Predictions and Resolutions

Most people make resolutions for the new year. And we have at least one of those. Facebook friends (of Clark's) will note that we also have resolved not to leave the house a dump all the time. I may or may not take umbrage to that. But my family has a better tradition, if you ask me: we make predictions.

It all started years ago when my mom heard the idea somewhere, so she thought we'd try it out. We put on our thinking caps and made a lengthy list of all our predictions for the upcoming year. They ranged from serious (Shannon will pick a major!) to kooky (Dad will wear a tweety bird tie!). And then Mom tucked the list away, to be opened in one year. It was really quite fun to make the list, and even more fun when we got to read it in a year. It's become one of my favorite family traditions. We get silly, we get introspective, we think about current events and global issues. It's delightful.

We did it again this year, with the Blockburgers phoning in on Skype. I wish we could have been there in person, but I am SO glad we have the technology to allow us to video chat. We had a great time, and got some good stuff in there.

Would you like some examples? Here are a few predictions from 2011, with the results:
-Julia will eat a Popsicle this summer (This didn't happen. HOW DID THIS NOT HAPPEN? I've failed as a mother.)
-We will go to Canada (Check!)
-Julia will learn to ride her trike (Check! Well, after we bought her new bike. . . poor trike. . .)
-Ella will be snugly (It took until December, but we did it! We have a snuggler!)
-We will move out of this apartment (Not yet. Sigh.)
-We will sell our house (YESSS!!!)
-Julia will have a tea party (Check!)
-We will visit Chicago (Not yet. But soon.)

I'd write up some from this year, but they are already packed away with the Christmas stuff. I'm pretty sure Julia eating a Popsicle was on there, as was moving out of this apartment, and going to Chicago. Also, that we'll have a new niece or nephew (fingers crossed!!), that Ella will become the littlest goof, and that Dad will wear a Tweety Bird tie. Because we always predict that Dad will wear a Tweety Bird tie. It's tradition.