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Double Digit Birthday

Written by Bernadette McCarthy Illustrated by Caroline Fesler Fabby Friends LLC Copyright 2017

A Special Treat   “Please wake up. Please wake up,” Molly whispered. “Come on. Wake up.”  It was Saturday morning. Livie was still in bed. Her little sister was sitting next to her. She was trying to be quiet. But it was very hard. She had a surprise for Livie.  It was Livie’s birthday. She was turning 10. It was her first double-digit birthday. Now she had two numbers in her age, a 1 and a 0. That made this birthday something big! 

Livie opened one eye. “Uhhhhhhh,” she moaned. Molly stayed very still. Livie didn’t see her. Then Livie’s nose began to wiggle. It wiggled up and down. She sniffed the air. Suddenly Livie made a loud SNORT. Molly laughed out loud. “Happy Double-Digit Birthday!” Molly said. “Yikes! You scared me!” Livie cried. “Your SNORT scared me!” Molly said. “Look! Look what I made you!” Livie sat up. Molly gave her the plate. Livie’s eyes got very big. “What’s this?” she asked. Livie saw a lump of whip cream. It had chocolate sauce. It had sprinkles. “I made it myself,” Molly said. “It has yummy things in it.” Livie hugged her sister. “You are the best six-year-old in the whole world,” said Livie. Molly smiled.

“Well, here goes,” Livie said. She scooped up a big bite. She opened her mouth. “Mmmmmm,” she said. “De-lish!” Molly saw Livie’s stuffed dog next to her. He was under the covers. His head was peaking out. “I think Lopsy wants to wake up,” Molly said. “Go ahead,” said Livie. “You can pick him up.” Molly pulled back the covers. “Come here little one,” she said. Molly put the dog in her lap. She petted his long soft ears. “I think Lospy wants a bite of your birthday treat,” she said. Molly pretended to walk Lopsy across the bed. She put his nose by the plate. “Whoof. Whoof. This is yummy!” Molly said in her best dog voice. The girls laughed. Livie put the spoon back into the whip cream. The spoon hit something hard. “What’s in here?” Livie asked.

“I’m not telling. Just try it. Take a big bite,” Molly giggled. Livie scooped up a big bite. She opened her mouth wide. In it went. She chewed slowly. Something felt soft. Something felt crunchy. It tasted sweet. It tasted salty. And sour too! Suddenly Livie’s eyes got very big. “Molly!” she shouted. “There are potato chips in here. And strawberries! And pickles! What did you do?” “I put your favorite foods in there. What do you think?” she asked. “It kind of tastes weird,” Livie said. “ But, I like it!” She took another bite. And another bite. And another bite. Soon it was all gone.

Gotcha “Where’s Bucky?” asked Livie. “He always wakes up first.” “I don’t know,” said Molly. “Maybe he is still sleeping.” “Let’s go wake him up. It is time for my birthday breakfast,” said Livie. “I smell pumpkin muffins,” said Molly. The girls jumped off the bed. They ran down the hall. Livie stopped when they got to Bucky’s room. Molly stopped too. Livie put her finger to her lips. “Shhhh. I think Bucky might try to prank us,” she said. It was very quiet in Bucky’s room. Livie peeked around the corner. Molly peeked in. Bucky was asleep. The covers were over his head. The girls tiptoed in. They began to shake him. “SURPRISE!” yelled Bucky. He jumped out from behind the bed. He threw colorful confetti into the air.

“Happy Double-Digit Birthday!” he shouted. “Yikes!” screamed Livie. “You pranked us,” yelled Molly. Livie fell onto the bed. She landed in a pile of pillows. “Gotcha!” Bucky shouted. “Good one little brother,” Livie said.

The Bouncing Surprise Livie, Molly, and Bucky went downstairs to the kitchen. “Happy Double-Digit Birthday!” said her mother and father. “I can’t believe it!” said Mother. “You are 10!” “Do you feel older?” asked Father. “Yep. Sure do!” Livie said. Livie thought turning 10 was very important. Double digits just made her feel older. “This breakfast looks awesome,” said Bucky. “It is just what hard work needs,” said Father. “What does that mean?” asked Livie. “I have been very busy this morning,” said Father. “Doing what?” asked Livie. “You will have to wait and see,” he answered. “We have a special present for you,” Mother said. “Can I open it now?” asked Livie. “Pleeeeese.” “First we have to eat,” said Bucky. “I’m hungry.” “Okay,” said Livie. “But don’t play around. Eat fast.”

