Senior Formal

Tonight is Senior Formal at Second Baptist.  Senior Formal is clearly a Texas thing ... or maybe it is a Houston thing ... I have never heard of anything like it anywhere else.  Senior Formal is put on by the Senior parents.  Each Senior is given two tickets to give away to two underclassman couples.  Needless to say, for a few weeks, the Seniors are VERY popular. 

Torrey was asked by a boy in her class.  One day Torrey was in the hall with her friends when the Dean of Students told her he had her tardy slip.  She tried to tell him wasn't tardy, but he was insistent.  When he handed her the tardy slip, it said "Will you go to Senior Formal with me?  Jay"  When she went out in the hall, Jay was standing there waiting for her ... and her answer.

It made me laugh when I heard how she was asked.  Last year she missed too many English classes and during exams she had to sit in the Dean's office to "make up" the class.  She was thoroughly embarrassed ... mostly because she was called out of class and everyone knew she was in trouble.  Almost every day this year I have told her to not get called to the Dean's office again and to stay out of trouble.  HA!  

If you are a Senior girl at Second Baptist, you can wear cocktail length dresses in any color.  All other girls have to wear floor-length black dresses. I guess it is a way to keep the underclassman in their place ... I doubt they thought the girls would look so stunning.

 Torrey and Gram ... once upon a time, Gram was taller than Torrey.  Um, no longer the case!

 Quick pictures before we left to meet her friends ... mostly so I could send them to family.

 Torrey and Jay actually went to the dance with a large group of friends ... they all met at her friend's gorgeous house to take pictures and wait for the party bus.

 Dean posted this picture on Facebook with the caption "I can't feel my legs" which is a line from the movie "New in Town" ... and it really was true.  And, see the necklace Torrey is wearing?  It is the diamond from my original engagement ring.  It really looked perfect when she put it on.

 The girls ... I figure there will be a lot of this going on tonight.  

 How long until the Seniors realize that making the girls wear long black dresses was a mistake?!

 The boys ...

 Dean and Torrey ... Dean held up pretty well.  

 The girls ... they were all gorgeous.

 All of the kids ... and those stairs were pretty amazing.

 Hey ... it's my blog and she's my girl and I will crop out the other kids if I want to!

 We took them outside for pictures ... they lined themselves up like this.  Oh.  My.  Word.  At this point they were ready for us to leave!

 It took a few minutes, but we finally got them all lined up properly.  I would like to add that these are some of the nicest kids you would ever meet.  They are kind and funny and know what is important in life.  They are going to change the world someday.

 Again ... my blog.  Cropping can be a good thing.

 And this look says "Where is that party bus?!"

 And, for real I tried to leave, but then they would get themselves cute again and I had to take just one more picture.  

 I would adopt Dara if I could ... totally love her.  Torrey knows how to pick her friends.

 This was going to be the last picture of the girls ... I was headed for the door after this one ... for real.

 And then they sat on the stairs and looked cute.  While they were here the party bus arrived.  The kids cheered ... I think mostly because they knew the parents were going to leave!

Torrey and Jay on their way to the party bus.  One of the mom's had the great idea to take their pictures as they left the house ... the kids thought it was hokey and the parents thought it was great.  For the record, I did not climb on the party bus to take pictures.  I'm thinking I should get extra credit for that.

Can't wait to hear how her night goes!  On the way to her friend's house I mentioned prom and Dean started to hyperventilate ... hopefully he'll get used to the fact that our girl is growing up before prom gets here!

iPhriday ... the dress edition

Torrey has been invited to the Senior Formal at her school.  Because she is not a Senior, she has to wear a floor-length black dress.  Not only did it mean a new dress, it meant a fun-filled day of shopping.  I took pictures of our choices to send to my sister to get her help.  Fortunately for us she was helping ... we almost made a big mistake. 

 Our first choice.  We liked.  I realized pretty quickly this wasn't going to be as easy as I thought it would be.

 The side view of the dress ... there was beading along the side and I wanted Jen to see the slit.  It went on the maybe pile.

 Torrey really liked this dress.  It was pretty comfortable which is why it moved to the top of the list and stayed there.

 The back of the dress ... 

 Dress #3.  It was my favorite.  She had a hard time with this one because it was a size 6 and she is a 2 (if only this could be my dilemma EVER!)  Fortunately the time I have wasted spent watching "Say Yes to the Dress" paid off ... with a few strategically placed binder clips she was able to get a feel for what the dress would look like on her for real.  Dress #2 is still her favorite ... this one is mine and Jen's.

 Still not loving the dress ... mostly because it was freaking her out how big it was on her.

 And this, kids, is what a $550 dress looks like.  It went on the no pile as soon as we saw the price.  It did look pretty on her though.

 This is the back of the far too expensive dress ... pretty sure that train would have been a total pain.

 Didn't love this dress ... ever.  We sent the picture to Jen for fun.

 Even pulled back it is no good.  She couldn't get it off fast enough.

 Here is where Torrey is trying to convince Jen that this one should be the winner.  We actually bought this dress ... and then got a text from Jen and while we were still at the register switched to dress #3.  Phew ... disaster averted!

 We stopped at the tailor before we went home ... she was able to make the dress fit like a glove.

 It was at this point that Torrey realized Jen was right ... she was super glad she didn't get the second dress.

