Cinderella was on to something with these “Balls”

man, I get it now.

All those wanna-be princesses that march out of the Disney store with their prized purchase just waiting to be modeled and twirled in, in front of the mirror.

Two nights ago I had been cordially invited to celebrate Hayley Ellenwood’s and Claire Patty’s Sluskolona.  This is the annual ball for all ‘sophomore’s’ in Czech secondary schools.  They take ballroom dance classes for 2.5 months with their partners and this is the final performance. 

Nate, Em and I were willing and excited onlookers at the ball…

I present to you the Bells of the Ball:

Hayley Ellenwood, Claire Patty, Gabriel (Twilight guy look-alike) and Noah Ellenwood.

Let the Ball-ing begin…

The bow and the curtsy.  Of course only after the classic promenade.

There was Waltzing, Polka-ing (?), Cha-Cha’ng and lots of other dancing in between.  And to make matters worse more entertaining, each person at the ball needs to dance with their parents and also the parent of their partner.

I don’t think that I’ve seen Big Boss Mel and Amy so nervous in awhile!A father and his gorgeous daughter about to embark on a notable turn around the floor, which will be the first of many new experiences as a daughter grows from a girl to a woman, safely in the shelter of her father’s love and support.

Two boys, making sure their flowers smelled nice before they handed them over to their dance partners.  Or maybe this was a challenge of la fleur?Oh man, makes me want to cry!  Such a handsome baby boy to lead his mama around the floor, and with killer posture to boot.Y’know it was that posture which gained Noah and Claire a spot in the top ten of all partners in the dance contest!  Yeah, you heard me a dance contest!  And it wasn’t judged by some couch potato-wannabe-judges but by none other then…these guysThey are a young Czech couple that placed like 5th or 6th in the World Championships in Russia!  True story.  Of course Emily and I were more concerned about other details like, ‘why did she choose turquise eye shadow which obviously clashes with her esemble?’ or ‘does he shave or wax that shiny chest of his?’

The dance contest had us all whooping it up (Arsenio Hall style!) for Hayley’s classmate Maya, who took home the victory over the Wink-meister blondie girl.  And then there was some shady business going on on the dance floor

And no it was not Nate leading Hayley around the floor in Polka, but rather the sly handed tricks of the dance school teachers.  First it’s all innocent-like with a line on both sides of the floor of boys and girls.The girls waiting patiently for the boys to present them with a gift.  Nothing shady ’bout that!

The boys marching over to the line of anxiously waiting girls with their small parcels in hand, most likely gifts that their mama’s bought for them to give to their dance partners.  And then BAM!  The lights in the ballroom go dark (except for the eeiry glow coming from the consession stand in the corner) and it was announced that now is the time for the couples to KISS!!  I can’t believe it, school or rather “cultural center” sponsored revelry!  Unheard of!

Ahh, it was a great night!  My first Sluskolona while living in Czech.  And to celebrate such dear people in my life, nothing better!

Hayley and Hannah Ellenwood.  Gorgeous ladies, young women of character and kindness!All that is missing is Hannah in this Cesky Tesin Ladies picture!  It was a great night and I am so blessed by my family here in Czech and times we are given to enjoy each others company, friendship, and special occasions in our lives!