Manners Please!

Manners: Ways of behaving with reference to polite standards; social comportment

Etiquette: Conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.

Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back.
Thomas Sowell

Grandma Connie decided she would like to host a formal dinner for her grandchildren to help establish and practice good manners and etiquette.  She made beautiful invitations that asked each child to make sure they dressed in dressy clothing and told them to bring pajamas, and extra clothes as she would be having a slumber party afterwards.  My kids were so excited.  They asked for days "how many more days until grandma's party".  Finally the day arrived.  Around 5:00 pm they started to get ready.  When they had finished I drove them to grandma's and the fun began.  Grandma had prepared an elegant 5 course meal and had set her dining room table with china, silver, stemware, and candles. The children all sat around the table and after Brody said the blessing the first course was served: cream of broccoli soup.  Grandpa was told he could either help serve or he would be banned to the bedroom. So....off to the bedroom he went.  After Grandma served the soup she put frozen lemonade ice cubes in every one's glass and topped it off with Sprite.  When it was Brody's turn to receive the sprite he told Grandma that he didn't want any.  Not knowing that Brody had given up soda pop and had not drank any for almost 3 months she tried to talk him in to having just a little.  As I listened to the conversation I couldn't help but reminisce about the times I had heard these exact same words spoken to me while growing up as peers were trying to influence me to do something I knew wasn't right..."you can have just a little bit" or "come on Brody, just try it" and "try it, if you don't like it, you don't have to drink it" and finally "one little taste is not going to hurt you". Each time he responded with "NO, I don't want any!" or "I don't care! I'm not going to have any!" As I listened to his response each time, tears welled up in my eyes and all I could think of was what a strong little boy he was and how proud I was of him for sticking to the choice he had made about not drinking soda pop.  Even though this was a choice that seemed insignificant, it mattered to him and he had already made up his mind he was not going to drink soda at all until after he was finished playing sports.  I can only hope when he is faced with bigger, more important temptations he will have the same strength to say NO.  No matter how much "peer pressure" he receives. Ok, lets move on!  Second Course: cottage cheese fruit salad.  I was surprised how well the children ate.  Most of them cleaned their plates with every course.  Third/Fourth Course: roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and a roll. And finally Fifth Course: Desert!!! Grandma had made Ice Cream cake rolls, and they looked beautiful.  She had gone to a lot of work and I know that my kids really, really enjoyed themselves.

Grandma with Brody and Haylie before everyone arrived.  Don't they all look nice?

Haylie was a little sad because her dress got caught on a nail and gathered the lace a little when she came in the door but it was only a matter of time before she found her smile again.

Ready for dinner.  Eating at a beautifully set table made them feel extra special.

She sure has some cute grandkids.  

Grandma and her grandchildren minus Mitch, Lex, Keldon, and Emma.  Mitch and Lex had the rare opportunity to go visit Emma, Tamara, and Andrew in Texas.  I know their company was greatly appreciated by the Walton family but my kids missed them at this party.  Maybe next time!

Grandma serving the kids.  They thought this was pretty cool!

They were all very well behaved and used their manners and proper etiquette that grandma had spoken to them about. 

After dinner was over the fun began.  Grandma taught them how to dance.  They learned the Hokey Pokey, Bunny Hop, and Cotton Eye Joe.  That's all my kids could talk about the next morning.

Trying to get a picture of them dancing without them knowing I was there.  They looked like they were having a lot of fun.

Connie did an excellent job making each and everyone of her grandkids feel really special.  I appreciate her willingness to spend time with the children and having a unique way of always tying together the theme of the party with good values and morals. Thank you Grandma...the kids are already looking forward to the next "Grandma party!"