Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Drama of It All
Although I love many things about my small city on the plains, there are a few things that make me want to beat my head against the wall. Winter formal would be one of those latter things.
It is a tradition that began I don't know when, but continues today - a formal winter dance for the junior high students. I have dealt with this tradition from almost all sides: parent; chaperone; and president of school PTSA hosting it. I have not (AND WILL NOT) deal with it as dance chair. It just seems to add more drama to the ever so drama filled junior high years.
I will just share a bit of our story from this year - don't want to overburden you with all the drama.
Let's begin with our oldest son. He is not really big on this type of event, so my approach with him began just with one question, "Are you going to winter formal this year?" He answers affirmatively, which surprises me a bit, but I am glad he is venturing out for the occasion.
The next question is one that must be asked several times over the weeks leading up to the dance, "Are you taking anyone?" The answer to this question changes often. At first it is no. And then a friend asks him to take her. This creates some drama for reasons I will not go in to, but eventually I must ask. . . .
"Does she want us to pick her up or are you just meeting her there?"
"What color of dress is she wearing?" (Corsage/pictures - he can't fathom the need for this - just trust me.)
"Will she want to take pictures?"
He promises to find out the answers. The next time I inquire about these things - she has decided to go with her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her with 2 girls while they were dating. I assure him she has not made the best choice, but am secretely a bit thankful to not have those complications in our evening.
We manage to find some clothes and the issue of a pre-party to attend works itself out thanks to the POLO house.
Now on to the younger son. There really is no question as to whether or not he is attending. Any sort of social gathering calls to him like a moth to a flame. But I do have to ask if he is going with anyone. I am informed that his girlfriend is a Trojan. This is news to me - have not met her. I quickly adopt a "don't ask, don't tell policy". She is out of our school district and technically is not allowed to attend.
We manage to find some clothes and the issue of a pre-party to attend works itself out thanks to Pink's house.
I drop the boys off at their pre-parties and hang around at each for a bit. The one at POLO house is much more interesting as more and more 9th graders arrive - girls with heels and dresses and cleavage. While trying to snap a group shot of the 23 which were in attendance at that time, we ask Blondie try standing up straight and bending her knees as opposed to the hands on the knees bend over on the front row pose. A world of difference between 7th and 9th graders!!!!!
My oldest son was way out of his comfort zone at the pre-party and was hesitant as we dropped him and others off at the dance. My husband and I discussed this over dinner and were anxious to see how the evening went for both boys.
They were eventually dropped off at home by friends, with cell phone boy in tow. We inquire how the dance was. Our younger son's girlfriend did make an arrival there. That is how he spent his evening. We asked our older son if he had fun and THAT smile came across his face. He glanced at us, his brother, and cell phone boy then said that he danced with one girl all night. I knew the name but, didn't really know her.
"She was at POLO house." Oh my, Blondie!
Well, we sat up for a bit listening to all the stories. It was good to hear them all and know that our boys and their friends really are good kids.
The evening was filled with the perfect amount of drama (for our house anyways)!
simple faith
Although I love many things about my small city on the plains, there are a few things that make me want to beat my head against the wall. Winter formal would be one of those latter things.
It is a tradition that began I don't know when, but continues today - a formal winter dance for the junior high students. I have dealt with this tradition from almost all sides: parent; chaperone; and president of school PTSA hosting it. I have not (AND WILL NOT) deal with it as dance chair. It just seems to add more drama to the ever so drama filled junior high years.
I will just share a bit of our story from this year - don't want to overburden you with all the drama.
Let's begin with our oldest son. He is not really big on this type of event, so my approach with him began just with one question, "Are you going to winter formal this year?" He answers affirmatively, which surprises me a bit, but I am glad he is venturing out for the occasion.
The next question is one that must be asked several times over the weeks leading up to the dance, "Are you taking anyone?" The answer to this question changes often. At first it is no. And then a friend asks him to take her. This creates some drama for reasons I will not go in to, but eventually I must ask. . . .
"Does she want us to pick her up or are you just meeting her there?"
"What color of dress is she wearing?" (Corsage/pictures - he can't fathom the need for this - just trust me.)
"Will she want to take pictures?"
He promises to find out the answers. The next time I inquire about these things - she has decided to go with her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her with 2 girls while they were dating. I assure him she has not made the best choice, but am secretely a bit thankful to not have those complications in our evening.
We manage to find some clothes and the issue of a pre-party to attend works itself out thanks to the POLO house.
Now on to the younger son. There really is no question as to whether or not he is attending. Any sort of social gathering calls to him like a moth to a flame. But I do have to ask if he is going with anyone. I am informed that his girlfriend is a Trojan. This is news to me - have not met her. I quickly adopt a "don't ask, don't tell policy". She is out of our school district and technically is not allowed to attend.
We manage to find some clothes and the issue of a pre-party to attend works itself out thanks to Pink's house.
I drop the boys off at their pre-parties and hang around at each for a bit. The one at POLO house is much more interesting as more and more 9th graders arrive - girls with heels and dresses and cleavage. While trying to snap a group shot of the 23 which were in attendance at that time, we ask Blondie try standing up straight and bending her knees as opposed to the hands on the knees bend over on the front row pose. A world of difference between 7th and 9th graders!!!!!
My oldest son was way out of his comfort zone at the pre-party and was hesitant as we dropped him and others off at the dance. My husband and I discussed this over dinner and were anxious to see how the evening went for both boys.
They were eventually dropped off at home by friends, with cell phone boy in tow. We inquire how the dance was. Our younger son's girlfriend did make an arrival there. That is how he spent his evening. We asked our older son if he had fun and THAT smile came across his face. He glanced at us, his brother, and cell phone boy then said that he danced with one girl all night. I knew the name but, didn't really know her.
"She was at POLO house." Oh my, Blondie!
Well, we sat up for a bit listening to all the stories. It was good to hear them all and know that our boys and their friends really are good kids.
The evening was filled with the perfect amount of drama (for our house anyways)!
simple faith
# posted by simple faith : 2:44 PM
