I learned a few things: 

1. If you don’t know much about the opening act, don’t get to the stadium until about an hour after your ticket time. The girls were ansty waiting on the “real” concert to start, and it was nearly an hour and a half after the 7:00 start time that One Direction finally made the stage. 

This is particularly good advice for people with kids under 10. 

2. Eat beforehand. I totally get that buying all the stuff the venue sells for the concert is par for the course, but spending $40 on 3 hotdogs, 1 drink, and a small fry is craziness. Save that $40 for the dessert and goodies when you get there. The girls ate their supper, then ice cream, then cotton candy, and THEN peanuts. They were stuffed and happy. I was stuffed and poor. 

3. Spend the $15 for a light stick that changes into every color of the rainbow. It made the girls feel like thet were really a  part of the show. They loved them, and I am glad I bought them, even if they will break tomorrow. 

4. Buy your One Direction tees before the concert, not AT the concert. We did that and were soo glad. The lines were miles long just to get a tee. 

5. Sit in a section next to a bathroom. I had not thought of this when I bought the tickets online. But, I was extremely thankful that our seats were about 15 steps from the nearest bathroom. It was especially nice, because little girls “have to go NOW!” Oh, and so do old gals. 

Lol

6. Throw caution to the wind, and dance like you think you can, even if you know you can’t. I did, and the girls laughed and laughed, and I loved every minute of it. 

7. Soak it up, and make it memorable with pictures that will last forever, but don’t get caught up in the pictures as much as you want to be caught up in just enjoying the moment with these precious girls. 

8. Have someone drop you off and pick you up. It saved a ton on parking, it was close to the door, and I felt safer being with 2 little girls at night alone in a big city with a bunch of crazed lunatics. 

10. Bring earplugs. It will increase your stay time. The girls’ ears were hurting a little over halfway through the One Direction part of the night. They lasted a while longer, but we had to call it quits before the end AND before they sang the only song I love- “The Story of my Life.”  I thought the title was appropriate. Ha! 

The concert was great, the company was fantastic, and the imprint on my heart and mind will last forever. Thanks to my parents for such a great gift for their grand girls. 

Selfie with the girls