Everyone sat down and began to eat. Everyone except Livie. She picked at her food. “What’s wrong?” Mother asked. “Don’t you like your birthday breakfast?” “No, it’s great! I’m just stuffed,” Livie said. “Stuffed?” asked Mother. “You won’t believe it,” said Livie. “Molly made me a huge birthday treat while you were sleeping.” “I put potato chips, pickles, and strawberries on a plate. Then I added whip cream. I put chocolate and sprinkles on top,” Molly said. “I ate every bite,” Livie added. “I don’t think I would have eaten that,” said Father. Livie tried to be still while everyone ate. But that did not go very well. She tapped the table with her fingers. She kicked the chair legs with her feet. She even huffed and puffed a little. “Okay,” Livie said. “Everyone has finished. Can I please open my present now?” “I’m sorry,” Father said. “You can not open your present.” “But you said so,” Livie whined. “You said after we eat. Look! Everyone is finished.”

Then Father winked at her. “Stand up. Close your eyes. Give us your hands,” he said. “We will take you to your present.” “Wait!” shouted Molly. “Open the present from me and Bucky first. Cuz it’s perfect!” “Perfect for what?” asked Livie. “You will see,” Molly said. Bucky tossed Livie a small, squishy present. She tore off the wrapping paper. A pair of soft leggings rolled out. They were made in a leopard print. Livie didn’t know why they were perfect. She took them and ran off. She came back with the leggings on. “These are great! I love them,” Livie said. “Thank you.”

Then she twirled around in a circle. “Can you take me to my present now?” Livie asked. Livie squeezed her eyes shut. She put out her hands. Her mother and father led her out the back door. They took her to the middle of the yard. Bucky and Molly followed behind. “HAPPY DOUBLE-DIGIT BIRTHDAY!” they yelled. “Open your eyes,” shouted Bucky. Livie opened her eyes. Her mouth fell open. “This is just what I wanted,” she cried. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” In the middle of the yard was a trampoline. Livie ran to it. She pulled herself up. She unzipped the zipper. She threw off her shoes and climbed in. She began to jump. Up and down she went. “This is soooo awesome!” she yelled. “This is the best present ever!” “See,” said Molly. “The leggings are perfect. Because you leap like a leopard.” Livie leaped on her trampoline all day long. She was so tired at bedtime. Too tired to take off her leggings before she plopped into bed.

The First Launch During the night the wind began to blow. It blew harder and harder. It howled through the trees. Livie woke up. She picked up Lopsy and hugged him. She got out of bed. She went to the open window. Livie looked out. She saw trees bending in the wind. She saw leaves swirling in the air. She looked into the sky. She saw a half moon and fluffy clouds. Then Livie heard a soft voice. “Leapin’ Livie the time has come to launch your legs to help someone. A sneaky cat who wants to play Took a girl’s brush and ran away. Your leapin’ legs will help, I know, So leap, leap, leap, it’s time to go.” “Who is that talking?” Livie said to herself. She looked around. No one was there. “I must be dreaming,” she said. “This must be a dream. Right? Those words do not make any sense.”

Livie turned to hop back into bed. Suddenly her feet were lifted off the floor. She and Lopsy floated out the open window. They floated over the yard. Then the wind stopped. Livie fell from the air. “Yikes!” she yelled. Down she went to the trampoline. THUMP! She landed on her bottom. Then up she went. THUMP! She landed on her bottom again. Up she went. PLOP! Livie came to a stop. “What is happening?” she said. The voice spoke again. “Leapin’ Livie the time has come to launch your legs to help someone. A sneaky cat who wants to play Took a girl’s brush and ran away. Your leapin’ legs will help, I know, So leap, leap, leap, it’s time to go.”

Livie stood up. She held on to Lopsy’s paws. She started to bounce. With each bounce she got higher and higher. Up and down they went. Livie laughed. She forgot it was nighttime. The wind began to howl again. The leaves blew off the trees. They swirled all around her. Then Livie heard the voice. “LEAP LIVIE LEAP” So Livie leaped. Up into the air she went. The swirling leaves pulled her up, up, up. “Don’t worry, Lopsy,” she said to herself. I’m ten now. I will take care of you.” “Whoof, Whoof,” Lopsy barked. “What?” Livie said. “I must be hearing things. You can’t bark. You aren’t a real dog. You are a stuffed dog.” “Whoof, Whoof,” she heard again.

