Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Prom Experience

Cast: Katie, Catlan, The Little Ones, The Moms, and Hundreds of Extras

Soft lighting

Cue sentimental music

Think back years ago to your prom. Well, it may not be years for you but it is for me. Humor me.

Did you do the whole party bus, group picture thing? Did you do the hair and make-up thing? I didn’t but maybe I was a bit on the slow side.

But here in our town, that is the norm. Thankfully, our prom prep was rather low-key, non-stressful, and very UN-dramatic. Whew. Last year? A different story.

Catlan arrived today as Katie was getting dressed. His greeters at the door? Anna Grace and Abby. I had told them emphatically that they could NOT jump on him like they usually do. He was dressed for the special party and could not get his clothes messed up. Thankfully they listened….for once.

Last year, I had to pin on Cat’s boutonnière; Katie just couldn’t figure it out. Today, she was determined to do it herself. Worked out well, fortunately!



Outside for pictures. I wouldn't let the little ones play outside all day so they'd be clean for pictures!!




We then headed out to a local golf club for group pictures with everyone and their brother. Alex, poor soul, had the watch of the little girls. I took them with me last year and it was a nightmare. Heck, they almost destroyed the nail salon on Friday…..offering manicures to strangers. Need I say more?




Cue It’s Raining on Prom Night

We hadn’t been at the club very long before the clouds rolled in and rain began to dump. Picture 200+ people trying to run for cover. We, of course, sent the girls in first. The parents got wet…..or got umbrellas.

Katie wasn’t very thrilled with the change of weather.



But we were able to hook up with some good friends for pictures.




Being in the club with hundreds of people meant wrestling for open space. We found a niche outdoors (but covered) until we heard rumors that the main entrance had thinned out. The kids started heading that way. Tracy, Catlan’s mom, and I headed for the front as well but going out in the rain instead.

We got there and waited….waited….waited…..and waited. No kids. Well, lots of kids but not ours. What’s the deal?

Tracy tried calling Catlan but he didn’t answer. Cat had Katie’s phone but no one answered that one either. Okay then. We searched the club and found nothing. They must be somewhere. But where?

My phone rings. It’s Katie. Where are you? I listen, ask a question, ask again just to be sure I understand. Huh. Where were they?



Yep, the men’s room. Can you imagine the look on some poor golfer's face when he entered the room hoping to use the facilities in peace and quiet?

Turns out, the men’s room had a sitting room area. The kids all hung out there while moms’ took pictures. Too bad neither kid bothered to inform us! But I did take a few.





The bus arrived on time, kids loaded quickly, and they were gone. Headed to a nice dinner in Buckhead before reaching the prom destination.

Another milestone reached…senior prom.

Graduation? Only a few weeks away. Sigh.

Oh that reminds me. I've got to buy waterproof mascara. It’s going to be a tough night.

You know what? It’s hard to watch your babies grow up and leave you. They make you insane all the time but to imagine them leaving is…………

very exciting but very sad too.

Stay tuned for more senior events.

Cue any music to make moms cry

16 comments:

Margaret M said...

Thinking of you! Especially with all those kids at your house tonight! Hugs! 1 event down!

Mei Mei Journal said...

Wow, Katie looked gorgeous! I am sure it is hard to watch them go. You did your job, though. She looks like she is ready to take on the world.

Doug and Terrye said...

Those darn milestones go screaming by so fast...but what a beautiful night :)

Terrye in FL

Denise Grover Swank said...

Katie looks beautiful and Catlan looks like such a nice boy. Yep, it's hard watching them grow up.

At Trace's high school graduation I kept thinking about when he was a baby and a cute (but ornery) little boy. Then he went away to college. And then he came back. And then he brought his girlfriend and her little boy, not that I'm minding. But when they take those big jumps into adulthood you feel like your losing them and the reality is that possibly you're not. It's a different relationship for sure, your child is no longer your baby (even when you have to bite your tongue because you don't like how they are handling a certain situation) but in some ways it's richer because suddenly, after some life experiences of their own, they appreciate you so much more. So while you are saying goodbye to their childhood, you could be saying hello to something wonderful too.

Julie said...

she looks so gorgeous! I can hardly register Mae for 5k. I cannot imagine what I will be like on prom night. cue sappy song like Cinderella by steven curtis chapman. I will admit I cry every time I hear it.

Kim said...

What a beautiful and exciting time it is for your Katie but certainly a hard time on the parents. Letting go is never easy and always comes way to fast. Enjoy these days and cherish the memories! Katie looks just beautiful!

Jboo said...

What fun -- even with the rain -- they all looked gorgeous!!

Better be stocking up on Kleenex -- those senior events get to the Moms! Enjoy!

Janet

The Johnson 5 said...

I love it, the Mens room!

Hey whatever makes it work!!

I'm glad everything went OK for the kids last night. And I'm glad you made it through mom.

20 more days of school!!

The Johnson 5 said...

I almost forgot to tell you!!

I love her dress!!!

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

Your daughter is gorgeous. I love her sweet poses and her silly mugin' for the camera pics too.

And wow! Prom dressed have come a long way since my day!

Carrie said...

oh my word my husband had the same hair as Catlan in High school-hahHA! Wow all those kids at your house-what a great mom you are!

Donna said...

Great post, you should give online lessons on how to blog...I should take notes as I read! Katie looked amazing, but some of those girls looked a little, uh..well, under-dressed? ;)

Kristin said...

Donna, several people have said the same thing to me....about the underdressed part! Yep, times they are a'changin'. I hope they revert back to the "olden" days.....you know, when I was in high school. :)

Gwen Oatsvall said...

beautiful !!!! what amazing memories ...

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh, Kristen... what memories she'll have! The mens room? BwwwaaaaHaHaHa! THAT will be a story to share at reunions 10 or 20 years from now.

Oh, and... the girls all looked gorgeous, especially Katie.

NeuroMama said...

How fun! The dresses sure are a lot more sophisticated than I remember them being for my prom. I won't even mention what my dress looked like. Hideous (although I didn't think so at the time).

Raine