Dance, Dance, Dance!!

Being a Thanksgiving baby, planning Shannon's birthday party is always a challenge.  I feel guilty having it on Thanksgiving weekend, because I don't want to take away from people's family time.  That being said, trying to squeeze in a party between Aidan's crazy hockey schedule makes for very small windows of availability.

Shannon originally wanted a gymnastics party, and since I was (ahem) late in planning her party the gym wasn't available for the 2.5 hours we had free on a non-Thanksgiving weekend.  No prob.  She said she was good with a party at the YMCA.  Ugh.... too late on that one also.  As you know by now, I'm LOATHE to have parties at my house do to the sheer madness and mess that they create.

Thankfully I managed to book her in at the dance studio where she has her hip hop lessons.  Because she's so agreeable (and because I pressured, pressured, pressured her) Shannon agreed that a dance party would be pretty groovy.

Fast forward to today - the day of her party.  She was BEYOND excited, and was asking to wear her special dance outfit the minute she got up.

Now a bit of history on the 'special' outfit.  It used to be mine.  Yep, this outfit is probably 30 years old!  My mom (who keeps EVERYTHING) gave this to Shannon last time we were visiting.  She's been desperate for the perfect occasion to wear it, and apparently her birthday fit the bill!  Here is said dance outfit:

Sista's:

The party girls - what a fun group of kids!!

Ahem.  Apparently Shannon comes from the "Elaine Dennis" school of dancing (anyone who's a Seinfeld watcher will know what I'm referring to!!)

Hello Kitty cupcakes - NOT homemade!!

Present time!! (Queen Shannon and her helper Marin)

All in all - I'd say the party was a roaring success.  Marin was so tired afterwards that she fell asleep in the hockey arena, in the middle of a crazy game!