Someone hit the Slow Mo button please

Friday night Alli had her first real dance. Sure she's done that after school cafeteria thing a few times where the boys stand on one side and the girls on the other and they absolutely under no circumstances interact with each other. But Friday night, there was interacting. And escorting. And chair pulling outing. And jitterbugging. And lifting and twirling. And just interacting. With boys. I was a nervous wreck all day and all night. She was super excited and had a blast!

Yesterday she went upstairs and started fooling around with makeup. Where is Aunt Traci when we need her?? So not my department. Every five minutes she'd walk down with more crap on her face and ask how she looked. Like she was growing up. I didn't like it so much. Today she wore makeup to school for the first time.

She has a cell phone, she has nice purses, she coordinates every outfit like I never did at that age. She's great with a flatiron. She helps the little ones with their homework. She totally picks up my slack when I'm behind on the laundry. (Why I don't slack off more, I'm not sure.) She's the best, most responsible built-in babysitter a mom could ask for. And any of you moms could ask for... hint, hint. She's great to watch movies with, to discuss books with, to ride roller coasters with.

This year, I've see changes. Some good, some bad. But all signs of growing up. And reality is setting it that I no longer have a little girl, I definitely have a young lady. I have not only a daughter, but a friend. And it's happening way too fast.

In the fall, when Kathryn starts kindergarten, I don't think that's going to be my problem. Because Alli starts high school. Better start stocking up on tissues now. And Prozac.