When I was a little girl, it wasn’t a party unless my hair was curled (think Shirley Temple but black hair of course!) and my dress was new. When I was a teenager it wasn’t a party unless the boys were pimple faced, awkward and wouldn’t dare to speak to you, but did ask somebody who asked somebody who you are. In the college days it wasn’t a party, unless the music was loud (Madonna, Prince, Boy George, yes, I am THAT old!), and one of your friend’s was nursing a broken heart so you could drag her to the dance floor for Whitney Houston’s “I wanna dance with somebody who loves me”…
Last Sunday we hosted my Mom’s 63rd birthday party at lunch time. We ate for 4 hours straight and just sat around enjoying time with extended family when Perry (9 yrs old) comes up and says “Mom, this is NOT a party!” I asked him why not? His response: “At a real party, people have red plastic cups in their hands, sometimes with name tags and they walk around talking to each other. You guys are just sitting here with empty hands and just hanging out.” Until then, I seriously thought we were having a party…
So I asked my husband for his definition of a party. His response: “A cigar and good scotch.” I asked Ava (5 yrs old) of her definition of a party. Her response: “Only girls, butterflies, a pink cake, and a girl story book.”
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Family Principles
Can you tell both David and I have been in consulting way to long? It seems as if we are incapable of having a conversation that does not involve principles, goals, mission, target states, roadmaps etc. etc.
During a family dinner, I asked all to come up with some principles that we as a family should live by and the kids wanted to know what that means. We were both tempted to start consulting speak when sanity took over and I said “just some nice rules for you all to remember way after I am dead!”. Ava chimed in: “Parents should never yell at their children”…. Sigh, do we really yell at them that much? Perry pipes in: “Parents should give children all the money they want without chores attached to them.” “Not happening” Mr. Perry. They goofed around for a little while longer covering all the “No farting” “No Pooping” and what not that kids their age bring into every conversation, but I must say, I am so proud of all. Here are the 10 Mentzer Principles all agreed on:
1. Love God
2. Surround yourself with people who love you.
3. Oost West, Thuis Best
4. Be Thankful
5. Have Integrity
6. Work Hard, Play Hard
7. Assemble a Family that includes friends
8. Read
9. Travel
10. Embrace all cultures
During a family dinner, I asked all to come up with some principles that we as a family should live by and the kids wanted to know what that means. We were both tempted to start consulting speak when sanity took over and I said “just some nice rules for you all to remember way after I am dead!”. Ava chimed in: “Parents should never yell at their children”…. Sigh, do we really yell at them that much? Perry pipes in: “Parents should give children all the money they want without chores attached to them.” “Not happening” Mr. Perry. They goofed around for a little while longer covering all the “No farting” “No Pooping” and what not that kids their age bring into every conversation, but I must say, I am so proud of all. Here are the 10 Mentzer Principles all agreed on:
1. Love God
2. Surround yourself with people who love you.
3. Oost West, Thuis Best
4. Be Thankful
5. Have Integrity
6. Work Hard, Play Hard
7. Assemble a Family that includes friends
8. Read
9. Travel
10. Embrace all cultures
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