Conference moira::parenting

    We are supposed to go to a party at a friend's house that we go to
    every year, but I would rather stay home.  We managed to go to a nice
    dinner last new year's eve (without children) and then go back to one
    couple's house (with children) and played games, had dessert and
    welcomed the New year without a ot of noise.  I truly believe it was
    one of the nicest New Year's eves I have had in along time.
    
    Here is wishing you all an enjoyable and safe New Year!
    

    I am working from home New Years, no big deal.  For years we have made
    the invitation to friends to come over if they wish, but if they drink
    to plan on sleeping over.  We have lots of floor space and I make a big
    pot of menudo for NYD breakfast.  Before you shudder, it is an old
    southwestern tradition for nights of over indulgence, and if you can
    keep it down it really does help.
    
    the fireworks on the Peak (if it isn't cloudy) are pleasantly visible
    from our neighborhood which is my major indulgence each year.  
    
    Things to hate, No NYE 95 stories from my best friend this year as
    Jerry is gone, SNIFF!  one less tradition to look forward to.
    
    meg

    
    My folks will be flying in from MA for New Year's.  We will 
    go out for Chinese food, as always, then come home and play
    games - cards, dominoes, yahtzee etc....Hopefully, we will
    be able to see the fireworks on the Peak.  I have been here
    4 years and we have not seen them yet 8*(   We will manage
    to stay awake until midnight and have a glass of champagne
    and hit the sack.  
    
    It will be a quite evening but spent with the most important
    people to me, which is always special!
    
    I hope everyone has a happy celebration.
    Pam

    I'm thinking on just hanging in.  I haven't gone "out" for 
    New Year's, ever!  Mostly just house parties, and then the
    past few years, up to my friend's big farm house in Vermont.
    But last year (Angeline was just a few months old) I couldn't 
    go.  
    
    You know what?  I didn't feel like I missed anything!  I had my
    daughter and life was good.  
    
    Going those years to a "safe" (no driving anywhere) place has
    really spoiled me.  I don't want to be out anywhere anymore.
    I don't really have many friends that would come over (other
    plans, children they don't want to move, etc....) so I guess
    it'll be me and my Sweet Pea, sound asleep by 11:00 again  :-)
    
    							cj *->

    We plan on taking the two little kids to dinner with us (a treat for
    them) since the older kids have paying babysitting jobs.  Then
    home to enjoy the kids.  So many times we make plans to be out for the
    night and after dinner we want to be home to tuck the little guys in.
    
    This year maybe I'll stay up until midnight - but I can't guarantee it
    - after all, my little guy likes to be up at 6 (no matter what time he
    goes to bed).
    
    Wishing everyone a safe and happy new year!
    Chris
    

    Let the children have a sleepover on New Year's eve and have a pot luck
    lunch/supper with friends on New Year's day...then the parents can pick
    up the kids.
    
    The New Year's day thing has become tradition at my house. Families,
    especially those who don't go out on the eve, look forward to it. Bake
    a ham and make it easy on yourself.
    
    Last year we got a big cake with those number candles (1995) and the
    kids sang happy birthday to the new year. 

My husband and I never liked going out on New Year's Eve, even before we had
children.  We preferred spending a quiet evening at home, safe from the hazards
of drunk drivers.  

When I was growing up, my mother made a party for us.  She'd make all kinds of 
hors d'oevres and we'd stay up and watch the specials on TV.

Last year, we started our own NYE tradition.  We got together with friends who
have children too.  We had dinner at their house and spent the night playing
games while the children played together.  This year, they're coming to our
house.  

On New Year's Day, we usually go to my husband's grandmother's for Chinese
food.  We may take over that tradition, since she's not up to entertaining 
large groups anymore (she'll be 90 next month!).

Wishing you all a safe and healthy New Year!

Sheryl

    We are celebrating with 10 other families.  Since nearly all of them
    have 2 kids, there will be 40+ people at our house!
    
    We are starting the party at 4:00 EST, but ringing in the new year on
    London time (7:00 EST).  This will let the kids make a lot of noise,
    plus get everyone home before the drunks are out.
    
    I bought plain party hats for the kids to decorate.  I have some noise
    makers, and the kids will make the rest.  I got a sitter to oversee the
    kids and make sure they all remain alive.
    
    The kids get the family room (18' by 18') and the adults get the rest
    of the house.  Dinner is a potluck.  I'm getting excited!  I'll let you
    know how it all turns out...
    
    judy

	I'll be working BINGO! for the Hudson Youth Center New Years Eve
	selling charity (why do they call them that!) tickets..  We asked
	the players a few weeks ago how many people would be interested
	in New Years Eve Bingo, and most responded Yes!

	So, if your looking for for something to do, stop by the Hudson
	Boys Club (Hudson Mass) and support the Youth Center!!   We're
	also putting on a free buffet for the players.  Bingo starts at
	6:00 p.m.  Food earlier!

	(Bingo gets over by 10:00/10:30)

	/Robin

Last year we had the kids go to a 'sleep over' at the daycare, put on by a few
of the teachers.  We headed out for a casual dinner and a movie and picked the
kids up around 10:30 p.m.  That got us home before all the DWIs hit the streets.

This year we planned the same but the party won't be happening so we'll all go
out for an early dinner around 5 and then go to a 7 or 7:30 movie and then home. 

We'll have to downgrade the movie from Golden Eye to something the kids can see.

Staying up until midnight really hasn't been a big thing on New Years Eve so
we'll just call it a night after the movie.

Dave

    
    	We're getting together with five other couples and their kids.
    
    	I don't know if any of us plan to stay until midnight.  I was
    	told to bring the kids, and their PJ's, and they'd find room
    	to put them down to sleep if I wanted that.
    
    	It should be quite and enjoyable.