Father / Daughter Dance

This evening was the American Heritage Girls Father / Daughter Dance at St. Mary's. Although we were running late, Sharon snapped a couple photos before we ventured out into the snow.

A genuine difference in attitude after the chubby guy moves out of the frame . . .

The evening was enjoyable. A number of the evening's participants attended Mass at St. Mary's together. After Mass we retired to the Parish Hall, where fresh fruits and vegetables awaited us until dinner. 

All the girls were lovely in their party dresses. The Dads looked dapper in their suits and ties.

As I anticipated, we joined Mr. Moore and his four daughters and Fr. Manny for dinner. While our attire was formal, everybody was relaxed and congenial. During dinner pop tunes from the 40's -- Sinatra, in particular -- played at low volume. Then, around 7 o'clock, the music changed to dance tunes. 

In contrast to earlier Daddy / Daughter dances at St. Catherine's school, Arianna and I spent a considerable amount of time together on the dance floor. Not all the Dads had the pleasure of their daughter's company throughout the evening. The younger girls thought the Parish Hall was better used as a gymnasium and ran here and there, playing all sorts of games with one another.

The contrast between where we've been (Arianna running around the St. Catherine's gym with her school pals) and where we are (Arianna dancing with her Dad) didn't go unnoticed. But, the evening wasn't spoiled by middle-age sentiment. We had fun.

***    

Throughout the evening snow continued to fall. On the drive from Huntley we passed an SUV in a ditch. Better to drive slowly than end up similarly.

At home an episode of MTM and then after Arianna and Sharon were in bed I went outside to clear the driveway (for the 26th time?!?) It hadn't stopped snowing after 90 minutes work. Now the house is quiet -- not even the stirring of a Pepper cat -- and I'm done in. 

A fine, full day. 

AHG KCC

Cold, grey day -- hardly the kind of weather that one thinks of going to a Kane County Cougars baseball game. But, the American Heritage Girls troop to which Arianna belongs planned this outing months ago. Who'd have thought Memorial Day weekend temperatures would be in the 50's?

Although the entire family had tickets to the game, Sharon and Bruno decided that it was too cold for them to be sitting outside after dark. So, Arianna and I headed down to Geneva. 

A light rain on the drive down made me a bit concerned, but by the time we'd gotten to the tri-cities (St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia) it had stopped.

Parking was maddening and caused us to be a bit late for the parade of scouts. We scurried to the section reserved for the AHG troops, but found nobody there. Over the intercom, a voice directed scouts to the center-field gate. Arianna and I turned around and headed back toward the main entrance, but not before numerous scout troops entered the gate and paraded onto the field. We stood watching as more and more scouts entered through the gate. I apologized to Arianna for being the cause of her missing the parade. But, when I saw the AHG flag at the very end of the parade, I told Arianna to "Come on!" 

In fact, the parade had not yet started. We weren't the last to enter the field, but almost. When Mrs. M. saw Arianna she gave her a hug and asked if she wanted to carry the AHG flag. As one of the older scouts, she was in fact entitled to be a flag bearer. K.M. at her side, carrying the American flag, both girls led the troop as they marched around the periphery of the baseball stadium.

Arianna was all smiles and at her ease the rest of the evening. She sat next to K.M. shared some laughs and even watched a bit of the game. (Cougars beat the Beloit Snappers, 7-3.)

After the game the Jesse White Tumblers performed a good 30 minutes of fireworks were set-off to the delight of everybody in attendance. When the lights were turned of again, it was time to say good night -- literally; for, the outing included the option of camping out on the ball park. Neither Sharon nor I were comfortable with arrangements for the camp out, so we declined to include Arianna. But, the troop leader's daughters -- K.M. and her sisters -- remained behind when we exited the stadium.

Although Arianna was a bit disappointed not to be camping out, she was practical about the likelihood of her not enjoying sleeping out in 55 degree weather. Perhaps another time.

A nice opportunity to spend time with Arianna -- even if she socialized with troop pals, as would be expected.