The Comeback of a Washed-up Dancing Queen!

(**The washed-up dancing queen I am talking about is me, not any of these beautiful ladies.)

Well, any of you who knew me in my past life, before I was "mommy", know that I LOVE to dance. Love, love, love it! In my single days, before my car accident, it was not unusual for me to go at least once a week to a dance club, sometimes more. I went to every Ricks college stag dance while I was there. I went to dances at UVSC, occasionally BYU dances (although those were probably the lamest of the college dances I went to), and LDS young single adult dances in Salt Lake. ANY dance I could find!

I have missed dancing for so many years now. I love how it makes me feel! And ever since I dressed up as Michael Jackson for Halloween, I've been craving it more than ever. So, I took matters into my own hands and decided to plan a dance for New Year's Eve.

We never do anything fun for New Year's. My husband hates crowds, parties, and people in general, so that limits our options. But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. So I said to heck with Michael, I was throwing a party--a dance party!

I booked our local stake center, invited all the families in my ward (except the old people), and with the help of a few great people, planned a family-friendly dance party. In half of the gym I set up activities for kids--ring toss, bean bag throw, sock basketball, and Twister. There was also a movie room for sleepy kids. We set up some tables for adults to play games (because several people, mostly the husbands, complained that they wouldn't come to the party if they were forced to dance.) On the other half of the floor I set-up a dance floor, complete with a $20 disco light and great sound equipment (provided by my great neighbor.) It was fabulous! I got to dance, dance, dance, dance until I think I got shin splints. It was so great! Because, at the end of the day, the reason I planned the entire party was so that I could dance. . .but, I knew it would be more fun dancing with good friends!

A lot of the kids had a great time dancing, at least until they got too tired and cranky. The 10/11 year old girls were particularly fun! But, it was one 10 year old boy that danced all night who really cracked me up. Dancing with kids is so much more fun, because you don't even care if you look like a total dork! And believe me, I was dancing, care-free, in full dorkitude all night! I loved it!

Even most of the people who preferred games to dancing, at least danced a little on the slow songs. Everyone who came to the party were such good sports. The kids did really well, at least until about 10:30pm.

Most of the partyers cleared out by 11pm because of tired, cranky kids who had reached their limit. But, lucky for me my kids weren't there, so I got to keep on dancing! A few of my favorite ladies (pictured at top) danced with me all night until 12AM. That was the best New Year's eve I've had in a decade.

If New Year's is any indication on the coming year. . .then, 2010 is going to be fabulous. Although, I do think the party unleashed the dormant dance beast inside me. . .and I'm looking for my next opportunity to DANCE!!!