I am the "Activity Day Girls" Leader at church. This means I have an activity 2 times a month for all the girls aged 8 to 11. The activities focus on personal & spritual development- talents, goal-setting, planning... you name it, it is a topic of discovery. So, last time we met, I had them plan a "Summer Party". They planned the "dinner", took on assignments, brought the "activities"... They decided on playing in the water on the trampoline, watching a movie and doing make-overs. And, food, of course. I provided the house, TV, trampoline, water, hose... (and, filled in on the food...)
Among themselves they brought an oscillating sprinkler, "Night At The Museum" for the movie, make-up, nail polish, their own swim suit/towel, dry clothes, and "dinner". Dinner is in quotes because what ACTUALLY made it here was: Cheetos, brownies, limón potato chips, zucchini bread, chocolate covered pretzels, popcorn, fríjoles refritos (homemade refried beans- this girl pulled through!) corn chips (she brought her assignment, too!) and soda pop. Fortunately, I had planned for said eventuality and had taquitos, guacamole & salsa to supplement. Not the healthiest dinner, but it was a
party, after all ;)
It all started with playing in the water.

Then, they ate. After food was (mostly) consumed, it was movie time. Which basically meant there was a movie on in the background to add to the noise and confusion whilst the girls did "make-overs". So- out came the nail polish.


It isn't long after nail polish that the make-up enters the scene. Remember, 8 to 11 year olds here. They were pretty silly with the make-up- including, but not limited to, eye shadow on cheeks, lip gloss put on "clown style"-



And, my personal favorite- dark grey eyeshadow as "armpit hair". Yes, they put it on their underarms!

Sophia wasn't the only one, mind you. She is just the only one who of whom I got a photo!
I think the highlight of
their evening was doing a make-over on me. They were SO excited to do so, who was I to deny them such pleasure? I do have 3 showers in my home, after all. Between them, I was certain to be able to wash all that...crud... off! So, I got the full deal from these make-up artists. Nails, make-up and a new hairdo. Check it out:

I am not sure exactly
how much gel it took to achieve that faux-hoc (fake mohac? mohawk? how do you spell it?!).. but it was
stiff.
Solid!
Then, of course, the evening wrapped up with the girls leaving- with much moans and groans- and the carnage left behind…


This is but a small sampling of the disorder, chaos & mess! And, of course, a few items belonging to children were left behind. No child get-together is complete without some number of items being left behind.
Now, at this point you are probably in complete puzzlement as to how this is a "happiness". It is because they had so much fun. They thought they were really "pulling one over on me" by telling me how beautiful they were making me. They did the big "reveal" to all the other girls (before I was shown to a mirror) and said, "Doesn't she look beautiful?!" And, the forthcoming laughter was simply fabulous! They were in hysterics laughing at "my look". Ah. Hope they hold on to that happy moment and remember it as they venture into the upcoming whirlwind that is puberty, middle school and teenage-dom.
Love those girls!