The Garden Party

I love my boys elementary school.  It is small, family oriented and constantly putting on events to draw the schools' families together.

Of course, being somewhat of a homebody, I don't actually want to go to these events, but I think it's quaint that they put them on.  Last night, my boys talked me into going to their annual Garden Party.

They served beef brisket, baked beans, potatoes, applesauce and a roll a la cafeteria style.  It was o.k.  They also hosted a dance with a middle-school aged band.  If that doesn't pull you off your couch, I don't know what will.  In all honesty, they were a really good band and the kids who danced had a blast.

Of course, my boys preferred playing soccer outside.  One of my favorite things about the size of this school is how inclusive the play is.  It has to be.  There couldn't form full teams if they left people out.  So...girls play with boys, grades intermix and it just feels more wholesome somehow.  I enjoyed watching them play outside with their friends.

But, I enjoyed watching them dance more.  Henry was hamming it up.  I don't know if he's an attention hog or just a very passionate dancer, but he was tearing the floor up all night.  Seth safely walked the borders of the dance floor until the very end, when his silly side got the best of him and he started some toe-tapping of his own.

Sam safely stuck to Bingo.  He played one game and won!  Sixteen dollars!  There were some jealous grandmas in the crowd.

Some pictures:

Choosing teams.  Brutal!  I don't know what Sam was so excited about.

Seth going for the goal.

High fives with his friend, Luke.

Elise dribbling (this is for you, Michelle.  She looked like she was having a lot of fun).

Henry doing some of his ninja moves he's been into since watching the Samurai Pie episode of Backyardigans (Jen, you can imagine the sound effects that go with these sweet moves, can't you?)

I love watching girls dance.  I really do.  It brings back so many fond memories.

Henry making a long circle around the gym doing some kind of robot march.

He danced even when no one else did.  And the band played on.

Some floor dancing.  Some of his best moves.

Seth playing ninja, an actual game, NOT learned from Samurai Pie, with his friends.

I had to take this picture.  Two fifth grade boys at a dance and two fifth grade girls at a dance.  They are so different!

Still dancing....

Meanwhile, over in the cafeteria, Sam takes on the Bingo crowd.

And won!

One final dance with dad.

Not the most exciting Friday night, but I love my boys and love that they love their school.  But I have NO idea why they called this a garden party.