Braelin turned nine on August 28, 2010. We had invited six of her friends to a "loosely planned" birthday party (read: cheap) and as of Friday night hadn’t heard anything from her two friends from school, no big surprise there. I had room in my car for four girls with seat belts, assuming at least one of them wouldn’t be able to come. So, Braelin tells me that her friend from school had told her that she wanted to come, but that we needed to go and get her. Of course, I have no idea who this child is or where she lives. Braelin assures me she knows where she lives.
So, we set out on our adventure with three girls from church, Braelin, myself and Brianna, Braelin’s aunt. Braelin is insistent upon “swinging by” and picking up Raven, so she directs me to the neighborhood. We get to the street she lives on, and Braelin says, “She lives three houses, two or three houses down from Chrislyn”. Oh, great! Where does Chrislyn live??!! So, the knocking begins. I felt like a madwoman. “Hi, I’m here to take your kid…..this is totally legit.” After the THIRD house we knocked on, we found Raven’s. Her mom said that Raven was at Chrislyn’s house. So, we go down to the house and here comes the two girls. What follows can only be described as a ruckus. Running in and out of houses, with phones that don’t work and dads that don’t speak English, and little girls running up and down the street trying to put their shoes on as they go. I just sat there thinking, “This is going to be a really, really bad idea.”
I couldn't have been more wrong.
Well, we got everyone in the car. Braelin and Brianna had to share a seat/seatbelt so that everyone I wasn’t related to had their own. The minivan was abuzz with chitter chatter.
Zumba with six tweenies is just about as much fun as anyone can ever have. They were hilarious, and just grinning from ear to ear. It was the most fun I think I have EVER had working out! And let me just say that at this point, I was really glad we brought Raven, because she was putting it ALL out there. I mean, ALL. OF. IT. And I loved it!
Because it was the weekend, most of the tunnels were closed, but it was still cool to think we were under all of those big buildings.
We finished off our Downtown date at House of Blues. This is where things really started to get interesting. I can’t even explain it, but the pictures that follow will show you what my words could never say. Happy Birthday, my beautiful Braelin! Thank you for letting me come on this incredible adventure with you!
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