Girls Only Weekend | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Girls Only Weekend | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judy Doyle
04/22/08
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

“Girls Only Weekend” with my sister-in-law, niece and two great nieces was so much fun. I won’t talk about age, but my niece is about thirty-five years old, my great nieces are eight years old and a three and a half year old. I assure you that half year is very important to Claire.

I wanted them to have great time because I want them to visit again. I had several suggestions for activities. Would they like horseback riding? Perhaps swimming would be a good choice. Maybe they would enjoy the zoo. I thought,

“Oh, my goodness. What have I gotten myself into?”

Swimming was the event for Saturday morning. Kate is a mermaid. She loves to swim. Her gramma watched as she swam underwater. Claire, the three-year-old, could swim, but today she decided to cling to her mother. I simply enjoyed watching.

Following our dip in the pool, we headed to the home of the Golden Arches for a quick lunch. On the way the kids spotted “Double D’s” dairy bar with a large ice cream cone out front. It was all we could do to get past “Double D’s” without them screaming bloody murder.

“I have a surprise for you. After the surprise, I promise we’ll come back for some ice cream. Okay?” It was going to be okay whether they liked it or not.

After lunch, we headed for the mall. There, awaiting the girls, was the surprise. As we approached the store, we covered Claire and Kate’s eyes. Walking carefully through the doors, we removing our hands from their eyes, I announced,

“Okay, girls. Choose the animal you want to stuff.” I call the store “Build a Bear.” Their eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Claire, who thinks she’s a princess, chose a poodle with a pink fur.

“Do you want to dress it?” I asked the excited little girl.
“Uh-huh.” I thought it would take her forever to select an outfit. I was wrong. In less than three minutes, Claire had not only selected the poodle, but she’d chosen a butterfly fairy costume. She “helped” the store employee stuff the poodle. With a kiss of love, Gabriella the poodle was officially adopted by Claire. I helped Claire dress Gabriella. We posed for a photo. Claire and gramma spent some time together while I helped Kate with her selection.

Kate, an unabashed tomboy, loves all sports. It took her a bit longer to select the animal she wanted to stuff. Finally, she decided upon a husky. Not surprisingly, she dressed her dog in a soccer uniform. Kate dubbed the husky “Buddy.” Sounds like a good name for a soccer playing husky, doesn’t it? This great-aunt is now seventy-seven dollars less great. But I’m enjoying every bit of it.

I turned to Kristina, their mother, to ask the next question. “There’s a candy store here. Do you mind if I take the girls there?” It was very important to ask permission. Kristina is a dental hygienist. I needed to have her okay before I told the girls. Permission was granted.

Hand in hand we walk toward the candy store. As I entered, I realized the girls had stopped. It was as if they’d hit a barrier. Kristina urged them on into the store. Their mother was letting them go into a candy store? Kate announced,

“It’s a miracle!” It really wasn’t a miracle. The girls do get candy, but it is limited. They made their selection. This was going to be an expensive weekend, but I’m lovin’ every bit of it. After a twenty minute ride back home, we stop at “Double D’s” for ice cream.

Girls Only weekend included attending a worship service. I help lead the worship service. As the pastor and I are recessing out after the service, I see Claire waving furiously. I reach my “spot” in the foyer where I shake hands with the worshipers. Running down the aisle is three-year-old, Claire. I stoop over and she jumps into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her and twirl around. As each worshiper leaves, I smiled and said, “God bless you. This is my great-niece.”

The girls were asked what was the best part of the “Girls Only Weekend.” Their answers? Build-a-bear (dog) and “the candy miracle.”

When I think about our Girls Only Weekend, I smile. It was so much fun. I’m exhausted just reliving it.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.