homecoming 2012

Caroline's first high school dance

Last weekend was homecoming for both our teens, and can I even tell you how much FUN it was having two kids involved, especially a daughter.  From the excitement of getting asked, to picking out the perfect dress and matching shoes, and finally sending her out the door to have the time of her life with all her friends . . . it was truly memorable.  First of all, she looked darling.  Caroline is definitely my daughter - it took her all of 30 minutes to get ready: make-up, hair, dressed, DONE (no fancy curls or manicures for this girl).

She went to the dance with one of my favorite young men on the planet, her best "guy friend" since 6th grade, Jacob.  I love this boy, ADORE this kid, and knew he was the only person good enough to take my girl out on her first date (yes, I'm biased).  One drawback was that his soccer game that afternoon went into overtime and he had to have his mom, along with another couple she was driving, pick up Caroline and bring her flowers - how great is that?!

Although I didn't get to witness her first attempt at pinning on a boutonniere (that would have been comical) and see her date personally pick her up, his mom did email over a boatload of pictures that captured their friendship perfectly as the group gathered before they headed out for dinner (to the Spaghetti Factory of course . . . Caroline thought it was pretty cool that even I ate there before school dances back in the day :).

Here you go - a TON of pics, but I had to post them in succession so I can remember the sweet friendship these two share:

I can hear Caroline saying, "OK, enough my friend!"

Really, aren't these two just so cute!!

Miss Caroline - the life of the party

LOVE this group of kids!

Ryan also went to the dance . . .

Poor Ryan won't get nearly the face time his sister did on this post, but I do remember quite a detailed blog post when it was HIS first dance.  Anyway, I was hoping that more pictures would pop up on Facebook, but unfortunately I only have a few from his Homecoming festivities (all the kids instagram now, and I can't figure out how to pull pics off their instagram - ugh).  He and his friends planned an all day activity, so he took off in shorts and a sweatshirt up to Park City (the picture would have been Ryan holding a hanger with his dress clothes, opening the car door while Chris and I wish him well - not that exciting).  I didn't see him until he made his way back home at 2:30am.

At the football game Friday night

The guys . . . it makes me happy that my son sports a bow tie :).

Part of their crew - they were in a group of 42 - yes, all 21 couple reserved a patio area at a sushi restaurant - oh my.  They even all squeezed into one picture at the dance.

Now, THAT is a pic I want to see!

One memory the kids shared that has no picture, but worth recording:

While at the dance a large group had formed a circle and Ryan was in the center doing his thing (whatever that was - dancing apparently :), and he sauntered up to Caroline who was clapping along with the crowd and took her by the hand, led her to the center of the circle and danced with her. OK, melted my heart to hear that story. I'm pretty sure that gesture meant the world to Caroline . . . 

that time of year

I keep telling myself that it wasn't that long ago that my friends and I were in the midst of the excitement and anticipation surrounding high school dances.  But ya, reality kicks in and yes indeed it was a few decades ago (ugh) and I really am old enough to have children experiencing similar rituals . . .

and I LOVE it!!  It is so much fun to be involved in the lives of my teens and I've been such a slacker not to record all the creative ways Ryan has asked (or been asked) to dances, let alone keep up with posting a few pictures.  I believe the only dance I've mentioned on the blog was Ryan's sophomore homecoming dance, so I'm going to try and be better at recording these memories.

As for tonight, he was answered by a darling girl named Liza.  He looked out his window and saw her decorating our front yard with glow sticks and ran outside chasing her up the street right after the doorbell rang.  The little girls love getting out of bed and taking part in the action.  It really was so cool - the entire yard lit up with colorful glo-sticks, and I regret not taking a pic from Ryan's window, but managed to get this:

Ryan's first DANCE

Awww, my son on his very best behavior . . .

Ryan begged and pleaded with us to attend Skyline's Homecoming dance, mainly because all his friends were going, and in Ryan's words "it's going to be SOOOO much fun . . "  So, after much thought and discussion, Chris and I agreed that Ryan (who is still 15 and isn't technically supposed to "date" until 16) could ask a girl to the dance.  We told him we would be supportive under these conditions:

• Mom gets to be 100% involved :-).
• All activities will be supervised by parents.
• The group needs to be at least 4 couples.
• Ryan must wear a nice sports coat.
• And most importantly . . . the girl he chooses to ask must meet our approval ;-).

OK, I had no idea Ryan would allow me to step into his world and actually ENJOY having me there!  Folks, I am confident that we have finally moved past the "oh, no, it's my mom here to embarrass the heck out of me" stage, to the "hey everyone, this is my mom . . . thanks Mom for driving us to the dance . . . hey mom, how do I look? . . . mom, I really appreciated your help" stage, and I couldn't be happier.  Not only has Ryan decided that it really isn't that bad to have your mom involved, but it's alright if your little sister hangs around as well.

Caroline loved being part of the action - we drove up to Jordonelle together to help drive the crew back down the canyon after boating (since when did dances become an all day event?), and the nonstop chatter in the backseat was worth the drive . . . lots of loud male voices all vying for attention from the cute females, and plenty of laughter and fun.  The conversation we enjoyed most took place after we dropped off the girls to get ready and just the boys were left in the car.  They were asking what they should say to their dates' parents when they pick them up, how they should act, how long they should stay, etc . . . it was priceless.

Thanks Ryan for letting me be a part of your life right now.  Thanks for introducing me to your friends with confidence that I won't embarrass you.  Thanks for being the wonderful son you are . . . for choosing great friends who strive to stay strong academically and spiritually.  And most of all, thanks for staying close to your family during these years.  We love you!

Some pics . . .

On the boat with Maddie

We were taking pictures through the window after they were dropped off for dinner -

look how cute and excited they all are!

Caroline and another little sister were the waitresses . . .

thanks to my friend who hosted the dinner at her house.

They all look so grown up!