Daddy Daughter Dinner and Dance

Every year Rancho Sahuarita (the community where we live) has a Daddy Daughter Dance around Valentine's Day. Usually it is on Sunday, so Nate can't take Kiersten. This year, however, it was on a Saturday, so he signed them up. Kiersten was so excited that she picked out her dress and accessories weeks in advance (including a veil, all the jewelry she owns, and an old black purse of mine). She got quite upset with me when I tried to hang her dress in the closet, because she was afraid that if I put it away she wouldn't be able to get ready! She also told me that she was going to be very brave when it was her and daddy's turn to dance. I tried to explain to her that everyone got to dance at the same time and that it wouldn't be like dancing on the stage. I don't thing she really understood until she got to the actual dance.

Here they are, ready to leave for their Daddy-Daughter-Dinner-Dance-Date (say that one ten times fast!)
A self-portrait while they waited in line. Nate commented on how many dads were wearing pink ties. I think he was impressed, or scared, I'm not completely sure which!
The clubhouse went all out for dinner - macaroni and cheese, pigs in a blanket, chicken, fruit, Capri Suns and cupcakes for dessert, and served on the finest china with the nicest silverware they could find! :)
One of the highlights of the evening for Kiersten was getting to choose a corsage (they had several colors and styles to choose from). She was so excited that they had flowers for her. So excited, in fact, that she wore it to church the next day. When Kiersten came home that night she told me that she'd been a "crazy dancer, but Daddy didn't dance crazy." Come on, Dad! What were you thinking! :) Kiersten and Nate had so much fun. It would be so nice if we could make this a tradition . . . if only the clubhouse will continue to hold it on Saturday nights!