expectations

Last night my mom, maddy & i were discussing my recent blog posting, specifically the one about decorating with my hubby. mom & i (who are exactly the same) both agreed that sometimes we try too hard to make the memories and force the occasion. we both have high expectations for beautiful evenings, and whole outlines formulated in our minds, but unfortunately.... in reality... they rarely turn out that way (especially with our family).

and maddy (who is more spontaneous and less anal than both of us) blurts out, in her regular don't-hold-anything-back-and-tell-the-truth-even-when-it-hurts mannerism, "remember that on friday mom!!"

what is friday you may ask?

Friday is family shopping. we do it every year. all 7, no wait, 8, actually it think it's 10 this year. bundle up, hit the mall, and have supper out together.

and every year mom has a lovely expectation of laughing, organization, familial love, organization, & calmness.

and it never, i mean never EVER happens.

if you don't believe me - here is last year's
2009 Sjaarda Shopping Scenario

we get to the mall (after a 1hr drive in 2 different vehicles, which probaly both contained a whole host of different arguments on the way up). and it begins ....
mom: is explaining to everyone where to meet at what time and making sure that people that need her help stay with her. which subsequently gets her frustrated and she just gives up
kirsten: takes charge on her behalf and starts ordering everyone around trying to help mom (... as always)
maddy: is in one of her super hyper modes and bothering quintin (this involves punching - or the total opposite- hanging on him with numerous hugs)
dad: is sitting on a bench ...... already
dave: starts walking away - sick of the arguing (which causes kirsten to argue with him about how he needs to be more supportive)
austin: stands aloof and walks away
tyson: laughs and adds rude jokes (ie. calling kirsten mother) to make things worse
&
quintin: looks kind of like a lost puppy and then copies whichever brother is his favourite at the moment (and probably yells at maddy)

... and then.....

it all implodes. the boys leave (only to return to sit on a bench 5 minutes later, outside the girl's first store, claiming they are bored and done shopping) and the girls head the other way

nevertheless, somewhere between the arguing and the wandering around to find eachother somewhat later than the designated time - we have.... success!! boys are goaded into finally making a decision about what to buy. kirsten & dave are back on friendly terms. and dad is proud of his huge, monumental 1 gift that he is always soo proud of.

what will this year look like?

probably a lot the same.

and while this year my expecations are more in line with reality...

i wouldn't have it any. other. way.