Since her date is almost her height, Torrey decided she was going to get a flat shoe.  We found these adorable shoes at a fantastic price.  I'm pretty sure she will have the most comfortable feet at the formal!

Come back tomorrow to see our girl before her big night.  Pretty sure Dean will be a wreck!

iPhriday ... the Catch Up Edition

Well, I guess you could say I am a tad behind on iPhriday ... if a "tad" is what you can call not posting for almost two months.  I think about posting ... but, the need for doing laundry or feeding my family or school or sleep sort of take precedence.  School has been kicking my butt ... I love my little class, but, boy!  Have I been busy.  Here are a few of the pictures I have taken these past few months.  Be warned ... you might want to get some coffee first!

 Clearly the dogs were in bed when these two ventured downstairs ... the love affair between Nikita and the dogs lasted long enough for the pictures in my last post.

 Torrey and I went school shopping before getting her hair cut (trimmed) ... she thought I might give in with these shoes.  Um, no.  Especially since they made her legs look even longer ... if that was possible!

 Kirsten came over to spend the night.  Dean was gone, so the girls decided a trip to Benihana's was in order.  Deliciously great idea!

 Still at Benihana's ... here is our chef cooking our dinner.  He was good at what he does.  And funny too.

 Happy girl ... with a smidgen shorter hair.  She is growing up too fast!

 With the start of school comes the long drive to school in the mornings.  I have come to rejoice in the drive though .... because I get to see this sky.

 Same morning ... different part of the journey.  The sky is glorious.  Absolutely glorious.

 Good morning sunshine!  I made Torrey let me take her picture when we got to school because she always wore her hair like this when she was little.  I haven't seen her wear it in this fashion for quite some time.

 I have seen this view while on the playground for the past 5 years ... it only took me 700 days to finally take a picture of my view!

 Closer view ... love seeing the tip of the steeple of the sanctuary through the trees.

 Torrey and I made a stop one Wednesday night while killing time until dropping Torrey off at youth group.

This was my view before our meal arrived.  Sometimes technology isn't such a good thing ... although she would probably disagree. 

 I lost my charm bracelet.  Dean replaced it and put on two more charms.  Stella (one of my Kinderfriends) asked me one day why I had a garbage can on my bracelet ... it makes me giggle every time I look at that little coffee cup.

 Got this exciting text message one morning ... it wasn't unexpected, but it was still exciting!  We will be getting a new niece/cousin on June 23rd next year.  Can't wait!

 This picture makes me laugh .... look past Sophie and you'll see Zoey sleeping on the couch and Zack sleeping on the floor.  Someone got a dose of bravery this night!

 Remember when I shared about little brother and sister coming home in this post?  Well, here is little brother sitting between two of his brothers.  He is loved.  And so is little sister.

 The moon.  In the morning.  I knew.  I knew it was going to be one of THOSE days.  It did not disappoint.  Oh, full moon .... how I despise you.

 We have spent a lot of time watching this.  A lot.  A lot.  We have a week and a half left of the season ... Dean and I are beyond giddy.  Because between games and practice the getting home after 6:30 at night is on my last nerve.  

 It rained.  As in water from the sky.  And I ran from window to window watching ... and cheering ... and clapping ... and laughing.  We are in the middle of a terrible drought ... any amount of water from the sky is met with pure joy.  Partly because of the water ... partly because for even a bit it drops our temperature down below the 100 mark.  This has been the hottest summer/fall season on record ... still not complaining about it though.  Although the day it went to 95 I started wishing for a sweater ... which is what 45 days over 100 will do to you.

 This bumper sticker made me laugh ... and hope for the future.  

 Some of our wins are ugly ... the girls actually pulled a win out of this score (you have to win by 2) ... we enjoy the wins more than the losses.

 These arrived at our house one day ... thanks Tom Brady.

 Pumpkin season is here.  I knew it as soon as I saw these at Target ... pumpkin pie pop tarts.  Delicious.

 Senior Formal is coming October 8th.  Torrey has been invited by a boy in her class.  Which means dress shopping with Torrey.  She has to wear a floor length black dress.  We took pictures of our options and texted back and forth with my sister ... she helped us pick a winner.

 After dress shopping, we stopped for a quick lunch at Smash Burger ... and sent this picture to Dean along with a "muahahaha".  Because it really is his and Torrey's spot.

 We made a quick stop at Home Goods for apothecary jars and this little mouse ran close to my foot.  A mouse chasing frenzy ensued ...  eventually he was scared out of the store .... not before a woman jumped up on the shopping carts and Torrey was doubled over in laughter.  When we left the store, we saw him climbing the wall ... which was freaky, but meant we could get a good picture.  Torrey did the honors ... while I stood back.  Far back.

 Sophie comes down every morning ... before the dogs get up.  This morning I spotted her sitting in the sink.  Weird and cute all at the same time.

 We are growing butterflies in my classroom ... here are the caterpillars that are ready to turn into a chrysalis.  This was the first year we actually got to watch one turn into a chrysalis before our eyes.  God is amazing.

 Dean ate pudding ... and then did pudding face.  Which made me laugh.  And laugh.  And laugh.  It still makes me laugh.

One of my sweet Kinderfriends brought these in for me ... and immediately told me to "eat one" ... um, no.  He thought it was hilarious that he brought them in for me.  I should have taken a picture of the joy on his face!

So there you have it ... iPhriday ... two months late!  Hopefully my blogging ability will not be as sporadic in the future.