“Yikes!” Livie yelled. “My stuffed dog is really barking!” “Whoof. Whoof.” Lopsy barked. “PLEASE, stop yelling,” Lopsy said. “What? Now you are a talking dog!” she yelled. “Yes. I am a talking dog.” Lopsy answered. “This can’t be!” Livie said. “Dogs bark. People talk. Dogs bark. People talk,” she said over and over. Then the soft voice spoke again. “A sneaky cat who wants to play Took a girl’s brush and ran away If you work with Lopsy, you will find a way, To catch the cat and save the day.” “Did you hear that voice?” Livie asked. “Yes,” Lopsy said. “Who is it?” “I don’t know,” Livie said. “I don’t understand.” Suddenly the wind blew hard. They went flying across the sky. “Horty Snorty,” yelled Lopsy. “Yikes!” Livie shouted. “Hold on!”

Livie was stretched out straight like Superman. Lopsy was on her back. His long ears stretched out wide. They were like wings on an airplane. “We seem to be getting far away from home,” Livie said. “I’m not so sure about this,” Lopsy cried.

Wendy Wind Whoooosh! Livie and Lopsy went speeding across the sky. They passed over cornfields and wheat fields. They passed over lakes and forests. They passed over mountains and rivers. “I wonder where we are going,” said Livie. “What’s that up there?” Lopsy asked. He pointed to a white glow in the sky. “I don’t know,” Livie said. The wind blew them closer and closer. “That glow is kind of freaky,” said Lopsy. “Wow!” said Livie. “Don’t be scared. This is New York City. I see the Statue of Liberty out there.” “What’s that?” Lopsy asked. “It’s a statue of a lady. She is wearing a crown and holding up a torch. She stands for liberty,” Livie answered. “Li–ber–ty,” said Lopsy. “That’s a funny word.” “It kind of means being free,” said Livie. My teacher told me . . . .” “Not now!” yelled Lopsy. “Look out!”

But it was too late. Crash! They hit the crown on the statue’s head. They tumbled down the crown. They bounced down the statue’s forehead. They slid down the nose. Off into the air they went. They plopped to a stop on the tip of the statue’s chin. “Whoa!” they said together. Then Livie heard a little giggle. She looked all around. She did not see anyone. She heard the giggle again. She looked up. “Who are you? Where are you? What is so funny?” said Livie. “And where are we going?” added Lopsy. “Please don’t be mad,” said the voice. “My name is Wendy Wind. I move above all the earth. Sometimes I move fast and you can feel me on your face. I can blow your hair all over the place. Some days I bend the trees. And I can make the leaves dance.” The voice giggled again. “Some days I am very still and it seems like I am not there at all. Sometimes you can even see my face in the clouds.”

“I heard you howling when I was in my bed,” Livie said. “Yes,” giggled Wendy Wind. “Sometimes I am noisy. Today I looked down and saw trouble. Trouble across the ocean. I thought you could help.” “Across the ocean!” Lopsy cried. “I don’t like oceans, or lakes, or puddles. I don’t even like getting a pretend bath.” Wendy Wind giggled again. “Livie, was today your birthday?” asked Wendy Wind. “Yes,” she said. “Did you have birthday cake?” asked Wendy Wind. “Yes,” she said again. “Did you make a wish when you blew out the candles?” asked Wendy Wind. “Yes,” Livie answered. “I wished for adventure.” “Wait a minute,” Lopsy said looking up into the sky. “I didn’t wish for adventure. Can’t you just blow me back to Livie’s bed?” “I’m sorry, Lopsy. But I can’t do that right now,” said Wendy Wind. Lopsy groaned. He frowned and shook his head.

Then Wendy Wind began to howl. “Time to leap into adventure,” said Wendy Wind. “Come on, Lopsy. We can do this,” Livie said. “Adventure can be fun!” Livie held Lopsy tight. She squeezed her eyes shut. She bent her knees. She leaped off the statue’s chin. Up they went. Up into the darkness and away from the glowing lights.

