Sara Hernandez

                                    My Birthday

         

          The doorbell rang. Carolina was so excited as her friends started to arrive for her birthday party. She invited her friends from school, Sara, Rebeca and Vanessa. She also invited Carmen, her next door neighbor.

         At the party Carolina and her friends played a few games. Her big sister, Jennifer, helped. Then we  had cake and ice cream. " Yum!" Carolina thought it was perfect.

         Finally Carolina's mom announced that it was time to open the presents. Carolina's friends gathered around  her on the floor and Carolina began to slowly open the first present. It was a big brown teddy bear. She loved it. She set it aside and started to open the next gift when her Mom said " Carolina, did you forget something?

       " No," Carolina quickly answered. " I want to open another present now. OK?" Carolina's mom smiled and patiently said, " Carolina, we must always say 'Thank You' when we receive a gift. Did you tell Rebeca 'Thank You?' "

                 "Oops, sorry Rebeca. I forgot. Thank you for the teddy bear. I really, really like it a lot Carolina said. The next three presents were very special too. There was a barbie, a coloring book and a monopoly game. After each gift she looked at the person whose gift she opened and said "Thank You."

                 That night Carolina was very sleepy, and as Carolina mom and dad were tucking her into bed, they said, "I hope you had a good birthday." " I did." Carolina answerd. "It was so cool. Thanks for letting me have my friends come to my party."

                "You're welcome. Now are you ready to get to sleep?" Mom and Dad asked. " One more thing," Carolina whispered. " Thank you, God, for my friends, my party and especially for my Mom and Dad."