By Jessica Watson

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You are here: Home / Grief / Every Little Girl’s Dream

Every Little Girl’s Dream

By Jessica

Recently we were given an amazing invitation to attend Hob Nobble Gobble, a charity event held inside Ford Field in Detroit. I have heard about this event for years, the entire football field is transformed into an indoor carnival, black-tie style. To say we were excited to be invited is an understatement BUT

I rarely do things like this, it’s a late night for the kids, a long drive, I have nothing to wear… there are a million excuses in my much-more-comfortable-at-home brain.

For once I said yes…

I wore more than just lipgloss and mascara, bought a dress I am still dreaming about and high-heeled it out of my comfort zone.

hob nobble gobble

We won every prize because you couldn’t lose,

balloon hat

rode every ride we could talk the kids into,

carousel

tested out gravity (I skipped this one, flowing dress + steep incline = a no longer kid-friendly event),

high slide

drowned ourselves in sugar long past bedtime,

carnival

and smiled until cheeks hurt and eyelids fluttered.

circus glasses

On round 362 of rides, I felt that bittersweet flash of what life would be like if Hadley were here, how much she would love this too

roller coaster

but I closed my eyes and smiled because riding a roller coaster in an evening gown and 4 inch heels

roller coaster ride

is every little girls dream.

——————-

Linking up for What I Wore Wednesday:

pleated poppy

black cocktail dressMe: Black evening gown- BCBG Crazy-high heels- Target

dressed up

On the little ones: Head to toe Target

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59 Comments Filed Under: Grief, Musings of Motherhood


Comments

  1. Lanie says

    December 2, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    What a fun event – I am so glad you all got to go. Hadley is always with you – I agree with the comment that she was smiling to see you all so happy. And I agree with the comments that you all look great! Take care.

    Reply
  2. Charlotte says

    December 2, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    OMG, girl… you look AMAZING!!! MEEEEEEEEOW!

    Sounds like a great night ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Grumpy Grateful Mom says

    December 1, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    You look amazing! My body wouldn’t know what to do with a dress like that–it’s been so long. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    December 1, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    You literally took my breath away with your gorgeousness.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 10:46 pm

      Oh you are too sweet. It was so nice to get dressed up for a change.

      Reply
  5. My Inner Chick says

    December 1, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    ~~You all Look Absolutley Fabulous :)) X WOW!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 10:46 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  6. Tonya says

    December 1, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    As a SAHM, it feels so good to dress up, doesn’t it?

    Beautiful dress and Target… so awesome!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 10:49 pm

      I had plans to shop and shop for the kids outfits and ran in Target for something and knew I was not taking them in one more store. Thank goodness I found them cute stuff. McKenna’s dress was $12!

      Reply
  7. tulpen says

    December 1, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    What a neat event!!

    And you looked fabulous! A little jealous though… tried on a fancy-ish dress today and thought; “Wait a sec! I don’t have lumps THERE!!”

    Oh yes I do.

    Sigh.

    Reply
  8. Truthfulmommy says

    December 1, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    You & the entire family look gorgeous. Looks like a well deserved night of family fun!

    Reply
  9. Emmy says

    December 1, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    You are hot!! Seriously look great. And who would ever think of going to a carnival all dressed up but it looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  10. Natalie says

    December 1, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    You look beautiful and it looks like you all had an amazing time!

    Reply
  11. Mom On A Line says

    December 1, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    I’m seriously jealous! I’ve always wanted to go to the Hob Nobble Gobble. It looks like you all had fun. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 3:23 pm

      Me too! Was so excited to get an invite. So you must be in the area?

      Reply
      • Mom On A Line says

        December 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm

        Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, weaned on the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade. I now work downtown and can see Ford Field from my office (if I walk to the opposite side of the building).

        Reply
        • Jessica says

          December 1, 2011 at 10:49 pm

          How funny, I used to work downtown too. Years ago at DTE.

          Reply
  12. angela says

    December 1, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Your family is just stunning. I love your dress ๐Ÿ™‚ Ryan’s holiday party this year is at the Gem and semi-formal, and I am having the hardest time finding something I like ๐Ÿ™

    What an amazing event!

    Reply
  13. Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation says

    December 1, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    You look amazing!! Looks like it was a great night!!

    Reply
  14. Marie Cole says

    December 1, 2011 at 11:28 am

    Wow, what a fantastic evening and you all looked sooo great too! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  15. julie gardner says

    December 1, 2011 at 10:47 am

    I would break a leg in high heels (and also be taller than Bill which he does not like since he chooses to believe he’s 5’10” – shhhh…..)

    Maybe I could pull off McKenna’s shoes though.
    That strap looks sturdy!

    p.s. You are all adorable. Cheers to 362 rides and a good night’s sleep afterward…

    Reply
  16. Alexandra says

    December 1, 2011 at 10:38 am

    Beautiful.

    With smiles that can’t be beat.

    Reply
  17. Deidre~ says

    December 1, 2011 at 9:54 am

    WoW! You look beautiful!! It certainly looks as though a great time was had by all! Its so much fun to play dress up sometimes even for us “BIG GIRLS” ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank You for sharing this!

    Reply
  18. Kimberly says

    December 1, 2011 at 8:52 am

    Wait…whoa…you live near Detroit????

