The Dress

We found a dress for LLB's cotillion ball.
It was a bargain at $39.
It is exactly what she wanted.
We had pulled into the grocery store parking lot and decided to check out the discount clothing store. We had just heard from the boys in the family. They told us that they needed another 30 min. before they would be ready to eat. (We were meeting the boys for sushi, thai, pizza, and lo-mein at the grocery store for dinner. Yes, R. I went without you... I'm sorry.) We figured we could sacrifice ourselves and do a little more shopping.
There was one dress in her size on the rack. She looked at it and knew it was "the one". It was just sitting there waiting for us!
It is a little black strapless number with a lace up back - I liked that - I can pull it tight to make sure it stays up. :-)
I need to find a few minutes to have her put it on so I can take a picture.
So - stay tuned. I'll get a picture eventually.

We're going hunting...

Not with a gun - Not THAT kind of hunting. (Although last night LLB WAS talking about successfully hunting for a bear and hanging his head on our family room wall.. Trust me, it's not the decor I was going for...)

We're talking about the shopping kind of hunting.
She needs a ball gown.
She needs to look beautiful for the cotillion ball.
We are going to look at dresses this afternoon.
Wish me and my pocketbook luck.
We are going to need it.

The Ball...

Well, they went.

As they were getting ready, I was fixing something on LLB's dress and #1 needed help with his sleeve buttons. I couldn't do sleeve buttons until I finished what I was doing, but LLB offered to help him. It was sooo cute! She buttoned the first button. When she was finished, he held up his second wrist. She immediately told him that she could do that one, too... OMG! I saw my future flash before my eyes... I saw them getting ready for prom and weddings and... good gracious... where does the time go?

On the way there, #1 said:
"Mom, you know what the best part of Cotillion is?"
"Umm... tell me."
"All the pretty girls!"
He's got his priorities straight!

#1 had a marvelous time.
LLB - not so much. The boys were toads and HP wasn't there.
But, here is her dress:

To those of you who have been checking your email boxes for pix of my children with heads... give me a little more time. Yesterday, instead of uploading the pictures I spent the day organizing 4 closets. I should post after pictures, but I was to embarrassed to take before pictures.

Friday? Already?

It seems like I just got both children back to school and they are going to be home again tomorrow. Not that I mind, but I was just getting my house back.

Tonight is the Cotillion Ball!
#1 has his tux - it only took three tries to hopefully get it right.

The first pair of shoes were too big and his pants were so tight around the legs that he looked like a Beatle - it doesn't matter which one - you pick... He looked pretty funny!

The second pair of shoes had 2 different sizes - an 11 and a 12. One fit... one didn't. The second pair of pants fit great. So they sent him home with the suit and no shoes.

Today I get to go back to get the 3rd pair of shoes. Yes - as in the day of the ball. If they aren't right, I'm getting my $ back for the shoes and he can just wear his black band shoes. They are comfortable, stylish, and they fit. Or, he can just wear his socks and tell the Cotillion Lady that they never got the shoes right.

You all remember that HP isn't going tonight. (He and LLB are going to a different ball in couple of weeks.) Dancing with those other boys with sweaty palms isn't LLB's favorite thing, but hanging with her girl friends makes up for it. A friend let me borrow a really pretty pinky/peachy ball gown, but LLB is set on the teal. (I will put the pinky one on her and take a picture for the lady who loaned it.) I'll show you all some pictures as soon as I get them uploaded. Those of you who know me in real life will receive access to see pix of the children with heads like I have done in the past - so check your email boxes early and often. I know you LIVE for pix of my sweet kids!

The Holly Ball

LLB had her Cotillion Holly Ball last night.
When we arrived home from church at 12:50pm she asked if she could start getting ready. "LLB your chariot does not arrive until 5:30pm. I think you can wait a little bit. Besides, I've got to get your brother out of here by 1:20 since he's helping with year 1."
She was not happy, but she knew I had a point. I told her to be ready to start her hair at 3pm.
We got #1 out the door. He looked great.
We started LLB's hair at 3. We sprayed. We curled. We sprayed some more. This is what we did:

We decided to wait until 4:30 to start the rest of the beautification process - not that she needs beautifying in any way.

Here is the dress:

She looked so beautiful!
At 5:20 we were ready to wait for the chariot - complete with one HP - to arrive. While we waited, she said, "I'm excited. I think I have nervous excitement. Did you know that those feelings are both the same in your tummy? Yesterday I was nervous. Today I'm excited. My tummy feels the same."

Once HP's parents pulled up, she flew out the door. She practically ran to the car. I helped her get in - that's a lot of dress and petticoat to get into a car before the dance -- you have to look good when you get there.

They danced together a lot. When Mr. and I arrived just before 8, they were dancing the foxtrot. The best thing we saw was this: The kids had to find a partner close to their height - they immediately picked each other -- there was absolutely no hesitation there what so ever. Then they had to put a snowball (a whiffle ball) between their foreheads and dance without dropping it. (Mr.'s comment was "That had better be a really big ball...") LLB and HP didn't drop it once! They did have whiffle ball impressions on their foreheads, though! Not only did they not drop it, they danced beautifully and they chatted while they did it! They were too funny!

It took me a while to find #1. He was dancing with a pretty tall girl. I noticed that he managed to keep her as a partner even when they had to swap. So did LLB and HP. Those kids are really slick...

It was a pretty successful night. The only bummer was that when LLB went to get her Pashmina shawl, it was gone. I gave her my winter parka to wear. It was most attractive with her dress...

If any of you want to see the pictures - the ones with heads and faces - email me. If I deem you worthy, you'll receive access.

Cotillion

For those of you who don't have this word in your vocabulary, cotillion is a class that kids take to learn manners and ballroom dancing.

LLB and #1 went back to their respective Cotillion classes yesterday. LLB had fun, but #1 had a fabulous time. He is in Year 3. When he called to check in with me on the way home, he said, "Mom, year 3 is the best! I don't care what people think! This was awesome. I love it! There were lots of gorgeous girls, too!"

Yeah.. that helps...

Dancin' The Night Away

The Cotillion Ball was yesterday.

LLB went early and #1 went late. Someday - I don't know when - they might be able to go together...

Anyway...
Here's LLB:

This dress came all the way from D. Thanks, D!

LLB and HP had a wonderful time at the ball. They laughed and chatted and generally enjoyed themselves. It seems that they were the only two chatting at their table. Here they are as they are waiting to say goodbye to the hostess:

At the end of the ball, the dads got to dance with the daughters and the moms got to dance with their sons. LLB got to dance with her Grandpa and her Dad. When asked who was the better dancer, she replied, "Grandpa"without any hesitation. So, if anyone is looking for a great dance partner, give Grandpa Bug a call!!


Here's #1:

He looks terrific, doesn't he?
I know - they'd both look so much better with heads and faces...

I got to dance with #1. His comment, as he escorted me to the dance floor was, "Real men dance with their moms." He sure does make me laugh!!

#1 was asked to be a Cotillion Assistant next year. He is thrilled! What warm blooded American teenager wouldn't be thrilled? A room full of beautiful girls -- He's so there!!