Later, Beth and I were going to the mall with Mary Anne. Kaylee couldn't make it. She was having Chemo treatment and I don't have anyone to watch. Mom choose to let the younger kids to be with friends to let Kayla rest.

"Mary Anne, what's the plan for Dawn's party?" I asked.

"It was tough to make some arrangements," said Mary Anne.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It was supposed to be just us having a quiet party at her grandparents', but plans got changed," said Mary Anne.

"Like what?" asked Beth.

"Since we don't see the girls very often, she wanted to invite them to her birthday party," said Mary Anne.

"Of course she can do whatever she wants because she's going to be the birthday girl," said Beth.

"Dad doesn't mind," said Mary Anne.

"I remember we're all going," I said.

"She also invited the whole BSC," said Mary Anne.

"Oh, good," I said. "I'm looking forward to see them again."

"Logan is going," said Mary Anne.

"Good," I said.

"But he won't be going to California. He'll be visiting his family in Kentucky, which is fine, but at least he'll be at the party, so I'm not worried. It's better than nothing," said Mary Anne.

"I know," said Beth.

"Oh, Kaylee, do you know if Kayla is going to the party?" asked Mary Anne.

"Yes, so far," I said.

"We can wait and see how she feels first. If she can't, she can still make it for up when we go to California," said Mary Anne.

"That's true," I said.

"Plus, Marci, Patti, and Kathi are attending," said Mary Anne.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about them. I thought they were at your sleepover party," I said.

"They couldn't make it to my sleepover party because they had plans, so I'm glad I'll be seeing them," said Mary Anne.

"I bet. Are they going to California, too?" I asked.

"Not sure," said Mary Anne. "I invited them to go. Marci is usually out of town during Winter Break. I'm not sure about Kathi or Patti. I'm sure I'll find out when I see them."

"That's usually busy time for anyone during school vacation," said Beth.

"Dawn is planning to see her California girls to celebrate her birthday during our visit," said Mary Anne.

"Where is the party to be held by the way?" I asked.

"We waited for everyone's response before making those arrangements," said Mary Anne.

"Good idea," I said.

"And once everyone replied saying they are all going, we were able to solve that issue. Kristy decided to be the host the birthday because there is no way to hold a party at her grandparents' house. It's a bit too small," said Mary Anne.

"Makes sense," said Beth.

"I missed our old house for that party. Our yard was big enough for our parties," said Mary Anne.

"And, everything else," I said.

"What day are leaving again?" I asked.

"On Friday after school because the party is on a Saturday afternoon," said Mary Anne. "So, Dad is planning on leaving right after we get off the bus. He said you can meet us at our house."

"Okay," I said.

"Sounds good," said Beth.

"We're taking two cars since you girls are coming with us. We'll figure it out," said Mary Anne. "Dawn and Carlos might leave with Sharon while the rest of us go with Dad."

At the mall, I said, "So, what should we do here?"

"We can just hang out like we usually do, explore in a few stores, and grab dinner at the food court," said Beth.

"I plan to get some more earrings," said Mary Anne.

"Where do you plan to buy them?" I asked.

"But I can only afford to get them at Claire's, especially since you and I haven't been watching your siblings much lately," said Mary Anne.

"I agree," I said.

I can see what Mary Anne is saying. We only watch them when we're needed. Beth likes to pitch in since she enjoys baby-sitting, so she'd do it if Mary Anne can't for any reason, which barely happens. The only times that she can't help out is when she'd go watch Carlos when he have any basketball games at their school. Sometimes, it can be held after school or it can be held at night.

We went to Claire's. She picked two pairs after she checked to see if she had enough money. She was allowed to have them pierced not long ago. Now, she have been buying more- her father told her she can do that anytime when we hang out at the mall. First time she bought them for herself, April was so bossy that I made her leave back then. That was why Mary Anne didn't want to hang out with April alone when they first reconnected slowly (she included me).

At the food court, I said, "When the tickets for Disneyland are going to be coming in the mail?"

"Soon. It should be here any day now," said Mary Anne. "I've been on the look out so that Dawn won't see it."

"Good idea," said Beth.

Mary Anne got a text from D.J. and when she read it, she replied okay. "It's funny we were just talking about it because she just texted me to tell me she mailed them this afternoon, so we should be getting it the day before we leave for Stoneybrook."

"Perfect," said Beth.

"She wants me to text her as soon as they come in the mail so she'd know we have them," said Mary Anne.

"Good plan," I said.

"This is going to be a fun week," said Mary Anne.

"This was a good time for her to text me while Dawn's not with us," said Beth.

"I know," I said.

Mary Anne got another text from D.J. and read it. "So, D.J. just gave me two options. When I get the tickets in the mail, I can either give it to Dawn on her birthday or give it her while we're in California to surprise her when they come over to Dawn's California house. What do you girls think?"

"This would be a good time to talk it over," I said. "I think we can pick the second option so Dawn won't know until then."

"That makes sense to me," said Beth.

"I like that idea," said Mary Anne.

"Me, too," said Beth.

After we discussed it, Mary Anne replied D.J. the answer. After we had dinner, it was time for us to head home.