For our niece’s ("P") 13th birthday, DH and I purchased tickets to a "VIP Shopping Night" at a local mall.
The evening began with a small dinner and party for our other niece "K", who had just turned 10. She spent the day with her dad (my brother), horseback riding, so this was a nice end to an active day for her.
‘P’ and I went to the mall and entered one of three private lounges. We received a bag with a $20.00 gift certificate to any place in the mall, a travel jewelry case, and a list of all the stores participating in the VIP Shopping Night. These stores had appetizers, giveaways, contests, and special discounts for the "VIP Shoppers", (we wore a wristband).
The private lounges had a dessert table, and a coffee/tea table. Here we are in one of the lounges, making a plan for our shopping journey.
We hit all the stores she wanted to go to first, then sat to watch a runway show. We went to another lounge, and another runway show. Each model held a little placard so you could see which store offered that outfit.
My two favorite memories of the night:
1) We entered a costume jewelry story called "Gild" (or "Gilt", I don’t recall). They had an appetizer table at the entrance. ‘P’ went to the table and picked up a large cracker and cheese. As we walked to the center of the store, I glanced at ‘P’ at just the same moment she noticed something. Her eyes bugged wide open and she froze. When I looked to see what she saw, I started cracking up. It was a table laden with fruit and a chocolate fountain! She took one look at her cracker and said, "Do you want this?"
2) On the way to the mall, she asked me if I listened to Country music. Typically, I have Contemporary Christian in the car, but I let her toggle between two Country stations. She kept telling me about her favorite song. It is a song by Kelly Pickler, and it is about loving yoursef, and being beautiful inside. She kept trying to find it so I could hear it. Well, guess what was the very last song we heard while driving home? The song ended as I was pulling into her Dad’s driveway. That was a perfect way to end a special night and I thank God for the gift.
You are such a wonderful aunt to your nieces. What a blessing to be able to spend such precious time with P on her birthday.
(love your new do by the way)
Love Megan