    I’m right across that nasty ditch in Canada.

    I had no idea that you lived there.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 1:20 pm

      Oh we are totally meeting at the bring, start driving and I will too :).

      Reply
  19. Mrs. Weber says

    December 1, 2011 at 7:59 am

    So amazing you got to attend that event – I’ve heard it’s a ton of fun! And you definitely deserve to have a fun night out once in awhile. Plus, we all need an excuse to dress up and not feel totally mom-like, right?

    You all looked fabulous.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 1:23 pm

      It was great, definitely an amazing opportunity, it was great to be invited.

      Reply
  20. Deidre~ says

    December 1, 2011 at 7:27 am

    You really looked BEAUTIFUL!! What a lovely family too.It looked as though a great time was had by all,thank you so much for sharing this:)

    Reply
  21. Barbara says

    December 1, 2011 at 5:36 am

    That looks like so much fun! You looked absolutely gorgeous in that dress!

    Reply
  22. Courtney @ The Mommy Matters says

    December 1, 2011 at 2:37 am

    You look beautiful! What a fun night! And I’m sure your sweet angel was enjoying every bit of your fun and excitement with you.

    Reply
  23. Kimberly says

    November 30, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    Looks like so much fun! You, and the family, were all gorgeous!!

    Reply
  24. Galit Breen says

    November 30, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    Oh stunning you, stunning night. xo

    Reply
  25. Life As Wife says

    November 30, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    You looked amazing!

    And good for you for saying YES! We should all say yes sometimes!

    Reply
  26. Runnermom-jen says

    November 30, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    You and your family look gorgeous!! What a fun night for all of you…one you’ll remember for a long time ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  27. Jessica says

    November 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    Great pictures! I love that you had to wear black tie to the carnival.

    The picture of Parker and Hubby in the glasses is adorable! And of course your dress was gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      December 1, 2011 at 6:55 am

      The glasses blink, which makes it hard to see or walk but they are really fun to wear :).

      Reply
  28. Devan @ Accustomed Chaos says

    November 30, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    looks like you had a great time! your family is absolutely beautiful xxo

    Reply
  29. tracy says

    November 30, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Oh my word what a stunning family. What an incredible time!!!! I need a close-up of those heels! xoxo

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 3:12 pm

      I will mail them to you, I will NEVER walk in them again. I can do heels but they were way too high for a night on my feet with kids.

      Reply
  30. Not a Perfect Mom says

    November 30, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    wow, look at you…hot mama!

    what an awesome event…

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 3:13 pm

      It was great, I’m thinking there should be one for all of us bloggers. Wouldn’t that be fun?

      Reply
  31. Jaime says

    November 30, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Aww…you look amazing!!! Sounds like lots of fun!

    Reply
  32. angie says

    November 30, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    You all look gorgeous, and I bet baby Hadley was smiling down from heaven, enjoying you all enjoying yourselves! xoxo

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks so much Angie, that is exactly what I thought, that if she were watching us she would have wanted to see me happy.

      Reply
  33. Elena says

    November 30, 2011 at 11:16 am

    First, you all look awesome! Second, I’ve heard great things about hob nobble gobble. A girl I worked with on the TEDxDetroit conference – her hubby is always in the parade & they take their kids every year. What a great night out! Sometimes it’s fun to break the bedtime rules. Trust me – I rarely do as well!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 3:14 pm

      It was amazing, truly one of those things that we would never get to do without an invite from a family member and totally worth breaking the bedtime rules for.

      Reply
  34. Amanda Austin says

    November 30, 2011 at 10:39 am

    You had my at high heels ๐Ÿ™‚ Looks like an amazingly fun night!!

    Reply
  35. Kristen @ Motherese says

    November 30, 2011 at 10:25 am

    You guys look great! What a fun event. Good for you for stepping outside of your routine to give your family such a memorable time.

    Reply
  36. Megan says

    November 30, 2011 at 8:54 am

    That looks so fun!!!! Awesome dress! You looked beautiful!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 9:08 am

      Thank you, it was so much fun.

      Reply
  37. JDaniel4's Mom says

    November 30, 2011 at 8:35 am

    This looks like such fun! Your family looks amazing! What a great dress!

    Reply
  38. Jessica says

    November 30, 2011 at 8:17 am

    It was such a blast and the kids are still talking about it. Love making memories for them that they won’t forget.

    Reply
  39. Stephanie says

    November 30, 2011 at 7:52 am

    You look fabulous, all of you!! Great dress! I love dressing up, love it and miss it ๐Ÿ˜›

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 8:18 am

      I love it too, honestly I underestimated how good it feels to get all dressed up for an evening.

      Reply
  40. story says

    November 30, 2011 at 7:51 am

    You are absolutely stunning. I would be jealous if I weren’t so in awe of you and your lovely family. It looks like it was a beautiful time.

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 8:17 am

      Awww, thank you so much, nice to get to show my kids off :).

      Reply
  41. Shell says

    November 30, 2011 at 7:50 am

    What a fun night out!

    Your dress is stunning!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      November 30, 2011 at 8:16 am

      Thanks Shell, I am already dying to wear it again. Too much for preschool drop off?

      Reply
  42. Rach (DonutsMama) says

    November 29, 1999 at 7:00 pm

    You look amazing!

    Reply

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