AfterProm

Beginning last summer, the AfterProm committee met monthly to plan a fun and safe alternative to the many other "activities" teenagers might come up with to do after prom.  We sold Beef House rolls and jams twice, had tables at sporting events selling sunglasses and lanyards with school insignia, held a soup and salad supper before a basketball game and invited the rival school's community to attend too, sold tickets to raffle baskets, and sought a ton of donations from the community. 
It was well worth it all tonight!

 After taking pictures at ISU with the kids, Jeremy, Caeden, Joyce and I had a quick supper at Steak 'n' Shake. Then the guys stopped by our house to drop off Caeden, while Joyce and I made a few stops to pick up some things before meeting the parent volunteers at the school.  We had some fun trying out the games before getting started in the kitchne.

We were all pretty excited to see the inflatable rental we had only known was "velcro darts" was a massive 15+ feet high!  

This was the other side  There were big nets on poles to grab the balls down from the velcro spots.  

It was pretty cool!

Jeremy's job for the night was to run the "Off with Their Heads" game.  He and Joyce tried it out.

  

I think she got out some good aggression as it took about 8-10 whacks to get the velcro helmet off.  Pretty jarring to the neck, Jeremy said, but fun!

We had a Vegas theme for the night, including hippity-hop horse races.  Joy was the winner in the race against Joyce. 

Students had to sign up, and parents had to indicate if they wanted to be called if their student left the AfterProm before it ended at 1:30.

Each attendee received a mustang lanyard and sunglasses.

Jeff got in some practice dealing cards with the parents. 
(No money or prizes were used in the games...just for fun.)

I was in the kitchen most of the night.  We served breakfast food--pancakes, sausage links, biscuits and gravy, from 10:15 until 11:15.

Then we put out a sundae bar.

Dice table

 Shelby and her sundae

Trying hard to stay awake, and it's not even midnight yet...ughhh!!!

Ryan, Hunter, and Bobby made use of the costumes and props from the photo booth while entertaining the crowd with quite a variety of karaoke songs!

We hired a magician (TnZ Magic) to do an hour show at midnight, but he came early and did up-close card tricks with kids for an hour and a half before his show!  

He was a fantastic magician and performer, and the kids absolutely loved him!

His show included a lot of audience interaction.

 He called on Sylvia once to help with a trick.

He solved a Rubik's cube in less than 10 seconds behind his back!

 His audience was very appreciative!

At the very end of the night, every junior and senior won an awesome prize.  

Annah won an iHome alarm clock-radio and some gift cards.

We were all exhausted and over-tired by 1:30 a.m., but it was such a fun night!  We were so glad the kids all enjoyed it and stayed safe at the same time!

Prom

The girls had fun getting beautified for prom, and I just couldn't take too many pictures!

Annah has such a super narrow foot, it is always tricky to find shoes for her.  We ended up finding these at Payless for $5 after searching every other store we could think of for formal pumps! 

Sylvia's shoes we grabbed off the display table in the dressing room at Von Maur while she was trying on gowns that were all too long for her.  When she decided they were just what she wanted I ran over to the shoe department and found them on sale for 50% off!

Nails and bracelets

Since it was so cool, they were glad to wear the shawls I made them.  

Caeden was reluctant to take pictures with his beautiful sisters when he hadn't even combed his hair today, but was finally persuaded--okay, forced.

I got pretty choked up when he did this.  

He loves his big sisters so much.

But he did not want their lipstick on him!

Definitely a thorn between 2 roses.

Annah's shawl I made her for her freshman homecoming, but all her homecomings have been in warm weather and this was the first she's worn it. 

 Sylvia's I made Thursday and yesterday after I saw what the forecast was for tonight.

Snuggling up to get warm in the breeze

Sylvia chose rose gold jewelry and nails to go with her black gown.

Annah chose silver glittery jewelry and nails.  We have several differing opinions as to whether her gown was rosy red or hot pink.

Trying to be as awkward as possible...

I love that they are so goofy!

At 3:00, Joyce and Ryan arrived.

Flowers!

Annah tried to put Ryan's boutonniere on without poking him or making a big hole in his new suit.

Joyce got it done right.  Thanks, Mom!

About this time, Sylvia's date RJ, let Ryan know his baseball game was still going on and he wasn't going to make it for pictures!

Sylvia, 3rd-wheelin'!

Joyce wanted pictures of the girls' hair to send to Allison.

Ryan was a gentleman and opened card doors for both of the girls.

We met the kids' group of friends on the quad at ISU for photos of everyone together.

Ryan's oldest sister Ashley is majoring in art education at ISU and was helping with a band festival, so she met us outside the Center for Performing Arts for a few minutes and pictures!

Joyce and Ryan

Daddy and his girls

And they are Daddy's girls.

Ryan, trying to help everyone else find us...

We decided Annah's dress was as big as 3 people!

Taylor and Annah

Lauren and Adam found us on the quad.  Lauren's softball double header went into the afternoon!

Turn the other way so we can see your corsages!

While getting everyone situated, Ryan said, "Hey Sylvia, go like this!" So she did.

A great bunch of kids

It really was a beautiful day, though the shadows and sun were tricky inside the gazebo.

And the breeze was strong, but made them all look even more glamourous.

Lauren and Annah

Lauren's family moved last summer, and we are always glad when she can come back and attend Ridgeview events!

The group headed off to make their dinner reservation at Medici at 5:00, so they could get to the prom in Lexington by 7:00.

RJ, James, and Hunter did meet the group for dinner, and rode out to the prom with Ryan and Annah and Sylvia.  Sylvia and RJ were able to get one picture together at the prom.  Pretty sharp!

They all said the prom was fun, and they danced the whole time!