Kianna's and Dakota's Sweet 16
This will be the year of the sweet 16 girls gatherings.
To start off on January 14th Hadley was invited to her friend Kianna's sweet 16th birthday party. This party started off with invitations that came out before Christmas to an official banquet hall. Hadley had to choose her meal, which she chose Beef au Jus. It started with a salad appetizer, then a pre main meal of penne with a red sauce and then the main meal, followed by cheesecake and then an optional late night buffet on the side where Hadley had some fruit. The evening also included a DJ, dancing, an official photographer with props, Hadley sat at the head table, and there was an official cake cutting like you would have at a wedding. There were all the bells and whistles. She got a cute little drink coaster with her name on it as a take away as well as flowers.
We did many girls' days out together to prepare for the event from dress shopping, shoe shopping, taking her to get the dress altered, finding accessories and then on the night of the event, Hadley let me curl her hair. She looked so pretty in her light blue dress. She was so ready for her first dance without her parents. What a special night for her with her friends.
For me it felt a little like what I would have done with her if she had had an official grade 8 graduation in person, so I was happy to embrace all of the things to prepare for the fun.
It was such a fun night for her with her friends.
On January 28th Hadley was once again celebrating her friend Dakota who turned 16 on the 24th. This time it was a little more casual. Dakota's family rented out a community centre, where they had a DJ, but this party was more casual with snack food, pizza, cake and dancing from 6-10pm. I think the best part is the new experience of having fun without parents around. Covid at home time really delayed some of these fun outings and it is great to be able to embrace them now in Hadley's 16th year.
Hadley will need to make some choices for what she wants to do to celebrate her sweet 16. Details to come.