One day, a little boy called Danny asked his dad if he could go to the park to play cricket.  Danny would play cricket all day if he could because cricket is his favourite sport.

 

“Yes, great idea Danny,” said dad switching off the television.  “We will walk to the park as walking is good exercise for us both.”  Dad filled their water bottles and off they went.

 

It was a lovely sunny day and Danny chatted away to his dad about school and his friends.  Danny is such a chatterbox!

 

“My best friend, Tom, is coming to my birthday party tomorrow,” said Danny with a big smile.

 

Danny and Tom are in the same class at school and on the same football team.  Their friendship is amazing and both boys always look out for each other.

 

As they arrived at the park Danny raced off onto the field with his cricket bat and ball.

 

“Not so fast,” said dad waving at Danny to get his attention.  Danny looked blankly at his dad.

 

“We need to do our warm ups first,” explained dad.  “You know warm ups are really important.”

        

“Forgetful Danny!” said Danny to himself while he ran back to his dad.  “I’m ready dad,” he said, putting his cricket bat and ball on the bench.

 

 “1 2 3 4 5 clap your hands and touch your toes”

6 7 8 9 10 turnaround and stretch your arms

Let’s jog on the spot

And be a robot

Now that we’re all done

It’s time to have some fun.”  

 

After doing their warm ups, Danny and his dad sat on the bench and drank some water.  “Ahhh this water is cooling me down,” said Danny.

        

“Hey Danny,” called a soft familiar voice. 

 

Danny looked up to see Jessica and her dad walking towards him.  Jessica is Danny’s neighbour and they are the best neighbours in the whole world!

 

 “Hi Jessica,” said Danny giving her a hug while both dads shook hands.

 

“How are you champ?” asked Jessica’s dad while softly patting Danny on his shoulder.

 

“I’m good thank you,” said Danny.  Danny loved it when Jessica’s dad called him champ as it made him feel like a champion!

 

“You got time for a game of cricket?” asked Danny’s dad.

 

“Yes we have,” said Jessica’s dad rolling up his sleeves and doing a few warm ups.

 

Jessica clapped her hands and did a little twirl before sitting on the bench. She always enjoys watching Danny play cricket.

 

“Keeping active is fun so let’s go,” instructed Danny as he ran onto the field with both dads running behind him.  He quickly got into position to bat as his dad bowled.  Danny hit the ball with all his mighty strength and the ball flew high into the air.

 

“Oh no,” said Jessica looking a teeny bit nervous as she could see her dad running to catch the ball.  She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and crossed her fingers behind her back.  “Please don’t catch the ball dad,” she murmured to herself.

 

She slowly opened one eye and sighed happily as her dad was too slow to catch the ball which landed on the grass.

 

“Go Danny boy!” she cheered softly and Danny looked over at her shyly.  Every time she called him Danny boy it made him smile and blush at the same time.

 

“Brilliant!” said Danny’s dad, looking proud.

 

Jessica’s dad saluted Danny and put both his thumbs up, “that’s my champ!” he said encouragingly.  Danny had the biggest smile on his face plus that champion feeling.

 

“Bowl again,” said Danny excitedly.  They played for some time until Jessica had to leave for her dance class.

 

“See you tomorrow at my birthday party Jessica,” said Danny waving. 

 

“Yes, see you tomorrow Danny,” said Jessica with a soft smile.  “I’ve got you the perfect birthday present,” she said running off to her dad.

 

“Thanks for a great time today dad,” said Danny as they arrived home.

 

“You’re welcome son,” said dad, “playing a sport is really good exercise and makes your bones stronger.  You have definitely shown me what a strong boy you are becoming,” said dad passing Danny a towel.  “Time for a shower now Mr Strong Bones!” laughed dad.

 

As Danny went in the shower, his mom and dad had a little chuckle as they could hear him from the kitchen signing happy birthday to himself.

 

After his shower and dressed in his pajamas, Danny watched television with his parents.  He loved snuggling up on the sofa with his parents who would take it in turn to tickle him.

 

After dinner Danny said he was ready for bed.  He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth for about 3 minutes just like the dentist had asked him to.

 

“Good night dad,” said Danny giving him a high five after having brushed his teeth.  “See you on my birthday!” he giggled before running off upstairs.

 

Mom tucked Danny into bed and said, “sleep well and we will have a lovely time celebrating your birthday tomorrow.”

        

“But I’m too excited to sleep” said Danny.

 

 

Mom smiled and started reading his bedtime story.  Before she could finish Danny was fast asleep.  Mom kissed his cheek and quietly left his bedroom.

 

The following morning Danny burst into his parents bedroom, “Happy Birthday to me!” he sang as he jumped onto the bed.  Mom and dad hugged and kissed him while singing happy birthday to the birthday boy.

 

“Time to get ready for my birthday party,” said Danny as he jumped off the bed and ran back to his bedroom.

 

At 12 o’clock Danny’s friends started arriving for his birthday party.  Tom was the first, followed by Tilly and Zara who had bought such big birthday presents.

 

Jessica and Arjun arrived shortly after Tom, Tilly and Zara.  Danny was so excited to see all his presents and said, “how exciting!” as he secretly had a little feel of each present.

 

The children played lots of games including pass the parcel, musical statues and hide and seek.  There was also a surprise disco party which was so much fun!

 

Danny’s parents had prepared a lovely birthday feast with so much party food just waiting to be eaten.  There were sandwiches, chocolate muffins, crisps, biscuits, sweets, chocolates, grapes, strawberries and juice.  The feast was fit for a king and queen.

 

The children gathered around the table after washing their hands and enjoyed the yummy birthday feast.

 

Soon it was time for Danny to cut his cake and all his friends sang happy birthday in their loudest singing voices.

 

“Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to Danny

Happy birthday to you.”

 

Then Tom shouted, “hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray!” Everybody cheered and clapped.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DANNY

 

 

“Don’t forget to make a wish,” mom reminded Danny just before he blew out his candles.  Danny closed his eyes for a few seconds, made his wish and then took a deep breath.  “1 2 3, let’s go,” he said blowing out his birthday candles.