Isn't that what everyone does at a prom?

Okay, it's not typical prom behavior, but then, this was no ordinary prom.

Labeled by its organizer, Marissa Ciullo, "Precious Prom," the event, held in the Town Hall meeting room last week, was designed for children up to the age of 5. Ms. Ciullo is the Oxford Public Library's children's librarian.

About 15 children and their mothers attended.

Ms. Ciullo said she conceived of the idea a while driving to work one day.

"I wanted to dress up and thought they would dress up with me," she said of the youngsters.

Some did; some didn't. Abby Patterson, 2-1/2, wore a pink and blue princess dress and Meagan Leung chose crimson velvet.

Fourteen-month old Alice Gilroy had on a short pink and white floral dress accented in front with a pink bow.

Two-year-old Kalled Mahmood, on the other hand, preferred the comfort of jeans and a dinosaur shirt.

Ms. Ciullo said she discussed the idea of holding a prom with other library staff who helped her come up with an agenda that included singing, dancing - and, of course, the scarves, maracas and bubbles.

"It definitely was a lot of fun," she said as the first of two scheduled proms came to an end.

Parent Carrie Stepeck and her two-year-old son, Charles, appeared to really get into the spirit of the event, though her three-year-old daughter seemed less enthused - until Ms. Ciullo brought out the bubbles.

As the soapy spheres drifted around her, Victoria broke into a smile and chased after them.

"She needs time to warm up sometimes," her mother said.

"This is the first little people prom I've been to," Carrie added as she and Charles danced around the room. "We love to sing and dance," she said.

Asked who was having more fun, she or her children, Carrie responded, "Me."

Most of the prom attendees were children and parents who regularly come to the library's weekly Babies and Books program.