Weekend at Parentsville

This weekend, we left the MA 'burbs, and made a beeline for the CT ones.

Funny thing is, we never left Parentsville.

We packed up the Camry and drove two and a half hours to see our favorite former Watertown peeps for a family-style soiree. We were joined by fellow party-goers hailing from Boston, New Jersey and Long Island and when the head count was in, we totaled 16 -- 10 adults and six kiddies. Food, company, and beer were aplenty.

The trip was a blast. However, it did serve as a reminder that the times, they are a-changing. The drinking started early (a.k.a. upon arrival, but it WAS noon). That part didn't change. Here's what has.

• Our friends have a three-year-old. The terrible twos, they said, that's a farce. It's the 3's that make you want to stick your head in a pre-heated oven. They also have a nine-month old. They are emotionally and physically exhausted. And though, as always, they played excellent hosts, there wasn't the traditional psycho-analysis group therapy session or quasi offensive, yet thought-provoking mind game. Bummer.
• We were never all in the same room at the same time. It was like the year my grandfather dressed up as Santa Claus. I began to wonder if certain people were actually real.
• Practically everyone loves the movie Office Space. So when March Madness continued to disappoint, and the kids were busy in the playroom, our host threw it in the DVD player. When we noticed the five and three-year old staring blankly at the screen as Michael Bolton harmonized a string of obscenities with the Geto boys, we quickly put in Shrek, then WE were the ones staring blankly at the screen.
• Normally a get-together such as this requires -- no, demands -- an overnight stay, but by late afternoon, people were dropping like flies.
• Those of us that were in it for the long haul put in a respectable showing with the continued drinking. And after a couple of tasty lasagnas (one veggie, one for the carnivores), and some socializing out on the deck, we, the standing few, started to drag. By the time all the remaining children were put to bed and we tried again for Office Space, we needed toothpicks to hold our eyes open. But we persevered. Then, by 10 p.m., as Peter Gibbons and his crew of disgruntled techies plotted to screw Initech, our hosts were quietly snoozing on the couch. When they woke with a start, one retired to bed. Then another fringe movie-watcher dropped. When I was offered a beer at 10:15, I took it to preserve the pretense that I still had it in me. At about 10:30, we were three strong, but fading fast. My beer was still half full. I had to give in. Then everyone folded. By 10:45, Rich and I were in bed. Ah, heavenly, peaceful sleep. (Insert sounds of crickets chirping here). But at midnight, as I still lay tossing and turning, unable to achieve slumber in a strange setting, our son decided it would be a good time to wake and demand milk. Then he lay in bed with us for the the rest of the night, flopping around like a fish out of water. It was just like being home.......