The Purple Princess

Sophie sat in the chair of honour, her eyes big and round as she stared at the huge pile of presents. A camera flashed as we sang 'Happy Birthday.' Then Gemma-Rose reached for a present, the biggest in the pile. Sophie tore the wrapping paper off, eager to find out what it was.

"A purple blanket," she cried. "My favourite colour!" She spread it over her lap at once. Other presents soon formed a pile at her feet: A new purple watch, a couple of movies, a sewing book. Every present was met with cries of joy.

Callum brought out the very last present from where it had been hiding behind a chair. It was flat and rectangular. She peeled the sticky tape off, and slid the present out from between the layers of wrapping paper.

"Tangled," she cried in excitement. "I've just been wanting that." We all smiled. Tangled is our favourite movie.
"I know what we're going to watch today," someone said.

"Put the kettle on," Mum said. "Let's have morning tea. Then we'll watch Tangled."

Everyone raced to the kitchen. Soon we were all sitting in the family room, huddle under blankets with our hands wrapped round hot drinks. I pressed PLAY. The movie was about to start.

Everyone enjoyed Tangled, even Mum, who's not really a movie person. All too soon it was over.
"We'll have to watch that again very soon," Charlotte said, a huge smile covering her face.

After lunch, Mum took the three younger girls to the shops to spend Sophie's birthday money. They had a great time choosing what she was going to buy. There were so many things Sophie could have bought, but finally she decided to get a cushion to match her fuzzy purple blanket.

Then, after shopping, it was time for afternoon tea. Donuts and milkshake, or hot chocolate if you were sensible. Then, off home again to make a special birthday dinner.

We all enjoyed dinner. Sophie told Dad all about the birthday he had missed. Then came the time for the main event: The birthday cake.

I covered the cake in candles, ten of them in all.
"Do you think you'll be able to blow them all out this year?" Mum asked Sophie.
"I don't think so," she laughs. "I never can."

The candles were lit. Sophie eyes glowed with happiness. After we sang Happy Birthday again, she attempted to blow out the candles. One blow, then another, then a third. finally the candles were out. As slices of cake were handed round, Mum asked.
"Has it been a good birthday?"
"Yes!" Sophie replied