Accidentally Eden

Hi! My name is Eden! I live in Virginia, near the water. I don’t have brothers or sisters, but guess what? My BRAIN goes on SUPER cool adventures! Sometimes, I pretend I was born to different parents in different countries. Like… Mexico! And guess what? I just had an adventure there for my “pretend” sister María’s *Quinceañera*! (That’s a BIG party for her 15th birthday!)

Mi Abuela (that’s grandma in Spanish!) let me help make TAMALES in her kitchen! The kitchen had blue tiles and STEAMY pots. Abuela sang songs while stirring mole sauce. It smelled spicy! Abuela told me stories about her sister’s Quinceañera. She said, *“Tradición es familia!”* I don’t know Spanish well yet, but I think it means traditions are FAMILY!

I got to see María try on a super fancy dress, like a princess! The dress was bright pink, and she picked a sparkly crown called a *corona*. I thought, *“Wow, she’s really turning into a grown-up lady!”*

María’s friends practiced dancing together. They looked kinda silly trying to be serious. I laughed when one of them tripped during the waltz—it was like watching a funny movie!

At church, I helped put flowers everywhere and lit a candle. The priest talked about how María is growing up to be kind and strong.

My aunts let me taste yummy sweets while they cooked big meals. I sneaked a bite of almond candy and listened to stories about Abuela’s recipes. It was a great day!

María got a doll dressed just almost like her! “This is her last kid toy,” Abuela said. I wonder, *“What will she do with it?”*

I lined up 15 candles, each for someone special. I practiced handing them to María, who said nice things about each person. I whispered, *“Don’t drop the candles, Eden!”*

María practiced a secret dance—It wasn’t a boring waltz music, it was cool hip-hop! I spied on her and tried to copy her moves.

I glued ribbons on tiny party favors and hung colorful paper banners. It was like a craft explosion! I hoped guests would say, *“Wow, Eden made these!”*

An aunt waved smoky herbs around María. I thought it might be magic!

I licked frosting off a giant piece of cake and pretended my juice was fancy grown-up drinks. I practiced toasting: *“To María, the coolest almost-adult!”*

The Day of the Quinceañera

**Then…** I got to wear a SPARKLY pink dress and dance the *vals* with my cousin Carlos! We spun SO FAST I almost fell! María’s dress was HUGE—like a cupcake with a million sprinkles.

We went to church, and María looked like a PRINCESS with a crown and roses. Everyone cried, even Papá! Then we rode in a LIMO with ribbons—it felt like a spaceship! At the party, a mariachi band played LOUD songs. We ate tacos, churros (they’re like sugar sticks!), and a cake called *tres leches*, which means three milks in English. Abuelo (my grandpa) danced with me and spun me SO FAST my dress twirled like a tornado!

At MIDNIGHT…

María threw her *última muñeca* (last doll) into the air… AND I CAUGHT IT!!! Luis said, *“You’re next, Eden!”* I yelled, *“NO WAY—I’M ONLY EIGHT!”*

Now…

I’m so tired and in bed with my new doll. It’s SO PRETTY with ruffles just like María’s dress! I think traditions are like… secret codes families have. And even though I don’t have a sister here in Virginia, in my adventures, I can have a MILLION sisters, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and learn a MILLION things! Maybe next, I’ll pretend I’m in… JAPAN! Or KENYA! Or… ANTARCTICA?!

You will just have to wait to see where I “accidentally” end up.

“Nos vemos en mi próxima aventura!” (See you on my next adventure!)

**Remember:**

If you think really HARD, your imagination and your heart can go ANYWHERE! Goodnight!!! Or should I say “Buenas noches”🌎✨ Now back to Virginia!

The End