The next day, I told Mom that I'll be spending the afternoon with Mary Anne after school.
"That's fine. You can take a break from watching the younger kids. Karen and Andrew are going to be with their mother. David Michael can stay with your older brothers since they'll be around," said Mom. "My mom will be taking Emily Michelle out for the day. You can be with Mary Anne for dinner."
Charlie, Sam, and I watch the other kids if one of us is free. Karen likes to spend time with her best friend, Hannah, near her father's. She and Andrew spend time with us every other month. She has another best friend, Nancy, near her mom's. They're like the three musketeers.
Then, I got my stuff and went out to wait for the bus. I live too far to walk to Stoneybrook High School. I still have to take the bus. Shannon came to wait with me. There's only one high school. We didn't wait for long when the bus came.
At school, at lunch, I said, "I will be going home with you today."
"Okay, great," said Mary Anne.
"I have no one to baby-sit," I said. "It's Karen and Andrew's month to be with their mom. David Michael will be with Charlie and Sam. Nannie's taking Emily Michelle out."
"I don't have anyone to watch until this weekend," said Mary Anne.
"And, I get to have supper with you," I said.
"That's good," said Mary Anne. "Dad approved Marci, Patti, and Kathi to be over for Christmas lunch as their back up plan."
"A back up plan is always a good idea," I said.
"I know. Dawn was surprised about that because of the family time, but Dad told her it was fine for any reason. I might as well go tell them before I forget," said Mary Anne.
She went to go see them and told them.
"We got permission, too, just in case," said Kathi.
After school, I walked home with her. Dawn went home with Mallory who's helping her watching her seven siblings. At her home, we were doing homework together.
"Dawn and I had a lot of ideas on what to do for the party, but we'll mention the rest at the club meeting," said Mary Anne.
"Okay," I said. "Good idea."
We do it in the kitchen when she have friends over. We didn't had much. At 5:00 pm, we left for Claudia's. At the club, Mary Anne and Dawn told us about the idea they came up with.
"Dad and Sharon said they're fine with that after we checked with them," said Mary Anne.
"I like that idea," said Stacey.
"Me, too," said Mallory.
"Your families can handle that while we do the desserts," said Dawn.
"Okay," said Kayla.
"Sounds good," said Kaylee.
After the club meeting, I went back to the house with Mary Anne and Dawn. At the house, we were cooking while Carlos and Meredith set the table. We were making penne with alfredo sauce and garlic bread. Dinner was served when Mr. Spier and Sharon got home from work.
After we ate, we cleaned up.
"We can do the desserts during our sleepover," said Mary Anne.
"That would be a great idea," I agreed.
"I agree," said Dawn.
"We'll have to do some shopping on dessert ideas," said Mary Anne.
"We can do it this weekend," I said. "Which day are you baby-sitting?"
"Sunday afternoon. I'm helping Kayla and Kaylee," said Mary Anne, "Their parents are going out of town and won't be home until 8:00 pm."
"Okay, we can always do it on Sunday," I said.
"That works," said Mary Anne.
D.J. is one tough kid to handle- which is why Kayla and Kaylee always need Mary Anne to help them out. She knows how to handle him.
"I wonder if it would be fun if the kids help you shop for the desserts and let them help us bake. I can come by and help if it's okay with their parents," I said.
"I can call Mrs. Willis and you can ask her," said Mary Anne.
Mary Anne told Mrs. Willis that I needed to ask her something. I told her about my idea and she gave me permission to do so.
"I'll let the girls know," said Mrs. Willis.
"It would be fun to do to get ready for the party," I said.
"I agree," said Mrs. Willis.
"The other girls' families are bringing food to the party while we handle the desserts," I said.
"Good," said Mrs. Willis.
After we finished talking, Mary Anne, Dawn, and I talked about what to bake the kids can help us with.
"I'll write the list of we'd need," said Mary Anne. "I just have to go next door right after lunch. Their parents will feed them first so we won't have to bother."
"What time are you going?" I asked.
"Around 1:00 pm," replied Mary Anne.
"I'll meet you then," I said.
"And, D.J. can help as long as he behaves," said Mary Anne.
"Good idea. We can tell him that," I said.
We talked for a long time until Mom came for me at 8:00 pm. On the way, I said, "I'm going to Mary Anne's to help with the Willis on Sunday. We're going to take them out shopping and get some baked goods to make for the Christmas Party."
"Oh, good," said Mom.
"She said she's going to be there for 1:00 pm," I said.
"Okay," said Mom.
"It would give them something to do," I said.
"True. I can always come and help if you want," said Mom.
"Sounds good. I'll text Mrs. Willis to ask her first," I said.
I did and she said she had no problem with that. The more, the merrier.
"The van's big enough to fit everyone with us," said Mom.
"Okay, great," I said. "Mary Anne is helping the girls from 1:00 to 8:00 pm. She does that because of D.J. can be very hard to handle."
At home, I called Mary Anne to tell her that Mom would be helping us and added Mrs. Willis didn't had an issue.
"Oh, perfect," said Mary Anne.
"Mom will take us shopping since her van is bigger," I said.
"Fine with me," said Mary Anne. "I can't wait to get that started."
"Me, either," I said.
Later, I changed up and went to bed for 10:00 pm.