sign of things to come?

my daughter was invited to go to the state fair last friday with a friend and her family. given the choice between kids cross with her parents, sister and brother or the state fair; she pretty much jumped at the chance to go to the fair with a friend. um. kids cross? done that. state fair? with a friend? that's a once a year gig. she quickly changed (apparently the outfit for kids cross and state fair are different) - mostly it required the removal of 'cross boots and the addition of a hello kitty purse. and we waited for her pick up. and we waited. and waited. i knew it was going to be a late night when the family got held up a bit and didn't arrive to pick her up until 8:30 - which is basically her bedtime. but its a once a year thing, this was a big treat. so off she went, happy as a little clam. the mom said they'd be back in a couple of hours. ok so that's 10:30 - i factor in parking and figure we won't see her till 11. that's pretty late. but i'm going with the whole itsonceayearanditsabigtreat thing.

but by 10:30 i am exhausted and head to bed. i figure dad can wait up for her. but dad fell asleep on the couch and was woken up by family's phone call at 11:30 that they were wrapping things up and headed home. apparently my fair-weary little girl walked in the door at midnight (only i heard about it the next morning when i ask my husband what time she came home) and all i can think about is what will it be like in a few years when we fall asleep holding a phone in our hands waiting for her to come home from dates or nights out with friends. and i think we have a ways to go before we worry about that cause she's only 8; and i think we might stick to kids 'cross on friday nights for a while.