Kids growing up doesn't have to mean growing away from you!

I just wanted to blog a little about the ties that bind us to our kids. Tonight, I played Texas Hold Em' alongside my 10 year old, Jesse, and I was amazed at how he has soaked in all the poker terminology, and how to play in such a short time. His desire to hang out with his family is a major contributor to his desire to learn the games we play. We started out with 7 players betting $3 each. Jesse took 4th place in his first real betting game. This didn't win him any money, but I was so proud of how he handled himself, and was such a pro. He certainly played better, and understood more than I did in my first game!
I ended up taking 2nd for maybe the first time ever, and I got back the $6 I'd put in to cover Jesse and myself. I plan on taking him to Starbucks and enjoying the winnings with him for his hard efforts. He was up until around 2AM, outlasting 3 adults!
He says that Grandpa wants him to start playing with us whenever we do, and I think it's a great idea! Odds are a big part of poker, and how many 5th graders understand odds all that well? Or, just the life lesson of becoming cautious, not expecting gambling to pan out big bucks all the time. He'll learn to become realistic about how much money he gambles REAL fast!
Anyway, besides all the educational aspects, I just really enjoyed hanging out with my two older boys tonight. For really the first time, they joined in on the adults games, instead of watching a movie or playing with their cousins, or a video game.
Travis played a few practice hands of poker, and he sat on my lap and watched the real game for quite a while too. I'm sure it won't be long before he's where Jesse is now.
The other game that they played with all of us is called Mafia. It's basically a strategic lying game. It involves A LOT of communication, and teaches you NOT to be backwards/shy.
It's a lot of fun.
We had some family down from Pennsylvania this weekend for Labor Day, 5 adults, and one baby (almost a year old). They came in on Friday, and are staying until Sunday night. I am so happy that our family is big on hanging out with each other. My kids are growing up in such a rich supportive emotional environment. I treasure that. As well as the fact that most everyone in the family, even the extended members from Pa., are born again Christians.
All together this weekend, the whole group that was hanging out with each other consisted of 9 families represented (not every member got to come), by 14 adults ranging in age from 22 to 53, and 12 children ranging in ages from 5 months to 10 years old... not including myself and Carrie being pregnant at 20 and 15 weeks along respectively. Talk about a range of socialization!
I just thought it was so cool to see my 8 and a half year old, and 10 year old boys playing games and interacting with all of us adults, and having a great time doing so. It's not only great seeing them starting to grow up, it's wonderful knowing that they are growing up WITH us, NOT away from us.