Teens, Parties and Late Nights

Yes, I'm dragging this morning. Our twin daughters are turning 17 next week. We were not going to have a friend party for them. After all, we gave them a small, low-key but fun 'Sweet 16' party last year...been there, done that.

We caved.

For about 8 hours yesterday we had 8 of their friends here. They played XBox Guitar Hero, Bean Bag toss, Poker, and Pictionary...to which there were ROARS of laughter coming from the lower level. So much laughter it made us smile and chuckle upstairs LOL And there was pizza, pop and cupcakes. What is it with kids and cupcakes? There are none left!

The hardest part...staying awake. I dozed a few times in my chair between 10 & 11, and when hubby gave me the ok to go to bed I took it. I think he probably fell asleep on the couch until all the friends left at midnight.

The best part was when one of the friends (a boy our girls have known since 3rd grade) told me in the kitchen "Thanks for having this party."

I'm glad we caved :-)

Jon & Kate Plus Eight...Love It or Hate It

Many of you either watch, or have heard of the 'Jon & Kate Plus Eight' reality show. The story of a couple who have a set of twins and a set of sextuplets. And now with tales of infidelity, they are in the media even more.

It's one of those shows where you either Love It or Hate It...I hate it!

I disliked the show from the beginning. Why? Here is a couple who is blessed (with the help of fertility drugs) to have beautiful twin daughters. Then the wife decides she wants "one more baby"...and they have 6 more, again with the help of fertility drugs. Fine, you are blessed many times over, and very fortunate that none have severe health issues.

The final straw is this ongoing reality show. I've only seen bits and pieces over the years, and like many I think Kate is a bitch & Jon is a wimp. Yep, no sugar-coating. I know the importance of being a strong parent, but I also know it is a team effort and you have to earn and show respect to the other team member(s).

With this latest infidelity scandal, all I can do is think of the children. What the hell are these parent's thinking?!?! Even IF Jon isn't cheating, and she's "just a friend". DUDE...you are a t.v. reality "star", and the paparazzi follow you! And Kate...gee, maybe if she didn't doll yourself up so much and dress like a *insert your own word* while out without her hubby, people wouldn't "assume" she's having an affair with her bodyguard. And her arrogance is disgusting...a whole lotta Humble pie is needed.

Because of all this recent fodder I saw a before-and-after picture of Kate. The before was shortly after she gave birth to the sextuplets, the after was a recent photo with her blonde peacock-do. The article talked about how the show paid for her tummy tuck, tanning sessions and a personal trainer...basically her overall transformation. What I find utterly sad is that this transformation has turned this mother into a material-money grubbing-media star. Even Jon admits in a recent magazine article they are doing Season 5 because of the material benefits. Material benefits are NOT what make a family a happy family! It's the non-material things that set a solid foundation to build on, and to grow in a positive & healthy way.

I do love that her own brother said in a recent interview that they shouldn't let fortune and fame destroy their family.

Jon & Kate have truly lost touch with reality.

Seeing the world thru your children's eyes

If there is one thing that stands out as a favorite thing to do, especially when my kids were younger, is to see the world thru their eyes.

All of their "firsts" are so intriquing to them, and some possibly scary. Most of these things we take for granted, whether it be an action, a thing, or a person. Let them sit and just watch what their eyes focus on, and the reaction they have. Watch how they feel a new object with their hands, or taste it...hopefully food only ;-)

Smile with them, comfort them, or share a good belly laugh!