Like many of you, my family is traveling to be with a parent for the big weekend. This year, my family is taking it to a whole new level. In a few hours we will load down the minivan with luggage for six, food, four kids, three dogs, two parents and a partridge in a pear tree.
Just kidding about that last part.
And yes, you read that correctly, three dogs. Specifically, our two big black Great Dane/ coonhound / Labrador mixes. The third is a 5-pound chihuahua that can fit safely inside the center console. I'm not so worried about her.
It's going to be epic. Frankly, I'm not sure it will even work. It's never been done before with all of us in the van.
But once I get (or if I get) everybody crammed safely and securely inside that tiny minivan with the door latched and child window locks engaged so nobody can escape, we will literally drive over a bunch of rivers and through many a wood to grandmother's house.
For four hours.
I am super-pumped.
The dogs aren't even the scariest part of this voyage. It's how the humans will react under the stress. The 3-year old will need at least four potty breaks. The 9-year old will whine about being touched by brothers, sisters and dogs. The 7-year old will pester the 8-year old, who will take it out on the 9-year old. And all of that madness will quickly make its way up to the front seat with mom and dad, who will be deep in debate over the best way to fry the turkey and who has the most awesome mother-in-law.
We will surely break under the pressure.
No. We won't. We can do this.
This is what Thanksgiving is all about. Togetherness. In a minivan.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all.