It was a Friday afternoon, and Tanisha was at her desk, tapping her pencil because could not wait for school to be over. This weekend, she was going to her Aunt Frankie’s house for a sleepover. Aunt Frankie was the coolest, funnest, most hilarious aunt in the whole wide world. She had the best snacks at her house, they would stay up late dancing in the kitchen, and they loved to do arts & crafts. Get this; late at night, Tanisha and her aunt would even walk to the ice cream shop in their pyjamas, and eat popcorn for breakfast - things that Tanisha would never be able to do at home.

Aunt Frankie was simply the best.

As soon as the school bell rang, Tanisha grabbed her backpack, raced down the stairs, busted out of the double doors, and peered into the parking lot with excitement.

There she was! Aunt Frankie, in her classic, red, drop top convertible, blasting her favourite song.

* BEEP BEEP *

Aunt Frankie, hopped out and opened the car door for Tanisha, like a butler. Tanisha laughed and jumped into her arms, giving her a huge, warm hug. Aunt Frankie hugged back, just as tight.

“Alright! Buckle up, we’ve got things to do. Oh, and here’s your happy meal; chicken nuggets, fries, orange juice and two barbeque sauces, just how you like”, said Aunt Frankie with a smile on her face.

Tanisha couldn’t wait to dig in, she was always so hungry after school. 

First up was the cafe and then, the nail salon.

“It’s called self-care”, said Aunt Frankie.

Tanisha ordered her favourite; a white hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and caramel sauce on top.

Mmm, mmm, mmm, delicious

At the nail salon, Tanisha and Aunt Frankie got pedicures. They sipped their drinks, laughing together as the bubbles tickled their feet. As always, Tanisha and her Aunt got matching toenail polish, periwinkle blue with a design on the big toe.

Right next door was a movie theatre, Aunt Frankie and Tanisha exchanged looks and blurted out at the exact same time, “movie theatre popcorn”.

---
Listen, kids. There’s nothing like a good bag of fresh movie theater popcorn, drenched in butter, filled to the brim, and spilling out of the sides. Oh boy, is it hot in here or is it just me?
---

After picking up the popcorn, it was time for PIZZA!

“Do you want to eat at the pizza shop, or eat at home?”, asked Aunt Frankie

“I want to eat at the pizza shop, and people watch!”, said Tanisha

People watching with her aunt was one of Tanisha’s favourite things to do. They loved looking at everyone who came in and out, imagining what their pizza order was and what music they were listening to in their headphones. Are they a dipping sauce person, or do they enjoy a dry pizza crust? These things were important.

After her bubble bath, Tanisha and her aunt worked together to move the bed into the living room. YES! They moved the entire bed right into the middle of livingroom for the ultimate sleepover. Snacking in bed while watching movies was so much fun. They watched their number one movie pick: Turning Red. This was their fourth time watching it. Movies like Turning Red just never get old.

Singing and dancing along to their favourite parts of the movie really made Tanisha and Aunt Frankie tired, and at 12:24am, the two fell fast asleep.

“Good morning, sleepyhead”, said Aunt Frankie as Tanisha opened her eyes slowly with a big yawn. “Breakfast is almost ready, then your dad is coming to pick you up for your swimming lessons.”

“Awwww, I don’t wanna go”, said Tanisha.

Tanisha felt like crying, she loved her Aunt Frankie so much, and it never seemed like they had enough time together. Plus, swimming lessons were so boring.

“Can’t I just stay one more day?”, she asked her aunt.

Aunt Frankie handed her the phone so that Tanisha could ask her dad for permission to stay one more day.

“Hey dad. Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmmm, awwwwww. But Dad? Oh-kay”, said Tanisha, feeling upset.

Tanisha’s dad told her that he was picking her up in 45 minutes and that she had to attend her swimming lessons, even if they were boring.

Tanisha began to cry. Aunt Frankie sat next to her, wiping away the tears. She told Tanisha that she was having so much fun too, but she has to listen to what her dad says, and if swimming lessons are important, then she’s gotta go to swimming lessons. BUT, another holiday was right around the corner, and Aunt Frankie invited Tanisha to stay with her for one whole week!

Tanisha smiled so big, jumping up and down, happy as can be. They began planning the most epic party while enjoying breakfast; cinnamon rolls and tea.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you have an aunt, uncle, or adult that you really love spending time with? What do you like most about them?

2. What would your ultimate sleepover be like?

3. When you don’t want to leave a fun party or play date, but your parents tell you that it’s time to go home, do you get upset? What makes you feel better?