Polka Dots Little by little the sky was getting brighter. The air was getting warmer. Slowly the sun peeked out. It was a new day. Livie and Lopsy were floating over the ocean. They saw colorful fish swimming here and there. They saw dolphins jumping in the waves. They saw hungry seagulls dive into the water to catch fish. “I think I see land,” Livie said. “Please be careful,” said Lopsy “Please don’t crash again.” Whoooosh! Livie and Lopsy flew fast over land. “Look! I see a river. I see bridges. Is that a palace over there?” Livie asked. “Do you know where we are?” asked Lopsy. “Yes! I think I do,” she cried. “We are in London.” All at once Wendy Wind stopped blowing. “Horty Snorty!” shouted Lopsy. “Yikes,” yelled Livie. “We are falling.” Down, down they went. Down, down, down. THUMP!

Livie landed on top of a big black car. Lopsy plopped on her shoulders. Then a girl jumped out of the black car. “Are you okay?” she asked. “You thumped on top of our limousine.” “I think so,” said Livie. “But Lopsy and I bumped our heads. Now I’m seeing polka dots. I thought you see stars when you bump your head.” “No silly,” said the girl. “That’s just me! I LOVE polka dots! I wear them all the time.” Livie looked the girl up and down. Her dress was filled with colorful polka dots. Her leggings had polka dots. Her headband had polka dots. Even her shoes had tiny polka dots. Livie took Lopsy off her shoulders. They slid down the car. They landed on the ground. “So who are you?” asked Lopsy. “What? Wait a minute!” said the polka dot girl. Then she looked at Livie with big eyes. “Did your dog just talk?” she asked. “Well, yeah. He did. But don’t ask me to explain it,” said Livie. “It’s a long story.” “So who are you?” asked Lopsy again.

“My name is Penny,’ said the girl. “Right now I am following Sir Sneakalot. He is my cat. He snuck off this morning with my brush. And I need it! I am about to chase him down.” “Sir Sneakalot?” Lopsy said. “What a funny name for a cat.” “But it fits him,” said Penny. “Because he sneaks around the palace and takes my things. Mostly when he doesn’t get attention.” “Wait a minute,” said Livie. “Do you live in the palace? Are you a princess?” “Yes. I am,” she said. “Today is my grandmother’s birthday. She is the Queen. I was painting a picture for her this morning. But I didn’t get to finish.” “Did Sir Sneakalot take your paint brush because you wouldn’t play with him?” Livie asked. “Yep. That’s right,” she said. “Sometimes my little sister does that,” Livie said. “Well, we are here to help you catch him.” “Oh no,” said Lopsy. “I am not in the mood to be chasing a cat.” “I thought dogs liked chasing cats,” said Penny.

“But I am a basset hound,” Lopsy said. “That means I have short legs and a big belly. So I can’t catch your cat.” Princess Penny laughed. “Come on, Lopsy. We can do it,” said Livie. “Yeah. This could be fun!” said Princess Penny. “I’m not so sure about that,” Lopsy moaned.

The Chase Livie took Princess Penny by the hand. Princess Penny took hold of Lopsy’s paw. “Here we go. Hold on tight,” Livie called. “Time to catch Sir Sneakalot.” Livie ran a few steps. Then she leaped. She flew just above the ground. Then she landed on her feet. She ran a few more steps and leaped again. This is great!” Livie shouted. “I feel like a real leopard." When Livie went up, Princess Penny went up. When Livie came down, Princess Penny came down. Lopsy flew up and down in the air. Princess Penny laughed. Lopsy howled. Sir Sneakalot leaped down the sidewalk. Livie leaped after him. Faster and faster she went. “We are getting close,” Livie yelled. “We will catch him. I know we will!” “Horty Snorty!” Lopsy screamed. He whipped through the air. Up and down. Up and down.

Suddenly Sir Sneakalot turned the corner. Then Livie turned the corner too. “Horty Snorty!” Lopsy screamed. “Look out!” But it was too late. Lopsy flew right into a flag hanging above a doorway. He got tangled in it. He crashed to the ground. Livie stopped leaping. “Oh no!” said Princess Penny. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to let go of you.” “Are you hurt?” asked Livie. “Ugh,” Lopsy moaned. “I’ll be okay . . . . I think.” “We almost had Sir Sneakalot,” said Livie. “But now he has gotten away.” “He is going back to the palace,” said Penny. “It’s that way.” Penny reached down and took Lopsy’s paw. “I’ll do better this time,” she said. “I won’t let of you. I promise!” “Here we go,” said Livie. They leaped down the street. They turned another corner. Then Livie looked up.

