Today, Carissa and I spent the day together to celebrate her 17th birthday (which happened a couple weeks ago). After the nieces and nephews turn 8 years old, we give them the choice of receiving a gift from us for their birthday OR doing an activity with us. Since the time she was old enough to choose, Carissa has always chosen the activity. The other kids usually like to choose an activity themselves, but Carissa always lets me choose it. Much of the time, it's some variation of she and I driving around in the car together for the day with stops along the way (often there are surprise visits from Uncle Greg along the way, though that didn't happen this time).
This year, we went on a "chocolate shop tour".
First we visited Abdullah candy store in Apple Valley. Abdullah is a local candy maker. They sell their products in many grocery stores and craft shops throughout the state. This is their one retail store in the state, and it's worth the trip.
We had lunch at "The Smoothie Cafe" in Savage. Her mom told me she had been to one when they were on vacation in Florida, and she really enjoyed it. I kept our lunch destination a secret until we arrived there. She was very excited when we pulled into the parking lot.
Since we were already on the southern end of things, we kept going and visited the Largest Candy Store in Minnesota, which is in Jordan. It is a sight to behold, and it earns its name.
That candy store had an old fashioned photo booth (with old fashioned prices). It was $2.00 for two strips of pictures (in color), one for each of us. We couldn't pass up that deal. We had fun doing it, as you might have noticed.
We finished the day at one of my favorite chocolate shops, the Droolin' Moose, also a local shop. We didn't take a picture there, but we did have a fun time.
While we were driving around all day, between stops, Carissa and I played the game "Things" It's a card game that's usually played with a group of people, but I've always used the cards from the game as conversation starters when I have teenagers in the car with me. Carissa and I have played it during our past mini adventures. We pick a card and then take turns trying to name as many things we can think of that match that card until we run out of ideas.
Some of the cards we drew were: things that no one knows about you, things you were wrong about, things that don't go together, things that are hard to measure, things you wish you were good at, things that are not true, etc.
We had a lot of great conversation around these simple little cards. It's a nonthreatening way to have a conversation that goes a little deeper than "So, what did you do yesterday?
It was a great day together. Happy Birthday Carissa! You are loved by your Aunt and Uncle.
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