This is what friends are for

One of my very dearest friends, Cindy, turned 50 this weekend. She and her family were out of town for a sporting event, so our friend Marti and I could not pass up the opportunity to leave a little something special waiting for her when she got home. I kept hoping they wouldn't pull into the driveway as we were setting everything up. I cut out a ton of 50's and Happy Birthday's and we strung them from tree branches, taped them to the door, stapled them to tree trunks, and hung some around the flamingos necks. It was all topped off with a nice big sign wishing her a happy birthday. Now I can't wait for them to get home. I'm thinking of staking out the joint for when they return so I can see her face. I'm sure my phone will be ringing the minute they pull in...

Dance

Hannah had her Farewell Dance on Saturday. The theme was 8th grade at the movies. At first we thought it might be kinda silly, but the decorations turned out sooo cute! They had a giant directors board with all the dance details at the front door, all lit up. The hallways were decked out with lights, disco balls, movie posters hanging from the ceiling and a red carpet lined with papparazzi cut-outs and a huge Oscar at the end. One of the coolest things were some giant movie reels with the film rolling down the hallway and pictures of the kids on the films. The cafeteria was similar with big red and white popcorn boxes filled with white and yellow balloons. Pretty snazzy for a middle school dance!

Hannah attended a party before the dance where parents gathered to take photos and the kids could eat. The dance was a couple hours long and they all complained that it went by too fast. They were having such a great time. A group of kids got together at Culver's afterwards to continue with the evening but were forced to say goodbye when the restaraunt closed their doors at 10. Hannah says the night was amazing and totally fun. She commented that there wasn't even any drama with anyone, something that surprised us both. We all know how teeneagers are ;) I stopped in at the dance for a short time to take a couple pictures, and as I was heading out, the principal commented on how this was a great group. Normally, he said, boys line one side of the room and the girls fill the other. But these guys were really dancing! I am so happy that Hannah was able to have a great time with her friends and make some wonderful memories. It was emotional for me, to see her getting ready. I choked up and cried for a bit when I put her necklace on. I know there will be many dances to come, but I will always remember how fun it was to spend this first time with her shopping, getting her nails done, doing her hair and helping her get ready.