“And just like that, the hero saves the day!” Angela
finished her story and smiled. Angela, Gabriel and
Dad were cuddled up on the bed with the cover pulled
over their heads. They were taking turns telling each other
stories. “Okay Dad, your turn,” said Gabriel as he
passed him the flashlight.

“Alright, I’ll tell you some stories starring the bravest boy
and girl I know,” Dad said. “I can’t wait to wake up every day
to see what they’ll do next, and they’re my last thought
before I fall asleep at night.

“The best dreams I have are always about them too! And
whenever we aren’t together, I’m thinking about how proud I
am of who they’ve become and all the incredible things they do.

“They’re the smartest, kindest kids I know and getting to
spend time with them is enough to make me the happiest dad
in the world.”

“Hey, you’re our dad!” said Gabriel. “Are these stories
about us?”

“I guess you’ll just have to sit tight and listen to find out…”

T

    he kids had a bad case of the boredom blues.
   “Beep beep!” Angela pushed past her brother.
“Hey, watch it!” screamed Gabriel, barely dodging out of the way. He
chased her brother into the bedroom where they jumped on the bed. Bounce,
bounce!
“Hey Gabriel, you jump like a frog! Ribbit ribbit!” Angela laughed.
“Yea, well you bounce like a bunny rabbit!” Gabriel joked back. “Well,
then you’re a kangaroo!”
“You’re a … umm, grasshopper!” Then, Angela got an idea.
 “Hey, let’s ask Dad if we can go the playground and jump around there!”

Not long after, they were at the playground. “Slide!”
    Angela called out and ran straight for the ladder.
       She climbed to the top – whoosh! – and back around for
         ride number two. Gabriel came too, and when
           he stumbled a bit, Angela gave him her hand
              and helped him to the top. “Thanks, Angela!
                See you at the bottom,” Gabriel said.
                  Whoosh!

“Hey, let’s see who can go higher on the swings!”
 Gabriel called out next. They both ran toward the
swings. As Gabriel tried to sit on his, another kid
ran in and snatched the swing from his hands.
“Hey,” said Angela, “we were here first. Wait
your turn!” Gabriel smiled at his big sister and
thought, “She’s so brave!” They climbed on the swings
and pump, kick, pump, kick! They swung faster and
faster until they were so high up, they could almost
touch the sky! Then they jumped off and landed in
the grass. “Well, I guess we can call it a tie
today,” laughed Angela.

On the walk home, Gabriel asked,
“Hey, do grasshoppers help their little brothers?”
“Hmm, I don’t think so,” she answered. “Then
you’re not a grasshopper,” Gabriel said.
Angela looked at her little brother
and smiled. Gabriel smiled back
and added, “Yup, you’re definitely a frog.”
“Hey!” said Angela, laughing.