Over the past couple of months things had changed quite a bit for Katie and her friends. Katie and Mary Elise still lived normally, well as anyone with a Ring of Age could be. Mary Elise had noticed that Katie was down in the dumps and had done whatever she could to brighten her spirits. Despite some age related adventures she just couldn't brighten her sisters mood.
For Claudia her entire world had been turned upside down. Having two children to now look after Claudia's adult children thought she may be losing her mind. Claudia quickly dismissed that though and put their minds at ease. She loved having 10 year old Mika and 7 year old Sofia in her home. What her children did not know was the true nature of those children. Mika, who had been a friend of hers since high school, was now reliving her youth. As an added bonus she was now a wizard in training. Despite some magical missteps at the house she was beginning to become quite good. As for Sofia, the former elderly woman was now a hyperactive 7 year old but a truly darling child. Even though her energy was overwhelming at times Claudia appreciated having her around. Especially with Mikas magical training taken up many an afternoon and occasional weekend.
Sammy and Jacob were still the best of friends, which is just how Samantha wanted it. As the two inched closer to eleven though the onset of puberty was beginning to take over. The friends now began to see each other as more than that. Although Samantha was looking forward to when they would move into that part of their relationship she worried how her former husband turned best friend would handle the situation. She now found herself talking more often with Tricia. The two had patched up their differences after months of not talking. It was nice that despite Sammy being 10 and Tricia being 65 the two could talk like close friends once again.
Finally Tricia found herself in a unique situation. While she enjoyed her adulthood she still found herself involved in many age related adventures. She now found herself trying to balance her relationship with Samantha, her 10 year old friend she had know since high school, and Karen, the girls fourth grade teacher. As Merlin had predicted Karen had indeed become part of the group. While Karen had participated in a couple of Age changing adventures she still tried to maintain her position as the girls teacher. As a result her and Samantha sometimes butted heads, especially when they were the same age. Tricia now knew how Mary Elise felt when the group experienced their first childhood. She was now the one responsible for keeping Sammy and Karen from coming to blows.
With the girls off from school now for Christmas break a decision had been reached. The group would be getting together for a blow out party that would start December 30th with a sleepover and Claudias and be finished New Year's Day. This would be the largest gathering the group and the first time all of them had been together since Halloween. While the grouped hoped for a fun couple of days together deep down they knew that between Katie's funk, Samantha and Karen's rivalry and Mikas magic things could become complicated. Claudia was now making final preparations as she heard the doorbell ring announcing the first guests arrival.