Jack's Cotillion

Jackson attended his first school dance in February.  Wow, it's just crazy to imagine that we are in this stage of life.  He sure is a kind boy, full of integrity and talent.  But will he REALLY be 13 this summer??

All spiffed up and ready to go!

The sixth graders, or at least most of them, met at the park before the dance for pictures.

Pretty girls, handsome boys!

He was so excited for his big night.  The sixth grade class has been taking etiquette classes during their lunch hour and ballroom dance classes during p.e.  So he felt confident and prepared.  At the dance, they get dance cards with some of the partners filled in and others they get to choose.

Lovely tables!

A couple of Jack's buddies before the dance.  Next year I am going to try to talk Jack into a bow tie.  Love!

The dance begins with thirty minutes for the parents to take pictures and a professional photographer to take pictures.  The gym took my breath away.  It was filled with candles and white lights.  The tables were gorgeous with red table runners and roses.  Every detail was attended to, from the place cards to the napkins.  It was really lovely!  The girls looked so sweet and beautiful, yet age-appropriate.  The boys all wore ties and coats, some were in suits.  They looked so mature and handsome.  I don't know if all of the classes are like this, but Jack's group loves to dance, boys and girls alike.

When I arrived, the teachers (in black) had joined the kids in a line dance.  The teachers wore black, along with a few volunteer parents, and served the dinner and helped clean up.

After the parents leave, the kids have a four course meal.  They are seated with various ages and both boys/girls.  Jack was a little worried that he wouldn't know the people he was seated with.  But they had a blast and he loved the food.  He said there was "no awkward silence", so that was good. :)

After dinner, the tables were all cleared away and the gym became a dance floor.  They dance around a dozen dances, I think, including the swing, the waltz, etc.  They also do a bunch of line dances, which is really fun.  He said is was formal, but laid back and really fun.  The parents are allowed to come back 15 minutes before the end of the dance to see the last dance.  Jackson chose to dance with a sweet little sixth grade girl whom he is friends with.  They looked so sweet and innocent.

The last dance with his friend.  This is a sweet stage in life!

This picture is one side of the booth when we went out for milk shakes.  10 boys, 1 booth!

I am so grateful that he is learning how to be a gentleman...and enjoying it!  I am so thankful that his idea of fun is a classy, innocent night with his friends.  Afterwards, a big group of his friends went to get milkshakes and discuss the night.  On the way home, he said, "Mom, this was the best night of my life... so far!"  So far, it has been PURE JOY to be the parent of a middle schooler.  Love, love, love it!