All the events of the week culminated with the "big event" - the homecoming dance last night. Preparation for the dance began around 4pm at our house. It involved curling irons and make up and tape to make sure the dress stayed on. Luckily, it also involved friends, as Erin's mother is of no help in the hair and makeup department.
So, the plan was for 6 "couples" - just friends going together - to arrive at our house at 6:30 for group pictures in our beautiful back yard. Not only did those kids and their parents arrive at 6:30, so did a severe thunderstorm. Ahh, the best laid plans...
We just had to roll with it and cram everyone into our garage and then down to the basement for some photos. We did the best we could.
After pictures it was off to dinner - at Noodles & Company. Very appropriate for a group of freshman who still need their parents to drive them! Then, on to the dance. Erin has a great group of friends and it was kind of fun to meet all the parents and get to know each other a bit. I think the parents were just as nervous as the kids. Dan and I, of course, were cool as could be...
Luckily for us, Erin is so comfortable in her own skin. That's more than Dan or I could say at that age. She organized the group, included everyone, and even called Noodles & Company to warn them that they were coming. She's a take charge kind of kid, with a gentle soul. We think that's pretty cool.
Erin and her friend Liam had a good time together. They were still talking and laughing when I picked the up from the dance, which they said was really fun.
So, another marker in time comes and goes. Life experience helps Erin keep things in perspective, no doubt. It helps her cope and it helps her remember to enjoy each experience she gets to have. Shannon never made it to Homecoming, but in some ways, she helped her sister get there...
