by Gina Scarpa

 

Last night, TLC unveiled the season premiere of Kate Plus 8. It's a lot like Jon and Kate Plus 8, but without the awkward, tense conversations between the formerly married couple on the couch. Kate has been under fire for much of the last year from the media and the public, from faulting her for the divorce to calling her a bad mother because she is on television so much. Kate Plus 8 gives Kate the chance to change people's minds about her and we start with the arrival of the production crew.

 

For anybody who thought that her children were overworked or thrown into the spotlight against their will, think again. The kids couldn't be happier that the camera and production crews are back in their house and their lives. One even shouted, "We're back to normal!"

 

The sextuplets are turning 6 and Kate has planned a special surprise for them. She's invited her best friend Jamie along on a birthday trip to Orlando. At the airport, Kate finds out that their flight has been delayed and the kids will have to wait an extra two hours to board. Uh oh, meltdown coming! Just as Kate predicted, everyone starts freaking out the minute they get on the plane - complaining about where they're sitting , who they're sitting with, and headphones that don't work right. Thankfully for Kate and Jamie, they all passed out once the plane got up in the air.

 

In Orlando, the family is greeted by two penguins and their trainer from Sea World. Once they arrive at the Discovery Cove, Alexis immediately feels sick and has to stay on the bus with Jamie. The park is amazing and feels totally laid back and low key... well, unless you have seven screaming children who don't want to put on wetsuits.

 

After a little lunch, and a visit with some birds, it's time to climb in the pool with the dolphin. They swam with him, pet him, feed him, played games with him, and even got to ride him. It was absolutely adorable! I can't help but feel bad for Alexis, who is stuck throwing up on the bus with Jamie, and missing out on this awesome experience.

 

Kate, being the good mother that she is, made sure that Alexis got to have the same experience as her brothers and sisters as soon as she felt better. The family heads out on a paparazzi free boat ride and things are going well until they run into a mama alligator that is protective of her territory. There's a whole lot of screaming and carrying on but they're in good hands and safe.

 

The boat takes everyone to a party for the sextuplets and Mady is immediately jealous and upset that the younger ones have had so many parties when their birthday was a week ago. Jon had a party for the kids, Kate had a party for the kids, and now they're doing some big extravaganza in Florida. You can understand why she's feeling the way that she is.

 

Kate gets 3 different piñatas for the 8 kids, one especially for Mady and Cara, and by the end of the day, everyone is smiling and having a good time.

 

 

Kate Plus 8 airs Sundays at 9/8c on TLC.

 

(Image courtesy of TLC)

 

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