Bonus Parenting - crzkb's Blog - SacMomsClub.com

Bonus Parenting - crzkb's Blog - SacMomsClub.com http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb A stepmom's point of view A stepmom's point of view en-us Olympic Fever http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9183 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9183 <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to, it's Olympic Fever.  </font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">"Did you watch Michael Phelps last night??  Did you see those crazy swim contraptions they're wearing?  It helps with buoyancy."</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">"I was glued to my TV until 11:30 last night watching the Olympics.  Those Chinese gymnasts can't be 16 years old, they're just too tiny!"</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">"Why is there a water pit in the steeple chase?  If they're going to have that, they should have dogs chasing after them, or people throwing things at them, too."</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">"Did you see the trampoline competition?  What the heck else are they going to have?  Trampoline??!"</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">It seems to me that a prerequisite to becoming an Olympic athlete is a really sad personal story.   All the athletes seem to have overcome some sort of major life hardship in their past.  A tragic car accident, learning disabilities, poverty, starvation...  No happy stories allowed.</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">OK, confession time.  I'm sooo not into the Olympics.  No, I didn't even watch the over the top amazing wondrous opening ceremonies (at least my mom said they were crazy good).  And I'm a PE teacher!  I'm just not interested.  Am I the only one?  Listening to people around me, I think so.  It's in all the papers, news shows, even my coveted entertainment programs are broadcasting live from Beijing.  I'm so not with it.</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">I know I'm definitely not in the majority.  I just don't care how many medals USA has over China or Australia!  I'm awful!!  I'm a bad American!  </font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4">So when my friends are sitting around discussing the latest world record that's been broken (and someone seems to set a new record of some sort during every single event), I just smile, take another swig of my coffee, and wait for the conversation to switch to something I'm interested in.  Something really significant in the world today.  Like the newest celebrity couple break up.</font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma" size="4"></font></p> Vacation time! http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9126 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9126 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="4">I just got back from an amazingly fun and relaxing and active vacation in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Ever heard of it?  Me neither, until the lady at the timeshare company told me about it.  It's mainly a big ski season town, but in the summer, all the ski runs turn into beautiful hiking trails.  The river is warm enough to float down in your innertube.  The morning is sunny and warm enough to ride your bike downtown and eat a HUGE cinnamon bun while sitting outside at Winona's restaurant.  And everyone hangs out at the lake, floating on the water and watching the waterskiiers fly by.  We golfed, tubed, ate, biked, hiked, floated, ate some more, walked, and explored.  We did it all.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="4">It was one of the few vacations I've been on when I genuinely didn't want to come home.  The difference between this vacation and others?  It was just me and my husband.  It was our 5 year anniversary celebration vacation, and it was just the two of us.  Alone together.  For the whole week.  Away.  Together.  Yes, I'll admit it, I LOVED IT!!!</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="4">We've done the family Disneyworld vacation, and it was great.  We've visited family on the east coast, all four of us, and it couldn't have been more fun.   But I really need to strongly reccomend the just you and your hubby vacation.  It was like a honeymoon.  I love hanging out and spending time with our kids.  But just hanging out, one on one quality and quantity time with the man you loved enough to marry, the man you wanted to be the dad of the century to your kids, the man you want to grow old with... there's  a lot to be said for that.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="4">So if it's at all possible in your future to take a timeout with your husband, just you and your husband, I say go for it.  Incorporate that weekly date night into your schedule.  Negotiate some babysitting swaps with your friends.  You won't regret it.</font></p>

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

