In December the elementary school had a winter wonderland fundraiser and Avery begged me to "win" her a lunch date with the school's service dog Charlie in the silent auction.
$40 later we "won"!
I arranged her lunch date with Charlie to be on her birthday, which she loved.
After school a friend came over and myself and four kids headed out to dinner (birthday girl's choice, Moe's Southwest Grill). A stop at Sweet Frog's for dessert and then an evening of swimming at the local community center.
Our girl is deep, but our girl is simple. Stephen pointed out to me that she is so hard to buy gifts for because of her love of the simple life. So we gave her a choice, a birthday party or a date with mommy at the Baltimore aquarium for a sleepover with the dolphins. Her choice was quick and simple, dolphins, definitely dolphins.
Amazing experience that my girl and I will remember for a very long time. Touring the aquarium after hours with a tour guide that has worked or volunteered at the facility since opening day over 35 years ago (after visiting this aquarium so many times we really thought we knew the place...boy were we wrong!). Behind the scenes information and rooms that are kind of mind blowing.
Making new friends.
Watching a really special girl do her thing with her animal friends.
Using some of her birthday money, little miss bought a bat at the aquarium gift shop. When she heard the guides mention dolphins love to play, she held her bat up to the window to see if they would come over.
Not only did the youngest dolphin come up to play, Bailey did a flip, and then began blowing bubble rings followed by catching them with her teeth. It was amazing and I didn't really capture the moment well because it was such a beautiful sight to experience in person.
We had a really special moment of time together. What a blessing to share this time with an amazing "little" girl that I have the honor of raising and calling my daughter.
