With most of the family home for Thanksgiving in a whirlwind of travel, giggles, and family pranks, I didn’t have a whole lot of time to think. When we’re all together like that, it’s more of a react-and-apologize mode. Not in a bad way…it’s just that we’re all so goofy, quick-witted, and whatnot that we’re constantly interrupting each other. Of course, with 10-20 conversations going on at any one time, it’s no wonder.

But now that things have returned to what we consider normal for a couple of weeks, I had some time to think about some of the goings-on from that past long weekend. In that past, we’ve often sat around the table and gone over what we’re thankful for. Everyone knows it’s coming, so there are always great answers to the question. Unfortunately, this year didn’t really provide us the opportunity to do this en-masse, but the subject kept popping up, and the discussions often led us down that path.

This was also the first family holiday with the next generation of the Hectic Clan. Hectic Grandson we definitely the center of attention. It’s a wonder that he didn’t sleep all day today, having had so much stimulation throughout the weekend. While he did sleep a lot, I noticed some distinct changes in his behavior and development today. First off, he’s crawling like crazy. While he’s been Army Crawling for several months now, he definitely crossed the threshold to knee and hand crawling. Most of that is due to his youngest Aunt (Hectic-12) and her modeling of the behavior. I’m surprised she didn’t get out her volleyball kneepads to wear, since she seemed to spent most of the last four days on her hands and knees showing Little Man how to crawl. Obviously, her modeling worked, because he was working on it a lot today.

He’s also figured out how to pull himself up on things. Things like people. Especially people who are laying on the ground. He shoots on over, grabs anything handy (hair, clothing, fat rolls, etc.) and pulls himself up. He’s even gotten to the point where he can stand up. Not for very long, and he has to be supported by whatever he pulled himself up onto…but he’s standing. This was modeled and encouraged by Hectic-Mom (his grandma). She kept putting him into situations where the obvious thing to do was pull himself up on furniture. I was just as guilty, as I kept getting down on the floor and positioning myself where my hair/clothing/fat rolls were in a great position for him to climb on. And climb he did. It was another instance where our modeling and encouraging of behavior was successful.

Those two learned items got me to thinking about what else we modeled this weekend. The effort for everyone to be together was pretty Herculean. The meals are always an undertaking, but nothing that can’t be accomplished given some planning. With our new living arrangements, finding places for everybody to sleep was a bit of a chore…but we got it done. Most importantly, we were together as a family. There were very few instances where anybody went off to be by themselves. For the majority of the weekend, we were all together in one room.

It was loud. It was chaotic. The room was full of noise, and Hectic-Grandson could have been overwhelmed. I know that when we have visitors on the holidays, it’s pretty easy for them to nearly be drowned by the undertow and waves of our family. We’re a lot to handle, and taken in large doses we’re a pretty crazy bunch. But the Little Man seemed to take it all in. He was hugged, passed from person to person, and loved on constantly. Every meal brought a different face to sit with him and either feed him or distract him from eating. He was presented with all sorts of foods that the Pediatrician will freak out…if word ever gets out. My lips are sealed, though, so I think we’re safe.

Lots of time was spent telling stories. We recalled funny and poignant  moments from when the kids were younger. We talked about silly things that happened. We rediscovered memories that have laid dormant for years. Lots of time was spent on the floor, playing with building blocks where the older kids built up structures, and Hectic Grandson knocked them down. Then everybody would laugh. If the laughter didn’t come fast enough, he would look one of his playmates in the eye and then feign surprise that the blocks had fallen. Sometimes he’d had to do this twice, but eventually everybody was laughing and applauding his efforts at ensuring his proclivity for block-knock-outs was noticed and appreciated.

For 96 solids hours, our family modeled what we’re all about. We talked about all sorts of subjects. Everybody had their opportunity to get their thoughts into the conversation. Everyone’s input was considered valid. We discussed jobs, school, travel, life, food, entertainment, current events…all with equal ease. Valid questions were asked and answered. And through the far-reaching and wide-ranging discussions, family members flowed in and out of the conversations. We talked in a large group, or in many knots. From our youngest to my mother (in her 80’s) everyone’s opinions were valued.

We were just being the Hectic Clan without even thinking about it. We were expressing thoughts, challenging ideas, and having a great time. For our first-time observer, I’m sure it was obvious that we enjoy being together. And I’m convinced that if he could tell us, he’d confirm the fact that we’re an eclectic bunch, with tons to offer to each other. And to society. And most importantly, I’m positive that he would reaffirm the fact that this family, and this house, are full of more than enough love to be shared.

While I didn’t take many pictures this weekend, the images and thoughts have been burned into my brain. And the best part is, in another few weeks we’re all going to be together again. Some of the Hectic Clan will be here a bit longer, but it will be the first time in nearly seven months that we’ll all be together in one place.

I hope the Universe is ready!