strangerthan

I came across this in my reading...as a teacher of writing, I appreciated the "voice!"

To my nephew, it may have been the Best. Party. Ever. But to his parents? Yeah, well, not so much. This summer, said nephew, only 11 years old, was invited to a pool party: Splish splash. Fun, fun. The parents of the kid who were hosting had informed all of the other parents that they'd take the kids out to eat afterwards. Not a problem, right? P.S.: The restaurant was Hooters.

As you can imagine upon their finding out, my brother and sister-in-law were hotter than a bucket full of buffalo wings. I mean, if they'd at least been told about the choice of eatery, that would've given them the chance to raise the issue of maybe bringing the kids to a more family-friendly establishment. You know, one where the waitstaff wears a hygienically conscious length of pant? [Insert Oprah-esque supportive applause here.] I'd hate to see where this couple would host an 11-year-old girl's party. Chippendales? I mean, good Lord! Where would they even put their name tags?

So, gone, apparently, are the days of Chuck E. Cheese. Paper crown at Burger King? That's so 1975, people. I guess I'm an old fart, but since when did it become okay for preteen boys to celebrate their birthdays not with a menagerie of inflated plastic balloons, but with .... well, a menagerie of inflated plastic balloons bearing dippable food?

Holla if you hear me: Is Hooter's not, hands (and breasts) down, the worst choice of location for a kid's birthday party?

Ron Kelly writes for Parents magazine's Goody Blog, where this article originally appeared.

Two awesome demonstrations of skills I highly value!


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I just finished reading Boy's Life (see my book list) with the hope that it would be a good read for my 8th and 9th graders.  I am so excited to teach it.  It is a great study in characterization and just plain good story telling.  The main character's adventures remind me so much of the stories Chip tells me about his childhood.  My childhood was so dull and unimaginative that it fills my heart with great joy knowing there is something more for my children.  I wish all children great adventures and lives filled with imagination.  It will be an easy read for my students because it isn't very literary.  Good times will be had by all!

Tomorrow I begin the second trimester at Durango Academy.  We are still open for business, even though we lost quite a few kids due to low grades and attendance.  I am glad to have a job.  That's about all I can say.  This has been a rough year and the rough stuff isn't over yet.  Just when I get excited about some new idea or suggestion, it gets implemented badly, or changed completely...I make sure not to get excited any more.

It is going to be a drag to work during the holidays.  I love this season so much and there are so many fun things to do with the kids.  I will have to miss out on some of them this year and that totally sucks.  I wish Chip and I could trade time schedules.  We do have fun Thanksgiving plans and I'll get a couple weeks off at Christmas.  I can't wait to cut down our Christmas tree again...so awesome!

Hope you had fun trick-or-treating!  I had a blast walking the neighborhood with my kids.  They loved their costumes!