Humor Break

The author with her family

The Flannel Family The Story Behind the Christmas Photo

By Jessica Guerrieri

I’m a sucker for a family photo. Every year around October I scroll through social media and watch moms getting their act together well before I’ve even had time to start feeling guilty for not pre-ordering our matching flannel. You know that famous Teddy Roosevelt quote: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” There is no greater truth, especially during this time of year. It’s the season where everyone’s highlight reel takes the form of a sparkling holiday card, and parents everywhere can’t help but wonder about the story behind the pictures—because there is always one. Well, let me tell you the story behind the holiday photo we took last year: You know the family that wears matching PJs for its portrait? I decided we should unapologetically be that family. Because why the heck not? My husband does have certain clothing standards. If he is wearing anything less than jeans and a t-shirt—say, just a pair of basketball shorts—he won’t even answer the UPS person at the door. Luckily, I need only bat my eyelashes and he’ll give me the world. Still you should have seen his face when I held up our outfits (see photo above). Last year, my entire family traveled to Park City, Utah, to celebrate Thanksgiving. I was especially thankful that my dad, a retired professional photographer, offered to take pictures for us. Everything about the photo we chose for our card is adorable, from my baby’s glee to my eldest’s bare feet. It succeeded in capturing a perfect moment, but that moment certainly didn’t last! Exactly eight hours after the photo was taken, just as we were about to fly home, I was hit with a violent combination of food

It was just another day on the Reality of Parenthood Olympics show.

poisoning and the stomach flu. Oh, the joys of traveling with three small children while every ounce of bodily fluid is trying to leave you faster than a toddler on Santa’s lap. It was just another day on the Reality of Parenthood Olympics show, that segment sponsored by adult diapers and Pepto Bismol. At one point I turned to my husband and said, “If the plane goes down, save the children and let me go.” Of course, the real story of our family is not this silly tale; indeed, it’s nothing that ever could be captured in a frame. It’s all the moments of love and joy—and conflict and forgiveness—that we share the other 8,758 hours of the year when we are not wearing flannel for a photo. It’s those moments that I cherish the most, the moments that help paint the whole picture. ¶

Jessica Guerrieri is a freelance writer/ blogger. She lives in Davis, California, with her husband and three daughters. Find her at witandspitup.com and follow her on Instagram @witandspitup.

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Broadway Goes to the Drive-In

For Transcendence Theatre Company, the big screens at drive-ins aren’t just for Hollywood flicks. They also are for projecting films of theatrical performances, like its Broadway Holiday show. The screening is part of the company’s new COVID-safe approach to performance. Just as if they were attending a drive-in, theatergoers will park their cars in front of a large, outdoor screen set up at SOMO Village in Rohnert Park and also at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma. Live pre-show entertainment will include a holiday sing-along, in-car activities, and food. Then Broadway Holiday, which will feature professional performances of songs from Broadway musicals as well as traditional holiday melodies, will hit the screen. Performances will be held at Somo Village December 4–6 and at Sonoma Raceway December 11–13; both shows will start at 6:15 p.m. General admission is $59 per car; VIP tickets are $199–$249 and include a three-course meal and wine for 2–4 people. For those who can’t make it to the “drive-in” screenings, Broadway Holiday will be shown on the Transcendence Theater YouTube channel (youtube.com/ user/transcendencetheatre), screening on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. and December 19–23 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Find out more and purchase tickets at transcendencetheatre.org/ somo-village-drive-in. ¶

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Objets D’Art, Six-Feet Apart

While COVID-19 has sidelined many craft shows this year, the Holiday Craft Market remains, buoyed, in part, by its COVID-safe outdoor setting at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market. Customers will be required to wear masks and stay six feet (that’s 11 zucchinis) apart while they peruse glass jewelry, wooden spoons, pottery, leather goods, arty masks, and other handmade items. The selection changes weekly so visitors can view different work each time they come. See the show on December 5, 12, and 19, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at the west plaza parking lot in Healdsburg. Go to healdsburgfarmersmarket.org for a list of vendors and more information. ¶

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