Stumped

So, I'm working on this dress:




(I'm not supposed to say who the model is, but let's just say he's a size 4)
It started out as a dust ruffle, cut into a long strip, sewed to make a circle. Then I put elastic in at the top based on the "model's" measurements to avoid a zipper/button closure in the back. The straps I thought were BRILLIANT until I realized that once I sew them in the elastic won't be effective.
WHAT TO DO??
Seriously, I'm totally stumped. Now I don't know if anyone of you that reads this sews, but if you do and have an idea, please comment! It's just too cute to not finish! AND if you help me and have a daughter that's roughly a size 4, maybe I'll gift it to you, because I'm pretty sure the model is done wearing it anyway.
THANKS!!

Five years old

This morning my sister and I were discussing the sad story of a young woman. This YW had been so severely abused in the first five years of her life (that's how old she was when she was removed from her home) that she may never recover emotionally. Her actions are constantly reinforcing the way she was taught by her abusers.

Her story really disturbed me and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I guess because Damen will be five this year and it got me thinking. If the rest of his life is based on things he's learned in these first five years, what will he take from them? Both positive and negative things I'm sure, and things that will be almost impossible to change. We are such a force for good and for bad in our children, do we see that every day? Do we think about the impact we're having? We have loved and nurtured Damen, but it's probably the things we didn't intend to teach him that we'll wonder about.

Miss ya!

Oh how we will miss Allison's sweet smile and this fun laughter in our home. Allison's daddy got transfered to northern California, we'll miss you guys!