Jon & Kate

Jon picked up his adorable tots from the school bus stop near their home in Pennsylvania this afternoon. The sextuplets turned six today.

A source close to Kate tells TMZ she has offered to let the kids see Jon this afternoon -- even though it isn't technically his day in the custody agreement.

We're told Kate plans to cook the kids a special birthday breakfast, ship 'em off to school, and then Jon could have the kids in the afternoon ... should he so choose.

Jon flipped through ex-wife Kate Gosselin's memoir "I Just Want You To Know: Letters To My Kids On Love, Faith, and Family" yesterday at a mega-store in Pennsylvania.

The 35-year-old mother of eight showed off her flat stomach while heading to an organic cafe in Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

The judge in their bitter custody dispute has ordered both Jon and Kate to complete a 3-hour parenting class titled "Children in the Middle" -- a requirement for all parents involved in a custody war in Berks County, PA.

We're told Jon and Kate will NOT be required to take the class together -- in fact, parents are often encouraged to take separate classes ... for obvious reasons. They have until June 8 to complete the class.

As for the course material -- the parents will learn about the dangers of exposing their children to loyalty conflicts ... like when one parent talks smack about the other parent's financial situation.

A rep for the Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor and Industry tells TMZ the correct paperwork for the show was submitted and approved ... and said, "The proper steps have been taken and the kids are permitted for 'Kate Plus 8.'"

But according to the rep, nothing has been submitted for Kate's other TLC spin-off "Twist of Kate" -- which could mean the kiddies may not be joining Kate on that one.

Gosselin tells TMZ, "I never wanted primary custody, he [attorney Anthony List] filed for that. I only wanted a more flexible custody schedule so I could be with my kids."

But List tells TMZ, "Jon signed off on everything."

Jon, who is pissed that List spoke with the media, insists he wants to pay child support, adding, "I just can't afford the $22,000 a month right now. That is why I'm trying to find a job."

As for what type of job ... Jon says, "I would like a job in some aspect of TV, probably as a host."

Jon's lawyer, Anthony List, tells TMZ, "'Dancing with the Stars' is just the tip of the iceberg for Kate, as surely there will be many other projects to take its place soon."

List notes ... Kate has already signed on for two new shows -- both on TLC. And, he scoffs, "She's always promoting something ... and most of the time it's herself."

Jon is asking the court for primary custody of their 8 kids. He also wants child support from the parent who is hands down becoming the breadwinner in the dysfunctional family.

Kate -- and her 8 -- are staying at the swanky Beverly Wilshire hotel for "Dancing with the Stars" -- and we're told the kids enjoyed a relaxing Monday at the pool with their nanny while Kate prepped for last night's show.

Meanwhile, Prez Obama's in town until Wednesday to lend his support to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) during her campaign for re-election.

Kate was headed into the Discovery Channel upfronts (industry speak for 'look what we have') last night for her upcoming shows "Twist of Kate" and "Kate Plus 8" -- where she said "typically you don't work with your ex-husbands." Typically.

Kate's lawyer, Mark Momjian, tells TMZ ... although Kate is making good money now -- we're told hundreds of thousands of dollars on "Dancing with the Stars" -- "she won't let him off the hook for child support, no matter how much money Kate makes."

Momjian says Jon has a responsibility to work and must pay child support commensurate to his salary. If that means getting a job at a restaurant, some of his paycheck should go to the kids, regardless of what Kate makes.

Momjian says, "He will have to contribute. It's every parent's responsibility."

In documents just released to the public, The Bureau of Labor Law Compliance says it never obtained evidence proving the show abused the rights of the children.

But ... there are new stipulations the show must abide by -- including putting away "at least 15% of the gross proceeds of this show and future shows" that will be put into a trust until the kids are 18.

Kevin Kreider just testified in the child welfare hearing in PA that the 8 kids were forced to fake Xmas during the filming of "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

Kreider claimed the production crew needed to get a shot, showing a big reaction when the kids came downstairs to unwrap their gifts.

So the crew made the kiddies fake a reaction, Kreider claims.

Kevin Kreider and his wife Jodi just testified at a Philadelphia hearing on child labor laws and reality television shows. Kevin said the kids had no privacy during the taping -- even their potty training was captured on video.

Kevin also said the kids suffered psychological damage as a result of the show, adding there were safety issues in the house, including large lighting equipment that created a danger.

During his testimony, Kevin said the Gosselins' kids were manipulated by producers who wanted drama.

UPDATE: Kevin's testimony is interesting ... considered a potty training scene was filmed at his house.

TLC tells TMZ the allegations are "either completely inaccurate or a distorted representation for maximum attention."

For starters -- Kate's lawyer, Mark Momjian, claims Jon went to the wrong court for child support. Momjian raises other technical issues and wants the case tossed.

Momjian scoffs at Jon and his lawyer in legal docs, "There is no 'Jon Gosselin' exception to the Pennsylvania [law]."