Kiss My Knits!

The first I heard of the dance was when Em brought some green polka-dotted leggings to me and asked if she should wear them to the dance that night. I thought she was joking, but there was just enough reality to her question for me to ask, “Is this pretend or real?” She said it was real, and she doesn’t lie, so I called the school to verify that this was correct. It was. With a $7 admission, it was really more of a fundraiser than a dance, but that school can use all the help it can get so I certainly don’t begrudge them the price. Besides, pizza and drinks were included, not that Em ate anything.

Em decided on the party dress at left and a pair of white shoes that barely fit. I know I’m biased, but doesn’t she look beautiful? That dress is just so sweet. I need to get her new dress shoes, because if those hadn’t fit she would have been wearing Converse sneakers.

We went up to the school and her “special area” teacher and speech therapist were the ones taking tickets, so they got to see her all dolled up. Even better, her teacher from last year was in the lobby with the music teacher and another teacher I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t recognize. The teacher from last year was so excited to see Emily and had just been talking about how she really hoped that Em came so she would be able to see her. The reason this is so great is that this teacher isn’t at the school this year, having been transferred to another school which is trying to come back from a dismal performance. She’s planning to transfer back as soon as she can, which will probably be in three years. So the teacher made a special trip to Em’s school for the dance. I’m not saying that seeing Em was the only reason, but it was a big one. Is this school’s staff great or what?

The dance was one of those where parents drop the kids off and then come back and get them later. I wasn’t sure how she would do so I told Em in advance that I would drop her off and come back in 15 minutes, and if she wanted to leave she could leave and if she wanted to stay longer she could stay longer. With most of Em’s “dream team” of specialists at the school I felt like I could put my natural maternal nervousness aside and leave and everything would be just fine.

The dance was in the school cafeteria. They had turned the lights way down and had the music going. This was not a “boy/girl” type dance, since it was for 8-11 year olds, it was of a more “macarena/hokey pokey” type dance. Em bought a glowy green bracelet (it cost a buck) and when I left, she was essentially a little green circle bobbing around on the dance floor. There were a bunch of kids near her also jumping around with more enthusiasm than skill, so she fit right in.

I came back after about 30 minutes, since she seemed to be having such a good time when I left. I asked if she wanted to stay or go, and she opted to go, but as we got close to the door, she said, “Well, I want to stay for two more minutes.” Okay! So I went out to the lobby and talked to the teachers and she stayed and danced for a few more minutes. Then she came out. She said goodbye to all her teachers and we went on home.

When we got home, she said, “look at this!” and she spun around and flared her skirt out. She was smiling all night. This morning she came into the den and said, “let me show you my funky dance moves!” so I think this is something that will stay with her for a while. It goes to show that you should take opportunities when they present themselves. You never know what will happen, and you won’t know unless you try.

This marks the end of the post. Em just came in and said, “Let’s dance!” so I have to go. I hope all your days are filled with glowy bracelets and funky dance moves.