"Three, two, one... Happy New Year!" Auden shouts excitedly, then blows on his noisemaker and claps his hands. "Three, two, one... Happy New Year!"

"Auden?"

"Three, two, one... Happy New Year!" I hear him shout again, followed by the obnoxious noisemaker.

"Auden?"

"Three, two, one... Happy New Year!"

"Auden Timothy Scott, get your butt over here right now!" I shout.

Auden immediately runs toward me and stops in front of me with an innocent look on his little face. "Am I in trouble, Mama?"

"No, baby, you aren't in trouble, but I think it's time for you to take a break from playing with your noisemaker."

"But I'm practicing for tonight!"

"I know and I think you're going to do great tonight." I smile.

"Three, two, one... Happy New Year!" Auden shouts while clapping and then blows on his noisemaker again.

"Auden? Let's put the noisemaker away until tonight, okay?"

A frown takes over Auden's little face. "But I need to practice."

"I know you are very excited about staying up until midnight for your first New Year's Eve, but I think you've practiced enough, okay? If you take a break now, it'll be that much more special tonight."

Auden continues to frown.

"How about you draw quietly for a little while? I'll get your markers for you."

"Okay, Mama."

I put Auden's markers and some paper on the table. "Did you want a snack?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay, you start drawing and I'll make you a sandwich."

I go to the kitchen and make a sandwich for Auden and myself, then place it in front of him.

"Thank you, Mama," he says politely and immediately takes a bite.

"Is it good?"

"Mmm-hmm," he hums and nods.

"Good." I smile. "At least someone likes my cooking," I joke, then return to the kitchen to retrieve my sandwich.

I make my way to the couch and put my sandwich down on the table before picking up my book and opening it to my bookmarked page. I let out a refreshing sigh, knowing I'm finally going to have a little peace and quiet.

Just as I'm about to start reading from where I last left off, Emery runs into the room. "Mom!" she shouts.

"What is it, Emery?" I ask, a little annoyed.

"I want champagne tonight!"

"Excuse me?"

"It's a special occasion and I want some champagne!"

"Nice try." I laugh. "You're way too young for any alcoholic beverages."

"I just want to try a little."

"The answer is still no."

"But, Mom!"

"Me too, me too! I want some cham... cham..." Auden adds.

"Champagne." Emery rolls her eyes.

"Yeah! I want cham... pin!"

"Champagne!" Emery replies angrily. "I should be allowed to have some because I'm old enough to say it right!"

"No one is having any champagne!" I shout.

Emery crosses her arms across her chest and begins to pout. "It's no fair you and Dad get to drink champagne and I don't!"

"No one will be drinking any champagne. Your dad doesn't drink alcohol and I'm supporting him by not having any."

"This night is going to be so boring!"

"Mama, do I still get to do the countdown?"

"Yes, baby, you can still do the countdown."

"Three, two, one... Happy New Year!" Auden claps and blows on his noisemaker again.

"Auden, I thought we agreed to save the noisemaker for later. I'm beginning to get a headache."

"Yeah, Auden! You gave Mom a headache. You don't deserve any champagne, but I do!"

"Mama, I want cham-pin, too!"

"Okay, everyone needs to take a time out! Auden, can you please go back to drawing? And Emery, could you please stop arguing with me and go do something in your room, quietly?"

"Fine." Emery pouts before running back to her room.

After the house falls silent again, I pick up my book and try to return to reading, but my headache is too strong to ignore, so I make my way to the bathroom and open the medicine cabinet. When I grab for the Tylenol, I notice the pill bottle is completely empty. "Well, that's just great," I groan before slamming the cabinet shut.

I grab a wash cloth and run it under cold water, then squeeze out the excess. I walk back to the couch, plop down, lean back and close my eyes before placing the cold cloth on my forehead, hoping I can get rid of this headache before tonight.