Twenty More Minutes

“Anyone can do it when all the pieces fall into place”. 

This, I believe, is one of the most often heard “dadisms” that slip from my Dad’s mouth.  In case you are unsure, a dadism is a “little nugget of wisdom with a tiny hint of lecture balled up into one little phrase“.  If you’ve been here very long, you know that my Dad has a lot of them.  This particular phrase was one that I heard this weekend.

But let’s back up a bit first. . .

After leaving  my Dad’s house on Christmas day,  I picked up the phone to call my sister.  I knew her car was headed in the opposite direction from ours, which often leaves me feeling a bit anxious to get another gathering date on the calender.  “How about we go home and make Dad dinner the weekend of his birthday?”  Plans came together quickly and we counted the days down until we would gather again. 

The big birthday dinner was over the weekend and well. . . if anyone can do it when all the pieces fall into place. . . we aren’t just anyone.

Since I’m such a thoughtful daughter I decided to bring two sick kids and my sick self to my Dad’s for the weekend.  I’m all about spreading the love.  Despite the sicknesses that loomed, it truly was an enjoyable weekend.  What could be better than a PJ day at Poppy’s house?

The afternoon was spent just laying low and hanging out together.  Birthday cards were made and delivered. . .

My Dad captivated Charlie and Chanelle with his incredible magic tricks. . .

Look at the amazement in their eyes. . .

And food was sampled as it was prepared. . .

Speaking of food. . . My sister and I planned a simpler menu that the one we planned last year.  Beer can chicken, roasted veggies, bruschetta, and dessert.  Pretty simple, eh?  We figured we would eat around 5:30 or 6, giving us plenty of time to relax and chill out for the rest of the evening. 

Meal prep began around 3 o’clock.  All was going very smooth and so we just waited. . .

And we waited. . .

And we waited. . .

Darkness began to take over the light and someone said, about 20 more minutes. . .

Meadow entertained while we waited some more and again someone said, it should be just about 20 minutes now. . .

About two hours later the darkness was wooing the kids.  Charlie was the first to speak up. . . can we just go to bed? 

It seems that grilling chicken on the grill in freezing cold temperatures tends to slow the process down a bit whole lot.  Chad was certain that his stomach was eating itself, Charlie finally decided to skip dinner and go to bed, Chanelle ate a lunchable and quickly followed suit. All of this happened while my Dad finished cooking his own birthday dinner. . .

My sister and I?  Look for us to win the Daughter’s of the Year award, for sure. 

Dinner was finally served (by my Dad) at about a quarter ’til nine and that’s when we heard it. . . anyone can do it when all the pieces fall into place.

I think the point my Dad is always trying to make is that obstacles don’t really matter. . . finding your way through them is what matters.  I think he might be on to something.  (Just don’t tell him I said that.) 

It really was a great weekend.  The kids woke up the next morning healthy and in good spirits. . .

. . . and ready to have chicken for breakfast. . .

What can I say?  This is just how we roll. 

Have a great day!