Holiday Dilemma.

I love my kids, I do.
I just would like a break to enjoy my adult life sometimes.

Sound familiar?

For me, the holidays heighten this.
Thanksgiving found us with three other families with young children.
We've known these people for years.
We used to have Thanksgiving together before the children were born.

In those days we enjoyed hot food with great conversation.
After dinner we played board games and laughed until our sides hurt.
It was really a great time.

This year we had our meal interrupted constantly by kids.
We barely finished a mouthful never mind a sentence before we met a child's need or want.
There were no games and instead of relaxing after the meal we had to get all the littles home to bed.

Our children were all delightful. They were not difficult or naughty. They were not particularly demanding.
They entertained us with song and little performances. They were just children.

This is the juggle of parenthood. I want to spend the holidays with my children. I want to create memories and traditions with them. I want them to remember the holidays as joy filled. I love creating special times with them. I just don't want it to be all I do at the holidays.
If I give them 100% I find it hard to enjoy some time as an adult. I don't get to relax. I don't get to really enjoy the meal. I do not get to have a full adult conversation.

How do I find balance? Is it just not possible while the kids are little?
How do you do it?