The joy of turn 13

13 is a magical mumber, it is also a number one will not find when getting on an elevator at a casino. I dont remember turning 13 but I know I did. Growning up as a teen was difficult times for us so we didn't get Birthday Party's. When my kids turned 13 it was a different story. Our kids have lived a different life than my husband and I. We have Birthday Party's for all the major age numbers. When our kids turned 13, 16, 18 and 21 we had big party's. We hired the Lyon's Club each time and had "Casino Night". The Lyon's Club brought Black jack Tables, Roulette and a Craps Table. The kids would earn play money then at the end of the night they would trade it to the dealers for tickets. The tickets would go into a container and the more tickets they had, the more chances they would have for their number to be drawn for a prize. The most fun part is the prizes. We would go to the florist and have money put into about 25 latex helium balloons in different amounts of $1, $5, $10, and $20. We would buy extra prizes and dingy prizes as well. Once the ticket is drawn, my hubby would allow the child to choose a balloon then he would try to negotiate with the child to not take the balloon, kind of like "Let's Make A Deal". We made sure that every child received a gift. When the children were playing the games, it was so quiet. It is a great way to teach them math!! Everyone alway's showed up and they alway's knew they would have good food and great fun with lots of amazing people.