I know our Canadian friends have already celebrated Thanksgiving; but it's just a month away for us here in the US!
Last year DH and I had just bought our house and DH thought it would be a great idea to host dinner at our house. We had just 7 people here; but I was like 7 or 8 months pregnant and it was EXHAUSTING!! I can't tell you how my feet hurt! I had help from my mother; but still! I said "Never again while pregnant!!"
So this year DH again wants us to host dinner. It will be easier for LO to nap and my mother's house is in need of some major renovations. I've already agreed to host dinner. But now my mother would like to ask my step-grandparents (who live 2 hours away) and a step-uncle and aunt who will be visiting my step-grandparents from several states away. I haven't seen them in 15 years; but my Aunt and I are Frontierville buddies on facebook.
So I WOULD like to see them.
The problem is, my step-dad is just one of 8 kids. Most of them live near my step-grandparents. I'm afraid that more will come than just those 4 we are wanting to extend an invitation to. There are so many siblings, spouses, kids, etc that dinner could easily be for a crowd over 20! It's a major holiday and I would expect that they want to be together. But we do not go up there. For several reasons I won't get into here.
I have 4 step-siblings as it is. I know at least some are planning to come, 1 kid, spouses and significant others as well. I just don't know that I can handle a crowd that big!! Even with my mother's help. This house is just not THAT big! Now I do know that my step-family ALWAYS comes with food. And they are GREAT cooks! But our traditional menu is culturally different than theirs; so I will still have lots to cook. Not to mention baking desserts and cleaning before and after; with a very busy, mobile 10 1/2 month old on my hands. I've already told DH that she will be his responsibility from morning to night! But really she is pretty attached to me so that may not go over so well with her!
Any advice on hosting a crowd that big? Part of me thinks I should just, pardon the expression, grow a pair and do whatever it takes. Part of me is just terrified at the thought of it all! In reality, none of them may come and that's fine. But to have them all is a real possibility too. I was hesitant to offer to cook for just the usual holiday crowd!
Last year DH and I had just bought our house and DH thought it would be a great idea to host dinner at our house. We had just 7 people here; but I was like 7 or 8 months pregnant and it was EXHAUSTING!! I can't tell you how my feet hurt! I had help from my mother; but still! I said "Never again while pregnant!!"
So this year DH again wants us to host dinner. It will be easier for LO to nap and my mother's house is in need of some major renovations. I've already agreed to host dinner. But now my mother would like to ask my step-grandparents (who live 2 hours away) and a step-uncle and aunt who will be visiting my step-grandparents from several states away. I haven't seen them in 15 years; but my Aunt and I are Frontierville buddies on facebook.
The problem is, my step-dad is just one of 8 kids. Most of them live near my step-grandparents. I'm afraid that more will come than just those 4 we are wanting to extend an invitation to. There are so many siblings, spouses, kids, etc that dinner could easily be for a crowd over 20! It's a major holiday and I would expect that they want to be together. But we do not go up there. For several reasons I won't get into here.
I have 4 step-siblings as it is. I know at least some are planning to come, 1 kid, spouses and significant others as well. I just don't know that I can handle a crowd that big!! Even with my mother's help. This house is just not THAT big! Now I do know that my step-family ALWAYS comes with food. And they are GREAT cooks! But our traditional menu is culturally different than theirs; so I will still have lots to cook. Not to mention baking desserts and cleaning before and after; with a very busy, mobile 10 1/2 month old on my hands. I've already told DH that she will be his responsibility from morning to night! But really she is pretty attached to me so that may not go over so well with her!
Any advice on hosting a crowd that big? Part of me thinks I should just, pardon the expression, grow a pair and do whatever it takes. Part of me is just terrified at the thought of it all! In reality, none of them may come and that's fine. But to have them all is a real possibility too. I was hesitant to offer to cook for just the usual holiday crowd!