped as if the hand-raiser had won the tart.

We all agreed that having this cousin’s dinner after Christmas is perfect because everyone is home and it is after all other events are over so it is less stressful. I just love my cousins and am glad Carter loves them too.

Tonight I think Shay will sleep through the night as she appears to still be drugged up. I hope tomorrow she feels a little better.