Belle of the Ball

One little six-year old girl was a very happy princess last night. Merrilee went to her very first Marine Corps Birthday Ball and had the time of her life! We have waited several years to take her, wanting to make sure she was ready for sitting still during the ceremony and being able to eat like a grown up at a table with adults. She met all our expectations and more. She loved the ceremony, even though it was about 40 minutes total. When it was over she indicated that she was a little disappointed because she thought it would last longer and she wished it wasn't over yet. I had to remind her that the Marines standing up there at parade rest were pretty glad it was over so they could sit down.

Here's a photo from the pageant. A narrator recalls the history of the Marine Corps and significant campaigns, while Marines dressed in historical garb march out and stand at attention. Merrilee impressed me when they got to the Marines from WWII and she said "Grandpa John was in World War II!" Granted, he was in the Navy, not the Marines, but surprisingly she did recall that bit of information right away.

After the pageant and and the speeches from the VIPs, the cake cutting ceremony took place. A piece of birthday cake is always given to the Guest of Honor, the oldest Marine present (who, by the way was only five years older than Jay, and had been in the Marine Corps for less time!), and the youngest Marine present. Merrilee was ecstatic over this cake, however she noted that she didn't think it would be enough for all the people present! It was enough...I had two pieces because the wait staff couldn't give it all away!

Merrilee watched the entire ceremony very attentively from her Daddy's lap. It was so endearing to me watch them spend the evening together. Merrilee doesn't get to spend much time with her dad unless its to ride along on a trip to the hardware store or something. This was a very special night for this young lady. At one point she got down from his lap and came over to me and whispered "I'm Cinderella."

While she was standing on a chair next to Jay during the end of the ceremony and the playing of the Marine's Hymn, I could only keep thinking about the day he might be walking her down the aisle giving her away in marriage. That day is going to come way too soon. I love these two people so very much!

After the ceremony, we had a dinner of prime rib, beans (southern style and a little too spicy, even for me), and potatoes. It wasn't the best meal we've had at a Ball, but it was pretty good.

Then the highlight of the evening for Merrilee...dancing! She had such a huge smile that just wouldn't go away. She spun and jumped and twirled around and had the time of her life. Jay and I were smiling just because it was so delightful to watch her having so much fun.

The dancing ended all to soon (Mommy was tired and we still needed to go back to the Marine Base to pick up the other two kids from child care). Merrilee didn't complain at all about leaving, but she said she was even more excited about the Ball at the end of it than at the beginning, because it had been so much fun. It was so delightful to experience the Ball through Merrilee's eyes and enjoy her enjoyment of it. What a great kid! And what a great thing to have a Marine Daddy!