“Wow!” she shouted. “The palace is humongous! It’s the biggest building I’ve ever seen.” “Do you really live there?” asked Lopsy. “Yes,” said Princess Penny.

Suddenly there was a loud drum roll. Then they heard a trumpet blast. The sound of music and marching filled the air. “What’s going on?” Livie asked. “It’s the “changing of the guard,” said Princess Penny. “It happens every day at the palace. Do you see those men in uniform?” “Yes,” said Livie. “I love their red coats.” “Those men in uniform are called footmen,” said Princess Penny. “They guard the palace. When they go home different footmen come to take their place. That is why it is called the “changing of the guard”. Because they change places. “What is that on their head?” asked Lopsy. “It looks like a fluffy dog bed.” “It is a black bearskin hat,” laughed Princess Penny. Suddenly Sir Sneakalot ran in front of them. He took a giant leap! “WOW! Look at him go,” yelled Livie. Sir Sneakalot flew through the air. He landed right in one of the bearskin hats. The paintbrush was stuck in his tail.

“I have a plan to get the paintbrush,” Livie said. “Hold hands and hold on.” Livie began leaping. First slowly. Then faster and faster. Princess Penny and Lopsy whipped through the air. Up and down. Up and down. “Horty Snorty!” yelled Lopsy. “Look out for the guards,” screamed Princess Penny. Suddenly Livie took a GIANT leap. Up, up she went. Up over the guards. Up over Sir Sneakalot. “Now!” Livie yelled to Lopsy. “Reach down. Grab the paintbrush!” Lopsy was ready. As he flew over he reached down. He took the paintbrush from Sir Sneakalot’s tail. “You did it!” cried Livie. “You did it!” Suddenly Wendy Wind howled. Livie, Princess Penny and Lopsy began turning somersaults. With each turn they bounced from one bearskin hat to the next. “Horty Snorty!” they all yelled together. “This can’t end good,” screamed Lopsy. But he was wrong.

This time Livie landed on her feet. Princess Penny landed on her feet. Lopsy fell through the air. He plopped into Livie’s arms. “That was so much fun,” said Princess Penny. “Yes. It was fun!” said Livie. “FABulous fun! I think we are fabulous, fun friends!” “I think so too,” said Princess Penny. “We are FABBY friends,” said Livie. “That’s short for FABULOUS.” “I LOVE it!” cried Princess Penny. “Almost as much as polka dots!” Lopsy smiled in a dog sort of way. Then Livie thought she heard a little giggle. She looked up into the sky. She saw fluffy clouds. “Here is your paintbrush,” Lopsy said. “Thank you,” said Penny. “Time to go finish my painting. A painting filled with pink and purple polka dots!” Livie and Lopsy laughed. “Do you want to come with me?” asked Penny. “To see my painting.” “Sure,” said Livie. “That would be great!”

“Follow me,” said Princess Penny. “I know the way into the palace.” Penny led them around the corner. They went through the trees. Suddenly Wendy Wind began to blow. She blew harder and harder. Then she began to howl. “Something strange is happening,” said Lopsy. “Look at Penny’s dress.” “Horty Snorty!” Penny yelled. One by one the polka dots began to pop off. They were like balls dancing in the wind. The polka dots swirled around Livie and Lopsy. They lifted them off the ground. Up they went. “I think Wendy Wind is taking us home,” Livie said. “Sorry we can’t see your painting. Maybe another day.” “Make it beautiful,” Lopsy said. “Horty Snorty, I will!” the princess yelled. “Goodbye FABBY FRIEND,” said Livie. “This has been an awesome adventure!” “Goodbye,” called Princess Penny.

The next gust of wind sent Livie and Lopsy flying fast across the sky. “Horty Snorty,” they yelled. “Horty Snorty!”

Enjoy these Tongue Twisters Can you say them three times fast? Try it! Leapin’ Livie launches her leopard legs and lands on a limo in London. Pretty Princess Penny paints pictures with pink and purple polka dots.