My new running partner http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9061 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9061 <p><font color="#003366" size="4">My 10 year old step daughter is showing some really great interest in fitness lately.  She recently found the kids fitness section on demand, and has been doing the Denise Austin workout every morning.  She also wants me to wake her up early so she can go on walks with me and our dog, Buddy.  Then yesterday she really wanted to go for a jog.  She was actually a little mopey because my husband said he was too tired and didn't want to go.  </font></p> <p><font color="#003366" size="4">So I laced up my running shoes, and we headed out the door with the intention of just a small jog around the neighborhood.  I honestly thought it was going to be just a 12 minute excursion.  We started out towards her school, then took a detour onto the running trail by our house.  We took a couple 1 minute walk breaks, but ran the rest of the time at a pretty comfortable pace.  It turned out to be a 2 mile run.  For our first time out.  She said she had fun, felt good, and wanted to do it again.  I am so impressed with her!</font></p> <p><font color="#003366" size="4">I guess I'm a little extra happy about her interest in fitness, considering that I'm a Physical Education teacher.  I'm so used to hearing kids complain about running the mile, and here she is, 10 years old, and just ran TWO!  She has set a goal to run the school district 5K in October.  It will be her first race, so it should be pretty exciting for her.</font></p> <p><font color="#003366" size="4">Yes, I'm excited that she's so enthusiastic about fitness and physical activity, but it's also really nice to have a little partner to go on a short run with.  And a walking partner to walk the Buddy boy.  The walks with Buddy are a great opportunity to get some good talk time in, too.  I get to hear everything that's going on at school, with her friends, what's going on in her head.  Pretty good insight.  When you're walking for 45 minutes or longer, you find out some good stuff.  It's a great way to keep communication open.  I just hope this continues over the coming years!</font></p> Staying up late http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9008 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/9008 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#003366" size="4">I've always loved my sleep time.  Early to bed, early to rise is my motto.  I'm usually under the covers and sleeping away every night by 9:30.  My 10 year old step daughter and I are pretty much on the same page sleep wise.  We'll even "race" each other to see who can be ready in bed first.:  "Have you brushed your teeth yet?  I'm done washing my face, I'm almost ready," she'll say in that sing songy way of telling me she's going to win the in bed first competition.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#003366" size="4">My 14 year old step son is a different story.  He stays up later and later, and my husband stays up with him until he goes to bed.  During school he would try to be in bed by 10:00, but it usually was more like 10:30ish.  And Fridays he would stay up until whenever, using the "It's Friday, no school tomorrow" reasoning.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#003366" size="4">Well, now it's summer, and every day is Friday.  We have the kids every other week, and I like to plan full days of activities when they're with us.  That means wake up early so we can be the first ones at the amusement park  to avoid the lines.  Wake up early so we can catch the free 10:00 movie at the movie theater.  Wake up early so we can avoid the traffic going into the city.  Wake up early so we can be outside for a little bit before the 110 degree weather kicks in.  Basically, I like to have us all out of the house by 9:00.  </font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#003366" size="4">My 14 year old would sleep in until 11:00 or even noon if we let him.  Probably because he's stays up until 11:00 watching movies with my husband.  </font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#003366" size="4">Here is my question:  What time is a good time for early teenagers to go to bed in the summer?  </font></p> Big points for hubby http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8970 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8970 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="4">It's been a very busy last few weeks.  My mother in law was visiting for a week from South Carolina, we hosted a big party for my step son's promotion from 8th grade, my parents were in town, my brother in law was in town, I wrapped up the end of another school year (I'm a teacher)... It's been a lot harder for my husband and I to catch our breath and see how the other is doing.  Either he's off at one of the kid's soccer practices, or I'm off at an A's game (they've been in town practically the entire month!).  We just haven't had our normal time to relax and catch up on what's going on with everything.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="4">So this morning I thought it was just another normal "goodbye, I love you, have a good day this morning"  when he left for work.  He left, my 10 year old and I left to take the Buddy dog out for a walk, everything normal.  After we came home from the walk, I went into the bathroom to get ready to leave for a movie.  There it was!</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="4">On the counter, next to my hairdryer, was an envelope with my name on it.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="4">I opened the card.  It was one of those "I love you" cards that I always look at in the greeting card section, and fantasize about getting for no particular reason.  And I got one!!!</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="4">It's not our anniversary, not my birthday, not a special date on the calendar, and he's not trying to make up after a big fight.  He gave me an "I love you" card for no reason!  Woo-hoo!  Big points for the husband!  HUGE!!!</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="4">So I just got back from Costco.  I had to pick up some steaks for the special dinner I'm making him tonight... for no reason.  ;)</font></p> Happy Summer! http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8952 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8952 <p><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Summer officially starts tomorrow, June 21.  But it started for me last Monday, the first day of no more school (I'm a middle school teacher).  I have 2 step kids who live halftime with us, halftime with their mom.  This week they were at mom's, so I had the FULL WEEK of just me!  No obligations, appointments, or meetings.  Oh, what to do with such free time.  Well, here is what I did:</font></p> <ul> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Met my friend and her new 8 week old fart monster of cute little boy for a nice hilly walk around her neighborhood (seriously, his toots are monumental).</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Went for a long bikeride to Starbucks and read Dear Abby and comics with my refreshing and lovely iced coffee.</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Saw Sex and the City in the middle of the day - great fluff of movie for those who still haven't seen it.</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Had my hair done - no more grey!</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Made dinner every night for me and hubby.  Tried the BBQ chicken sloppy joe recipe I saw on Rachael Ray yesterday, and it turned out pretty good.  But I didn't make my own BBQ sauce, I just used what was in the bottle.  Why make your own when the store sells it already made??!!</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Napped with my Buddy dog (see picture).  </font></li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Met a friend for Starbucks at a moment's notice</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Walked through Barnes and Noble at a leisurely pace.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Floated in the pool and read my Oprah magazine.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Baked cookies and delivered them to the office staff at work who are still working this week.</font></li> </ul> <p><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">The kids come back to us tonight, and I have them all next week.  What to do?  My goal is always to tire them out.  Here's my plan:</font></p> <ul> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Mon:  Great America - get the summer started off right, right?</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Tues: Alameda county fair - Everyone is $2 on Tuesdays</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Wed: The Regal movie theater in my area shows kids movies for free on Tues and Wed mornings at 9:00.  We'll see Shrek 3, then go have a picnic in a park.</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Thurs:  A's game at 12:35.</font> </li> <li><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Friday: maybe a bikeride or just hanging around the house.</font></li> </ul> <p><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face="Comic Sans MS" color="#666699" size="3">Then I have a week to myself again.  Every other week.  It's been working that way for the last 5 years.  Wish me luck!</font></p> Baby Farts http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8932 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8932 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="3">My friend at work has an 8 week old son.  She brought the cute little bundle to work last week, so I got my annual fix of holding a baby.  I've never had one of my own, I met my step kids when they were 3 and 7.   I enjoy holding my friend's babies, but also enjoy giving them back when they poop, cry, or just get too heavy to carry.  </font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="3">This little boy in particular had quite the gas that day.  Not just cute baby gas where they look like they're smiling and turn a little purple pushing it out.  He had major big man farts that vibrated the room.  He's only 8 weeks old!  I was quite surprised.  His mom seemed pretty proud of it, though.  It just made me laugh so hard that I had to give the kid back to his mom before I dropped him or something.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="3">My husband and I aren't having any fart monsters of our own.  His 2 are wonderful and amazing and fun and awesome, and they live with us 50% of the time.   I never had that "I want to be a mommy so bad" feeling, and I'm really happy with our decisions.  I get my baby fix from lots of my friends and co-workers, and get to see cute little baby stuff from them all the time.  And my step kids are pretty good  gas passers, to boot.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800000" size="3">:)</font></p> Mother's Day Card http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8878 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8878 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800080" size="4">I loved Magickmom's blog about the mother's day card.  <strong><u>VERY</u></strong> sweet.  What a great idea to share it.  It made me want to share my special mother's day card, too.  My stepson made me a poster this year with pictures that made up the letters of Happy Mother's Day.  The pictures are everything I like:  My ipod, starbucks straws in my coffee, the blue chair I sit in when I read, a roller coaster track, my dog's leash, a melting ice cream cone, and more.  It was such a thoughtful, creative thing to do.  He's really a great kid.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#800080" size="4">Anyone else want to share?</font></p>

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

Title:
Caption:
Credit:

