My son graduated last year. Like the above poster, I did it the weekend after graduation. I used disposable plates, napkins, cups in the school colors and balloons to decorate. We had a crowd; well over 100 people. I did the picture collages and a video that played on a laptop going through his birth to graduation pictures and videos all set to music. It was wonderful. I also had some of his school work and artwork from the elementary grades, some of it was so funny! Lots of sports memorobilia too as he is an athlete. I made a lot of food! My son's requests were his favorite chicken pasta salad and a chocolate fountain; both were big hits. Since it was his party I wanted to include him in the menu too. We did not serve any alcohol but we did order a Root Beer keg from the liquor store. We put some prefilled cups with ice cream in a cooler so people could make floats but I think most just drank the Root Beer. We went through a 16 gallon keg in a little over 3 hours. It was outside on the deck because it gets sticky. Guest really loved it and I got a lot of good comments. I set up a volleyball net in the back yard. After the official hours of the party, the teenage guests stayed and played some very competitive volleyball for a couple hours and I served them leftover sandwiches, salads, fruit and punch. I suggest you designate someone with your camera to get pictures of your DD with guests, grandparents, aunts, uncles, special friends, etc... you'll be much too busy and you'll appreciate having the pictures later. Have fun and find someone to help you so you can take some time out of hostessing to enjoy your guests. Maryp

My husband and I just returned from a weekend getaway with just such a situation as you describe..."fully equipped" kitchen and with us in the mode of hanging out watching the sun set over the ocean rather than driving into town to eat etc. We do this twice a year, for a long weekend, and I've gotten quite expert. The accouterments of the "fully equipped" kitchen tend to change, so I always bring some basics. The important thing is to remember is kitchen items can play double roles in situations like this. A frypan can double as a lid for a large pot, a mixing bowl can serve as a serving dish or a soup tureen. Ziplock bags are your friends. And a roll of saran wrap and foil can save you in any number of problem situations. I find it helpful to write out a menu listing for all meals. Saturday breakfast, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner...etc. Once this is accomplished, it is much easier to think about what special utensils or seasonings you might need to bring. The menu, once written, is not chiseled into stone by any means, but it gives you a framework for packing. When you visualize making any given meal, you will find yourself suddenly remembering that you would need this or that which you hadn't thought of. I have also found it a good idea to pack a few food items to cover, "just in case." Tins of smoked oysters, sardines, pate, Vienna sausages, crackers, a can or two of fruit, olives, pickles,some cheese, a few Top Ramens or Cup O'Noodles, cans of Campbell's soup, chili or pork and beans. Whatever quickie foods your family would eat without mutiny. These come in handy for the unexpected incident or the instance where the one whom everyone depends on to cook gets a bad headache or something.

In her twisted mind there is nothing wrong with having them eat before they get to her house... And I don't have a problem packing them food to bring ... guess my point is she doesn't even appreciate it .. she demands/expects it. Its not the kids fault I have never blamed them it just sucks that we have to answer the questions. The money isn't that big of a deal its more a point because that is all she cares about is money if she had to pay $25.00 a week it would get under her skin. Our response to most of the questions is ... She's at work ask her when you see her. And when the kids ask about money we say do you have everything you "need" answer __ but I "want" when you have a job you can get what you want until then you get what you "need" but I "want" then "earn it". The bus stop is 3 houses away ... I check the mail at the same time the bus is coming so not to look like i am checking to see if she is there, but I am there if she isn't She doesn't sse anything wrong in what she does. I send notes back and forth with the kids and a calendar so she can write down the days and times she will pick them up. Its our communication journal. She called at 930 last night to talk to the kids (bedtime is 830) and to ask if she can change days and have it done by court order so she can be released from work ... if its a court order they can't schedule me on those days .. we were in court 2 weeks ago!! why didn't you ask then so now she got her reduction in child support on the grounds she would take the children more... now she wants to change visitation so she sees them less... I have told hubby i feel like a daycare worker ... I have the kids from 8 am to 5pm until a parent comes home or picks them up and they get dropped back off at 8 am. can it be put in court orders who ever has them at 9 12 and 6 must feed them breakfast lunch or dinner??

Imani, I really feel like you need to back away and REALLY thoroughly assess what your personal goals are. From reading your posts I get the distinct feeling that you haven't taken that cold, ultra realistic look at your fiance and his children that you definitely need to. At 24 years of age, there is NO WAY that I think any woman is prepared to be a stepmother--let alone to three children. I know that I certainly wasn't--even at 30 when I became a stepmother I wasn't prepared. It is BY FAR the most difficult thing I have ever done, and I have two wonderful children who like me too--genuinely good kids. This feeling is totally illustrated in your above post. I do think that asking three young children to be quiet in the morning is asking a lot. They're very young. Yes, they need boundries, but they also need to expend that energy that they have in the mornings. You just can't stick a heel on their heads. You refuse to get up at 6 a.m. You fiance does. It's his JOB to get up with them. Being tired is all a part of it. Gonna happen. Too bad. (BTW, if someone told me that they refuse to do something, I'd toss 'em on their ear.) Those kids are interrupting your sleep? Too bad. You seem to want to be a stepmother when it's convenient--as long as the kids behave and don't interrupt your sleep. Honestly, it makes me laugh. ...and what's with this whole not eating until 9 or 10? My kids would be whining and miserable if they had to wait 3 or 4 hours after they got up to eat. Based upon this post, I don't see you as anywhere near ready to take on the RESPONSIBILITY of stepparenting. You're already complaining about stuff, and you haven't even started....