Ghosts of Prom Past

It's that time of year again! Tomorrow night is Prom, so expect pictures of the big event sometime next week.
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I've chaperoned Prom several times, but last year was my first as a chaperone and Mom of attendees. I thought I'd share pictures from last year's Prom to set the proper mood.

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It all starts with the asking. Jacob's friend Bryce asked Sarah by filling our house with balloons, some of which contained small papers with words on them. She had to pop the balloons, find the papers, and assemble them: "Sarah will you go to prom?"

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Sarah answered with a piece of gum and the message "Yes, I chews to go to Prom with you!"

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Jacob agonized over how to ask his date, long-time friend Becca. We spent ages in WalMart trying to get ideas. We ended up with a Beauty and the Beast theme, including a crown, a light-up wand, a pink-and-blue ribbon-bound scroll, and a champagne glass full of pink and blue M&Ms.

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Becca responded with a bag of chocolate-covered nuts and a glittery note that proclaimed "I'd be nuts not to go to Prom with you!"

What mother doesn't love to see her son in his first tux? He was so dashing. I asked for his best GQ pose!

The cost for Jacob's tux was gasp-worthy. In fact, he opted to wear his suit to tomorrow's Prom and save $150+!

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We worried about finding a decent dress for Sarah here in our little rural area, but we were blessed. Our friend Gwen had seen this beautiful, perfectly-beaded black gown in a nearby thrift shop. It was an exact fit and it cost only $20! Sarah found dressy sandals for $20 and her friend Tahna did her hair, so she spent the rest of her budget on having her nails done.

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Who would ever have thought it would be cheaper to dress up your daughter than your son for Prom?

We were joined at our house by Sarah's good friend Kristin, who opted to go stag, and then we headed over to pick up Jacob's date Becca. We took the traditional pre-prom photos at her house.

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Left-to-right: Bryce, Sarah, Kristin, Becca, and Jacob. What a gorgeous group!
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The kids entered the prom on a red carpet, complete with a slew of paparrazzi flashing pictures.

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The venue was unusual, with Prom taking place at our local theater. Dancing and Prom portraits were in the lobby, with free sodas and popcorn. The businesses located in the theater plaza were also open, with free games at the arcade and free food in the deli and ice cream shop. A DJ provided music for the dance, but several live bands played outside in the plaza.

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At midnight they showed the horror/slasher flick Prom Night. A grisly end to a great night!
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Jacob and Bryce were both sophomores last year. Since the Junior-Senior Prom is for--you guessed it--juniors and seniors, they had to ask upper-classmen to be their dates so they could attend. Luckily, Sarah was a senior and Becca a junior last year.

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This year Sarah is a college freshman, of course, but Jacob is a high school junior and headed to his second Prom with his friend (and date) Nicole tomorrow. And I will be there to chaperone, armed with my trusty camera to capture every possible memory.

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Stay tuned . . .