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Let me start by saying that my mom Connie has watched Jon and Kate Plus Eight, a reality show on TLC, for the last year or so. Let me also say that I used to (lovingly) make fun of her for watching it. "Why would you want to watch a show about raising eight loud kids?" Of course, she has the same respect for the shows I watch: "Jane Austen on PBS? Are you trying to put yourself to sleep?"

My mom has been off of work for almost a month now, due to carpal tunnel hand surgery. I also happen to be off for the summer, one of the blessings of being a teacher. Every day, I drive across town to hang out with my mom. We've cleaned the house from top to bottom, organized her closets, and painted her spare bedroom. Actually, I have while she has kept me company. Not a problem, she is nursing her hand back to health. My dad comes home for lunch each day, and the three of us sit around and chat. It's been wonderful spending so much time with Parents who have morphed into Friends over the last few years.

How does Jon and Kate Plus Eight tie in? Each day at 2 o'clock two episodes come on. My first couple of days over at her house, my mom had to convince me to sit down and tune in with her. I would give her a look (tilted head, curled lip, rolled eyes) and a big sigh. She would give me the Pleeeeeease Look and bribe me with a fresh glass of iced tea. So, I would grudgingly flop down on the couch and watch through slitted eyes. Something happened, though. I began to enjoy the show. Within a week or so, I was tuning into the 8am broadcast and it was a race to see who would call each other first at commercial. Somehow it blossomed into us Googling everything Jon and Kate while we watched the afternoon show. There are a surprising amount of blogs and articles out there about this young couple raising a set of twins and sextuplets!

My mom will be returning to work shortly but I must say that our friendship has grown even more over since her surgery. We spend six or seven hours together doing everything and nothing. We've become regulars at the Northwest Promenade's Target and Starbucks. I think we've consumed ten pounds of Jujyfruits, Fritos and bean dip, and her delicious sweet tea. I need her to go back to work so I don't gain ten pounds from the snacking!

I never would have thought I would turn into such a fan of a show but I guess moms really do know best!

As of today, there are only 21 more school days left for your child.... I'm encouraging all parents to say a special "Thank You" to their child's teacher before the school year ends!

As a third grade teacher, I know firsthand what is involved in running a successful classroom. Teachers not only teach, but they act as counselors, nurses, police officers, comedians, and friends to their students. Teachers take papers home to grade, projects to work on, and we are all furiously getting ready for Open House. Not to mention the State Testing that we just wrapped up!

Often times, teachers only hear from the parents when there is a problem or complaint. We are like our students - we need praise, too! Just let us know every now and again that we're doing a good job - it means the world to us. We really love it when you let our principals know! (smile).

So, parents, get on your mark - get set - GO! You have 21 days to make your child's teacher smile!

Thanks for listening....