Journal, Day 203

'Tis a miracle! We have survived over 200 days since this journal began, despite many obstacles. Another new year beckons!
 
Before the New Year could fall, we descended into chaos while making homemade pickles, which should seem like a simple task, yet became a battleground for arguments and never ending nitpicking, particularly on the part of the younger male, who refuses at any moment to let a disagreement die an honorable death. Per usual, he was slighted by being asked to chop two different things while the younger female merely had to add herbs to a jar, both equally age appropriate tasks but nonetheless fodder for incessant complaining. He disagreed so vehemently that it drove the younger female to tears and she left her responsibilities to the elder female.
 
To assuage the younger female, the benefactor had her assist with making posole, a spicy stew of hominy, and a New Year’s Eve tradition. Together, they measured and mixed ingredients to ensure the perfect blend of red chile flavor with other rich spices. Afterward, the benefactor took the younger female aside and they spent some quality moments applying lacquer to their nails and bonding. The elder female then assisted both the younger female and benefactor with applying fancy face painting for the evening’s festivities.

In the evening, we sat down to usher in the New Year as a family, enjoying our posole and reflecting on the year past and the year to come. Soon, it was time for the younger children to leave, and the benefactor transported them to the home of another benefactor. When she returned, the elder children relayed that they had crafted plans to spend the evening with companions in the town square, leaving the benefactor to her own plans.
 
When the benefactor returned home after the turn of the day, the elder female was alone sitting in pajamas, watching the media box. The elder male had relayed a message that he would be spending the evening at a friend’s home. As she cleaned up the kitchen, the benefactor came across a glass bottle filled with juice doctored with a brown liquor gifted the benefactor during the holidays, and which was now lower in volume. The elder female denied having anything to do with the concoction, and promptly ratted out her twin sibling.

In the morning, the benefactor woke the elder male with messages, demanding his presence at home immediately. He claimed he could not return right away, as he was at a different friend’s home than the one originally stated. Instead, the benefactor swooped him up as she traveled to her employment, and they had a tete-a-tete regarding some of the poorer life choices the elder male had recently made. He apologized to the benefactor, assuring her that none of the mixture was imbibed, but mostly created for jest. Regardless, the elder male will be forbidden from socializing for approximately 30 days, many evenings of which will be spent in the direct company of the benefactor. The benefactor thanked the elder female for being less worrisome, and for spending much of her time at home, in pajamas, even though she has taken up the irritating habit of making three cups of time at one time, and leaving them in small piles across the living and dining room.

On the first day of the new year, the younger children returned, meeting the benefactor and elder male at her employment, where part of the day was spent squabbling with one another. Finally, they returned home, collecting a nice, warm meal, and then spent time looking at the lunar landscape through the younger male’s new astronomical spyglass, as well as peering at select stars. Despite the bitter chill, the children enjoyed their time outside and having the opportunity to see the moon up close and personal.
 
All in all, as we settle into a new year full of new adventure, we hope that you remember the things we have learned to treasure this special holiday season: family, laughter, and connection. May the year two thousand and eighteen bring you much joy and love, as it will us.