Cinderella and the Ball

The biggest event in my daughters life this year, the 8th grade dance, finally came and alas, went last night. From the moment she came home from school, it was a complete flurry of activity from a set "I need to get ready" itinerary she had put in place this week. First, a shower. Must have clean hair frothed with Aussie styling mousse. She was very specific when she sent me to the store. It MUST be Aussie. No other kind will do. Check! Aussie procured. After her shower, she walked around with a towel on her head to make sure the mousse was set and her hair had just the right amount of crinkle. This is very important. We must not go to a dance without well crinkled hair. Second, must chatter on Facebook about upcoming dance. Who will give who a ride at what time. Where is the meet up? Some protestations because some of her posse were unreachable via Facebook and cell phone and it was just T minus 3 hours to the dance and she did not have their itinerary. One of her friends decided at the last minute that she did not like her shoes and went out to buy new ones. The fact that my daughter couldn't reach her for an hour was a HUGE problem. Third, bug mother to pick up 5 year old from daycare early as mother MUST have the coach ready to go by 6pm. Fourth, make sure she has digital camera charged and ready to go. OH NO!! WHERE IS CAMERA??? That spewed 15 minutes of nastiness while she ran around trying to keep the towel on her head for that well crinkled hairdo, while tossing pillows and clothing around trying to find where she left it. "Try the bathroom", I said. 30 seconds later, she emerged with camera. Fifth, contact friend across the street and make sure she comes to do her makeup as promised. Friend calls back and says she is working and won't be home until 6pm. OH NO!! That won't do at all. The coach MUST leave port at 6pm. Well, I said, "Do your own makeup." Mother receives a nasty look for the suggestion. Sixth, bug mother that it is now 4:30, T minus 90 minutes to departure, and mother has not yet left to pick up annoying little sister. Mother sighs, finishes what she is doing and leaves to pick up 5 year old from daycare. When mother returned, she walked into a hornets nest because Cinderella's bangs did not crinkle like she wanted and she was upset her hair did not come out as envisioned. Furthermore, her friend was not back from buying shoes and it is now T minus 45 minutes to departure. Seventh, practice walking in high heeled shoes. Eigth, picture time! Snap at mother for wanting to take a few pictures before the dance because she is off schedule due to the hair, makeup and shoe problem. As she wanted her memory card clear for the dance, we also had to schedule time to upload the photos to the computer. 6:10, Cinderella enters the coach and the coachman drives the girls to the meet up point. They are the first to arrive. Coachman drops them off and tells them she will pick them up at 10 before the coach turns into a pumpkin.

Last, dance, smile, remember, cry. The 8th grade year is complete. Some friends will be going to different schools next year. A new phase of life begins in August.