This is wierd... http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8856 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8856 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4">I just got home from my part time job, also known as my "fun job".  I work in the box office for the Oakland A's, which means I sell a few tickets, then get to go into the game and watch for free.  Yes, they beat the Red Sox 3-0.  That's two in a row.  <font color="#008080">Go A's.</font></font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4">Anyhoo, I came home tonight expecting to see my husband and two kids and wonderous dog, Buddy, waiting for me so we can have movie night.  The cars are in the driveway, but nobody's home, not even wonderous Buddy.  There's no note, but I can figure out that they have taken Buddy out on a walk, but it's almost 9:00 at night, and the sun has set.  The movies for movie night are here, but no family.</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4">Now for the wierdness.  It's totally quiet.  No tv's are on, no radio's are playing, all the rooms are dark.  Buddy isn't at my feet wherever I go.  I'm not making anyone dessert, or making suggestions that it's almost shower time.  I've been home like this now for about 15 minutes, and it feels so wierd!</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4">I know I should be savoring this solitude.  I am the type of person who really enjoys my "me time".  But I usually plan ahead for  "me time".  This is unexpected, unscheduled me time.  SO WIERD!</font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="4">So, I guess I'll go sit in my reading chair and read my Oprah magazine until they get home.  Maybe I'll pour a glass of wine and listen to the jazz station, too.  Uh oh.  I just heard the front door.  Here comes Buddy.  I guess the "me time" will have to wait until another time.</font></p> It's HOT! http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8812 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8812 <p><font face="Tahoma" size="3">That's right, the weather guy said it's supposed to reach 105 degrees tomorrow.  That is damn hot.  What to do with the childrens when it's that hot....  hmmmm....</font></p> <ol> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">The nearest Rite Aid sells single scoops for $1.19.  And the really nice guy behind the counter always give us a little extra on top. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Jump in the pool, and don't get out until it's bedtime. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Go to the library.  Read quietly in the air conditioning. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Go to a bowling ally, brush up on your game. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Go to a movie.  Narnia is coming out this weekend.  (And we all know about the Sex coming out May 30!) </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Jamba Juice -- but only the 16 oz, because the larger ones are PACKED with calories and sugar. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Popcicles for everyone! </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Walk Buddy  the dog right before bedtime and watch the pink and blue sky turn dark. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Did I mention the ice cream?  The cotton candy flavor is really good. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Find all the fans from the garage, and plug them in. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Go to a park with those water sprinkly spouty things. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Run through the sprinklers. </font></li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Sleep on top of the covers.</font> </li> <li><font face="Tahoma" size="3">Make homemade ice cream.  Then, of course, eat it.</font></li> </ol> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font size="3">Just some suggestions to beat the heat.  Don't forget the sunscreen</font>!</font></p> Simple Pleasures http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8797 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8797 <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="3">With Mother's Day approaching, I find myself thinking of ways I'd like to celebrate.  Do I want breakfast in bed?  No, crumbs and milk in my bed sheets a happy mother's day does not make.  Go out for brunch perhaps?  No, it'll end up costing more than I'd like to spend.  Besides, I'm trying to eat healthier these days.   How about a day at the spa?  Nice, but again, pricey.  </font></p> <p><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#000000" size="3">I always end up wanting to do the simple things that make me happy all the time, every day.  So, here is my list of what would make me happy on Mother's day:</font></p> <ul> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Walking our dog, Buddy, together.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Taking a bikeride, a nice long one.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Going for a run, a nice long one.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Taking a hike somewhere pretty.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Sitting in my big comfy chair next to the window reading a book, with relaxing classical music on in the background.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Eating dinner on the backyard patio.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Reading the paper at Starbucks at an outside table (with my husband and Buddy).</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Sleep in</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Watching the sunset.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Taking a nap in the middle of the day.