Emerging Adults

I recently read an article that made me roll my eyes a little. It was about the millennial generation (of which I'm a member) and how instead of going from teenager-dom to adulthood, they seem to experience a transitional phase in their 20s, where they are considered "emerging adults". Cue "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" by Britney Spears, please. 

I was quick to be annoyed and mutter things under my breath like "these kids need to get a job" and "I change three diapers before the sun comes out every morning" whilst reading the article. I think I've quickly gone from teenager-dom to adulthood to cranky old lady the way I mutter things under my breath these days.

But alas, I was quickly humbled when I realized, once again, that I am very much in the emerging adult phase in my life (at least in a few areas).

The first being--I am freaked out by driving into the city and haven't done it.

Everyone in my congregation drives into the city at least occasionally. Yes, there are times when taking the train makes a lot more sense, but there are plenty of times that driving our own van would be better. And yet, I've been pretty scared about it.

So I finally put some big girl pants this last week, and Dan and I drove the kids into the city to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

We woke up at 3:15 a.m. and were out of the house by 3:45.

People from our church have the parade figured out very well and attend every single year. There is a couple that stakes out a place. This year, they slept outside. What the heck. That is dedication. 

The rest of us showed up between 4 and 5 to help save our spots, and we walk about a block away to use the restrooms in the local LDS chapel/temple.

And yes, I realize that it doesn't really count as driving into the city when you are doing it at 4 a.m., and there are no other cars on the road, but it was a good baby step for us.

Speaking of baby steps, it might be time to acknowledge that we aren't in Florida anymore. Being the emerging adults that we are, we weren't quite prepared for the cold. It wasn't terribly cold, but it was definitely cold. We brought hats but didn't have gloves. And then Gwen didn't want to wear her hat.

Luckily, friends came more prepared than us. Unluckily, they are fans of the U. Hopefully, that BYU scarf warded off any permanent Utah vibes.

True story: Harris slept most of the parade. He's awesome.

Also a true story: Gwen threw a huge tantrum right before the parade started. She was tired and cold and I don't blame her. This event is not pictured.

While Gwen sat in Dan's lap and received comfort, June was front and center sitting with some friends. She benefited greatly from this decision because they brought donuts. I've taught her well.

She was also the recipient of a lot of interaction with members of the parade. I don't know which float this was from, but she was excited.

When we finally arrived home and took her coat off, about two pounds of confetti fell out onto her bed.

The confirmation that we are definitely not yet total adults was once again confirmed when Dan and I were caught fangirling after particular celebrities from our childhoods.

Dan, whose own hands were full with Gwen, asked me to take some pics of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

And my heart skipped a beat when I saw Nick Lachey and the other members of 98 Degrees.

Can we talk about how disturbing this was to me? I wasn't even a die hard fan as a kid. I must have just been caught up in all the excitement.

As soon as we saw Santa, we made a run for the van and avoided all traffic going home. Home in 45 minutes! 

Everyone was asleep in the first 3 minutes.

I need to vacuum my van.

In short, the parade was a lot of fun and we would do it again. In 365 days and no sooner.

A few days later, we went at an event much more our speed--the Morristown Christmas Tree lighting. 

And also--here's Gwen from this morning after I told her she could have a banana but had to eat it inside the kitchen.

Such a delicate flower, that child.