I just hosted a pre-dance pizza party for six teenage 8th grade boys

[Shine]

Tonite's their first school dance of the year, so ShineBoy decided he wanted to host a pre-dance party for some of his buddies at our house. We had tons of pizza, nacho chips, root beer, cut up veggies and dip, salad, and peanut M&M's. The veggies and salad weren't that popular, but I felt compelled to offer something moderately "healthy". :D

MrShine is walking them down the the school right now. We live very close to the middle school, so it's very convenient.

The dance lasts precisely 2 hrs, from 7-9pm.

Gawd, remember those days??? You couldn't PAY me to be a teenager again....:scared:

[triguy46]

1. Did the house end up reeking of male hormones?

[Shine]

4. Not exactly, but they didn't clean up after themselves.

:grr:

:D

[triguy46]

It's how they mark their territory: pizza crust and spilt soft drinks.

[Shine]

13. LOL!!!

:rofl:

OMG, spoken like one who KNOWS.... You're absolutely right. I never had a brother, so this is all new to me. :D

[BarenakedLady]

2. I wonder if Stairway To Heaven is still the last song.

:shrug:

[Shine]

6. I dunno about that one, but they still play YMCA every time

the kids still act out the letters, too. :eyes:

Shit, we did that when WE were in school, too. That song has been around for a loooooooong time. :D

[Kali]

8. and Hey Jude for the big ol long slow dance!

[mainegreen]

10. Oh god. WHY was it always the last song?

Memories of such awkwardness.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. I'm with you on that one.

There is no amount of money that would convince me to be a teenager again.



OT, we were down your way last week and we were planning to come home on Hwy. 17 -- on Tuesday, when the truck accident closed it for several hours. We went home by way of scenic hwy 9. What the heck. We rarely go beyond Big Basin on that road so it was an adventure.

[Shine]

9. Oh yeah, I read about that accident on Hwy 17

it was blocked for hours in both directions. Bummer.

Hwy 9 is nice, too. Windy, though.

Let me know next time you're in my area and have some time. I'd love to do coffee with you sometime. :pals: :hi:

[Cabcere]

5. Wow...you are a brave woman.

Six teenage boys? :scared: I have no words...just respect. Lots and lots of respect. ;) :hi:

[Shine]

12. Amusingly enough, they spent most of their time here in front of a computer

ShineBoy was entertaining them with various funny video clips he'd discovered online. It's a modern world....

It also helped that they were only here for about 1 1/2 hrs. :D

:hi:

[DarkTirade]

7. Back then my friends were all geeks, so none of them ever went to dances.

Which was just as well, 'cause they knew I'd be the one getting all the attention...

And I'm modest too. :)

Actually I was rather awkward back then. I'm very 'big-boned' naturally, but I was really skinny back then so I looked all knobby and funny. :)

[Shine]

14. I went to a few dances, but never thought to have a pre-dance party

I must say, it's quite brilliant. The whole "strength in numbers" thing. They hang out together before-hand being silly and then all go to the dance together. It helps them to feel more confident. :thumbsup: Hey, whatever works. :D

[DarkTirade]

27. But if they feel confident... that might lead to...

boys DANCING with girls! Oh the humanity! :)

[KG]

11. HS sucked.

one of the greatest days of my life was the very last of day of public school.

[Shine]

15. I hear ya.

he'll start HS next fall and it seriously freaks me out to realize that. :D

[crim son]

16. I've been in your shoes a number of times.

I think boys that age are so damned amusing. They're smart as whips and learning how to display their masculinity but still not completely sure of themselves. Plus, they are uncontrollable. My fourteen-year-old has regular sleepovers. I love them but I never sleep.

[Shine]

19. Hi crim son!

:hi:
My son will turn 14 next month. He doesn't do sleepovers as often as my dtr does, but he is planning to have his 14th b'day party be a sleepover with probably this same bunch o' kids. That'll happen in a few more weeks....countdown time. :D

In the meantime, I've gotta get through ShineGirl's 11th b'day sleepover party NEXT weekend, with 6 pre-teenage girls. heheheh. Yup, it's Birthday Season at our house.

Speaking of houses, how's (house) it going in the sales dept?? I'm still sending good wishes your way. :hi: :pals:

[crim son]

26. Thank you for the good wishes.

I'm still sitting on (in, actually) the house and I guess I'm here for another winter. We've dropped the price substantially to suit the market but still, no serious bites. Ah well.

My daughter is sixteen and absolutely never has sleepovers any more. It's strange how they grow up. Thank GAWD I still have the eight-year-old boy to terrorize me and force me to bake cookies. :P

:hi:

[lost-in-nj]

17. OMG I remember those days

when my son was in 8th grade they had the 8th grade dance.....
it was at a local hotel in a ballroom...
my kid NEVER went to dances...

Well on the DAY of the dance he decides he wants to go!!!!
I am thrilled but realize HE HAS NOTHING TO WEAR!!!!!
so we ran all over to get pants, shoes and the perfect shirt....

we made it in time.....
he had a good time to.....

never again....
no teenagers, no preteens.....

ugh

lost

:rofl: :hi:

[Shine]

21. At his school he needs to buy his dance ticket ahead of time

plus the parent has to sign a permission slip, agreeing to pick them up at the specific time, etc, etc... There would be no way he could spontaneously decide to go to the dance, if he hadn't already gotten his ticket. They don't sell tix at the door, either. Weird, but that's the way it's always been.

Sigh...Yup, I've got both: a teenager AND a pre-teen. ShineGirl turns 11 next weekend and we're hosting a sleepover b'day party for her and 6 of her little friends, too. :D

It's fun, but exhausting. :hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

18. I do remember those days!

And only the first half hour was the time I was glad to be there. After that, I couldn't wait to go home.

Too many times it was painful being a young teen. Sometimes fun to dance, other times too much young teen brain and hormone tension.

A confusing time for me.

You are a great mom..you two are great parents...hosting a party like that! :wow:

[Shine]

22. Well, thankfully, it was only an hour and a half

:D that helped.

Yup, teenage-hood is an awkward time.

ShineBoy is thoroughly enjoying being the top of the food chain at his middle school, though. He said that the 8th graders get to be in the "inner circle" on the dance floor, the middle ring is the 7th graders and the outer ring is for the lowly 6th graders. Even at this age they are keenly aware of the social hierarchy. :eyes:

I told him to enjoy it while he can b/c soon enough he'll be in high school and once again, the little fish in the big pond.

:D The truth hurts. heheheh.

[The Straight Story]

20. Did you pass out condoms and birth control pills?

:rofl:

[Shine]

23. Oh gawd....they're still dealing with having the nerve to ask girls to dance

:rofl:

I'm tempted to show up a little bit early and spy on what he's doing. Am I a terrible mother? :evilgrin:

[coffeenap]

24. From my 13 year old daughter: TELL THEM TO DANCE ALREADY!

Thank you in advance for your service. LOL.

[UrbScotty]

25. You beat me to it! (nt)