Chapter 9: The Christmas Sleepover
One cold third Saturday of December 2022, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri, along with some of my other best friends Carly Shay and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Lauren Bennett's house in Cheswick. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my best friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. We participated in 2 Childhood Chats prior to the party. While jamming out to Kate Bush, Samantha Mifflin discussed eating waffles for breakfast at a year old in Bloomfield, Lauren Bennett discussed having a photo shoot at 4 years old in Highland Park, Emily Grey discussed sporting her new slippers in preschool in Lawrenceville, Sarah Ching discussed staying comfy in 7th grade in Morningside, Grace Luster discussed dancing to music in 4th grade in Point Breeze, Madison Dayley discussed using her new night light at the end of 7th grade in Regent Square, Jennifer Preager discussed playing with her new stuffed animal at 17 years old in Squirrel Hill, and Kayla Jennis discussed eating doughnuts for breakfast at 19 years old in Stanton Heights. While jamming out to NSYNC, Julia Robison discussed eating waffles for breakfast in 3rd grade in downtown Pittsburgh, Ashley Cassoin discussed having a photo shoot in 2nd grade in East Liberty, Elizabeth Mosh discussed using her new wheelie bag in 9th grade in the North Side, Isabella Black discussed sporting her new slippers in 4th grade in Oakland, Rachel Luster discussed staying comfy in 3rd grade in Shadyside, and Abigail Mifflin discussed dancing to music at 19 years old in the South Side. While Lauren's Christmas sleepover itself consisted of Christmas karaoke, a gift exchange, and a snow globe craft, we added an icebreaker game about the Childhood Chats experienced. "I would love to have waffles on Liberty Avenue since that goes through both Bloomfield and downtown Pittsburgh," Fiona stated. "I also live on Liberty Avenue in the city of Pittsburgh, so I could even consider going out for breakfast in my pajamas." "A photo shoot in East Liberty, Highland Park, or even Sharpsburg would be more convenient for me than Murrysville," Lauren stated. "No wonder a lot of people didn't attend the photo shoot this summer because it was so far away," James stated. "Huh, Spencer?" "I suppose, James," Spencer agreed. "I got slippers as a present for the gift exchange," Emily pointed out. "Lawrenceville and Oakland are known to be the hot neighborhoods in Pittsburgh." "We knew this," I happily stated. "By the way, did I tell you that my friends and I are enrolling in MSG Academy in Turtle Creek next year?" Emily asked. "Congratulations!" Sarah stated. "Hopefully, you don't get any Earth Day projects that you slip up on like I did my freshman year of high school." "Staying comfy is crucial for a sleepover," Juliet stated. "Hence the neighborhoods with 'side' in the name, you get a shady morning!" Everyone laughed at Juliet's joke. "That was a funny joke, Juliet," Henri stated, laughing. "Wasn't it funny, Mr. Benson?" "Yes, Henri," Mr. Benson agreed. "The best joke I have heard all night." "I used to live in the South Side, but now I live in Point Breeze, and dancing to music is my favorite thing to do," India stated. "Hey Angel, if you ever want girls to take care of who are more youthful than the Mifflins, I have an older brother named Gerald, and 2 younger twin sisters, Kelly and Lilly, and another younger sister named Audrey." "I could look into it, India," I happily stated. "Of course, I would have to talk to Jenna about it!" There were Christmas cookies and cupcakes, as well as eggnog and hot chocolate to drink. "I liked meeting Angel at Edinboro to go out for pizza and ice cream that one year, Sarah," Carly stated. "It would have been fun, Carly," Sarah stated. "Hopefully, we get to hang out some more before the holidays!" "We might be going back home to Gettysburg for Christmas, but will try to be back by New Year's in case Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties does something fun," Sarah explained. "I liked making pizzas in Allison Park, taking fun photos in Swisshelm Park, and putting up a tent and sleeping in it in Blawnox this past Wednesday," Carly happily stated. Pretty soon, it was time for all of us to go to bed. "Thanks for a great day, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"