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Give myself a manicure.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Use that foot massager my husband gave me last year.</font></li> <li><font face="Comic Sans MS" color="#0000ff" size="3">Wear comfy sweats... all day long.</font></li> </ul> <p><font size="4"><font color="#800080"><font face="Comic Sans MS">I hope you all have a great mother's day doing exactly what you want</font> to do.</font></font></p> Where Are You, Molly Ringwald? http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8772 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8772 <p>I am a movie junkie.  I love comedies mostly.  Really good stupid funny quotable movies.  The ones that always come to mind are mostly from the 80's...</p> <p><u>16 Candles</u>:  "Oh sexy Gahlfriend!"    "This is Farmer Fred."  "Married??  Yeah, MARRIED."</p> <p><u>Breakfast Club</u>:  "My name is Claire.  It's a family name."  "No, it's a fat girl's name."</p> <p><u>Bull Durham</u>:  "I believe in the church of baseball."</p> <p><u>Field of Dreams</u>:  "I'll have a beer and a dog."</p> <p>I've noticed that along with the kids came a change in my movie preferences.  I find myself watching all the Pixar  movies, like Ratatouille, Cars, and The Increadilbes.  We have all 5 Harry Potters.  I enjoy all the Shreks.  Don't even get me started on Disney.  When my youngest was 3, every Sunday night was Aladdin night.   Monsters Inc. is probably my all time favorite.  Maybe it's Billy Crystal's voice, or that cute little Boo, I don't know.</p> <p>One of our favorite things to do as a family is to have Movie Night.  The kids make fake movie tickets that we have to present in order to be shown to our seat by flashlight.  We move the couches together, and all 4 of us squish together and share popcorn.  Sometimes the movie is great, and sometimes it puts me to sleep.  But it's always fun to hang out as a family.  The movies are changing, the kids are getting older, and I hope we'll always have movie night.  </p> <p> </p> Asking Cute http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8735 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8735 <p>Remember all the dances back in high school that you needed a date for- homecoming, junior prom, senior ball, sadie hawkins?  I've recently become aware of a very common, almost expected practice among high school kids called "asking cute".  Instead of just having the pressure of asking someone to be your date for the dance, now kids are expected to ask in a really cute, creative, and interesting way.   Like a boy who puts a dozen roses on a girl's car, then puts another dozen roses in her locker with a note asking her to the homecoming dance.  Or the girl who sends a boy on a mini scavenger hunt around the school, finding note after note, until he finally ends up on the football field where she and her friends are holding up a huge sign asking him to the prom.  A friend of mine helped her son's girlfriend decorate his room with balloons, streamers, and a cake that said, "Will you?" on it. </p> <p> A high school teacher I talked to said that some kids won't agree to go to the dance unless they are "asked cute".  Are you kidding me??  As a stepmom of a 14 year old who will be in high school next year, I'm a little concerned.  Sure, it's cute and adorable, but for every single date dance?  Not only does the kid feel anxiety about asking a girl to a dance, but now he has to come up with some brilliant, creative, original way to do it, or else he might get rejected.  Please.</p> <p>My husband also has an opinion about this.  He said that if a girl says  no because she wasn't "asked cute", then she's not worth going to the dance with anyway.  He thinks it's a waste of money, and is just added pressure on the kids to "keep up with the Jones'."  You go, hubby.</p> <p>I can see the whole "asking  cute" think for a big deal, last dance type thing, like senior ball.  But to do it all year, every year, for each date dance...  it just gets old.  Maybe just plain asking someone to the dance will become the creative, original, unordinary thing to do after a while.</p> One Big Party http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8712 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/crzkb/8712 <p>My stepson is "promoting" from 8th grade soon.  Kids don't graduate from 8th grade anymore, they are now "promoted" to high school.  Usually after the promotion ceremony, families take thier beaming child out to dinner to celebrate with loved ones.  My stepson has LOTS of loved ones.  In addition to mom and dad, he's got stepmom (me), stepdad, 5 gradparents, 2 step grandparents, 1 great grandpa, 4 uncles, 3 aunts, and 5 cousins.  That makes for a large table at a restaurant.  </p> <p>In order to avoid a hostess' meltdown trying to seat us all somewhere (not to mention a huge dinner bill), my husband and I have volunteered our house for the celebration dinner.  All of us, the whole blended family, in one backyard.  Some of my co-workers think I'm crazy for having my husband's ex-wife and her side of the family over to my house.  But I'm not the one promoting from middle school.  This isn't about me.  It's about my stepson.  This party is for him.  And besides, his mom's side of the family are a ton fun to be around.  I should know because I've been around them for the past 7 years at all my stepkid's soccer games, talent shows, choir concerts, and birthday celebrations.  </p> <p>There are some things we celebrate separately, like Christmas, Easter, and other holidays.  But my stepson is only going to have one promotion ceremony, so we'll all celebrate with him together.  Because we are all his family.</p>