Amelia’s Birthday Number Nine

Our little girl is growing up so fast!  After making the quick trip for Amy’s birthday just a few days earlier, I was ready to let Bubba do the driving and I’ll admit that I slept most of the way back to Atlanta.  Amelia’s ninth birthday was going to be celebrated on her actual birthday, November 12, and we were going to attend the Veteran’s Day program at her school.

Amelia is in her second year of chorus at school.  The group has approximately 200 children who participate and they actually have to turn down applicants.  The choral director is a very talented man who has amazing control over such a big group.  We had a seat on the second row directly across from Amelia.  “The Star Spangled Banner”, “God Bless the USA” and a tribute to the different branches of the armed forces were the crowd favorites.  Amelia looked so proud when her Paw-Paw stood for the singing of “Anchors Aweigh” and I have to admit that I had tears in my eyes.

Big Chorus

Amelia smiles at us

After the program, Bubba and I stopped at a Steak and Shake  for a big breakfast.  Belk’s was having a sale and since I had a coupon to use, we went up the road to the local Belk’s so I could look around.  We were sitting at the traffic light where we turn left into the shopping center, when we were hit hard from behind.  Bubba got out and went to the car that hit us to help the older female driver out  She staggered some when she exited her car and Bubba asked if she needed an ambulance.  Her response was, “No, I’m drunk.”  He helped her sit down.  I had already called for help and it wasn’t too long before an officer responded.  I felt sorry for her.  She said that she had called her AA sponsor that morning, but apparently they had not advised her to stay off the road.  Our car was still in good enough shape to drive, but hers sustained too much damage and a wrecker was called to get it.  After conducting some sobriety tests, the officer placed her handcuffed in the back of his car.    I had texted Darryl and Amy to let them know that we had been in an accident and were doing all right.  Both offered to come to the scene, but we were doing fine.

Her car, Toyota Rav 4

Our car

Note:  I am writing this two weeks after this happened.  The first adjuster who called us told us to just sit tight and they would send someone to take pictures and do an estimate on damages.  After a week of waiting, I called and was told that was not the way it was supposed to be handled.  We carried it to the Hyundai dealer body repair shop where they took the pictures and worked up an estimate.  We are waiting now for a call telling us that the claim has been approved and parts have been ordered so we can take the car in for repairs and leave it.  We get a rental car to use for the approximate two weeks that they anticipate it will take to make the repairs.  In other words, we are unable to travel or make many plans until we get the car in the shop.

Amelia’s party on Saturday was a huge success. It was held at a place that provides rock climbing experiences.  I was surprised to see how much the children enjoyed this.  Out of the fourteen who attended, I did not see a single one who appeared timid about trying to climb the walls.  There was pizza and birthday cake after the climbing plus lots of presents to open.

Amelia is amazing!

Darryl gives it a try

Bat Girl - Super Hero Theme

I'm posing, not climbing

Bubba had to be called down.

Amelia got to pick where we  ate over the weekend.  She chose Five Guys on Friday night and Sunday for lunch she chose Mellow Mushroom.  Sunday afternoon we played board games with Amelia while Amy graded papers and did laundry upstairs.  That night we had pancakes and bacon for supper.  It was a fun birthday weekend (except for the accident) and we’re so glad we can celebrate Amelia’s birthday with her.

We're playing Clue, the Harry Potter version.