Isn't she beautiful?

How beautiful. I know that I am biased... I know that as a mother you are REQUIRED to think your child is beautiful. But ... all that aside.... I think she is BEAUTIFUL.

Earlier in the week Emily decided she wanted to go to the 7th grade dance. She had been on the fence prior to that. She said she had to figure out who was going. She didn't want to go and stand around...so the "right" group of friends had to be going. You know, the group of friends who are NOT all hung up on having a date or with any certain guy..... after all....they are 13.... too young for all that drama. The group of friends who would just go to dance, hang out and have FUN. The group of friends who would dress cute...appropriately for 7th grade.... and would dance and not worry about who watched them jump around and sing loudly...off key.

.....

Once she decided she wanted to go to the dance... we went shopping. We ran into several girls from her school.... trying on "PROM DRESSES" ..... dresses that they would look RIDICULOUS in.... dresses that I would not let Emily wear if she were a Senior and was going to the prom....

I digress.

She found a very pretty, age appropriate and very flattering dress.

We curled her hair and put on just a "touch" of makeup....

AND SHE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

And Emily had a GREAT TIME. She danced, sang off-key, and came home exhausted.....

Another right of passage......