It's Saturday morning and Tilly had just finished her breakfast.  She had a bowl of cereal with lots of milk as she knows milk has calcium in which is very good for her bones and teeth.
  

 "Are we ready to leave?" asked Tilly's dad.

 

"I'm ready dad," replied Tilly taking her cereal bowl and glass of water to the kitchen.

 

"Me too," answered Tilly's mom quickly washing the cereal bowl and glass. "I'm looking forward to seeing my sister, Mike and Samuel today."

Tilly went to wash her hands while her parents put their bags and Samuel's birthday presents in the car. 

 

Tilly remembered to count to 20 while washing her hands to make sure any germs were washed away.

 

It was Samuel's birthday a couple of days ago but as he lives far away, Tilly's mom had arranged to go and visit them at the weekend and have a sleepover.

 

“Safety first,” said Tilly’s dad as they got into the car and put on their seatbelts.

 

 

It was a long drive to Samuel's house so Tilly played I spy with my little eye with her parents. It was Tilly’s favourite game to play in the car when going on long journeys.

 

Arriving at Samuel's house, Tilly looked through the window and could see Samuel.  She did her little wriggle and knocked on the door.

 

“Calm down Tilly,” said mom smiling, “you do remember we need to stay calm around Samuel?” 

 

Samuel’s mom opened the door, “hello Tilly,” she said with her usual warm smile.

 

“Hello Aunt Jenny,” said Tilly hugging her and running into the lounge to meet Samuel.  "Happy birthday Samuel," she said hugging him.

 

Aunt Jenny hugged Tilly’s mom and dad as they entered the lounge and sat down comfortably.

 

Samuel said "Tilly, Tilly, Tilly," and started waving his arms.

 

Tilly also waved her arms like Samuel and was comfortable with Samuel's behaviour as she knows he is autistic and that he behaves differently to other children.

 

"How was your drive here?" asked Jenny.

 

"It was good," replied Tilly, "we played I spy with my little eye and mom and dad didn't guess any right."

 

"Well you were picking things that we couldn't see Tilly," said mom smiling at her.  "Tilly was picking stars, bears, and so many other things."

 

"You made it very challenging for your parents then Tilly!" said Aunt Jenny laughing.

"Bearrr, bearrr, bearrr," said Samuel clapping his hands slowly.  Tilly tried walking like a bear and moving her arms about and Samuel also tried to copy Tilly.

 

"I'll put the kettle on and then I'll get Samuel's birthday presents from the car," said Tilly's dad.

"Thank you," said Aunt Jenny smiling at Tilly’s dad. She always appreciates Tilly’s dad helping out when he visits.

 

Aunt Jenny told Tilly and her mom about Samuel starting at a new school which looks after children with additional needs. 

 

She looked really happy when she said Samuel had his school photo taken, pointing to the fireplace where the photo was placed.

"This is wonderful news," said Tilly's mom putting her thumbs up to Samuel after looking over at his school photo.  Samuel tried copying to put his thumbs up but being autistic he has delayed movement.

 

Tilly walked over to the fireplace and looked at Samuel's photo.

 

Tilly then looked over at Samuel and jumped up and down clapping her hands.

 

She knows how difficult it is for Samuel to have his photo taken as the camera's bright light can make him feel uncomfortable.

 

Just then Tilly's dad bought the drinks in and put the tray carefully to one side where Samuel wouldn't accidentally bump into it.

 

"Right then young man, it's time for your birthday presents," said Tilly’s dad as he collected them from the hallway and put them next to Samuel.

 

“Birthhhhddday,” said Samuel looking over at his mom.

 

Aunt Jenny helped Samuel unwrap his presents, the first present was a teddy bear which made him very happy and he cuddled it tightly.

 

Samuel also opened the other 2 presents which were sensory toys.  Tilly's mom had chosen the sensory toys with great care as she wanted the toys to help Samuel keep calm and stimulate his senses.

 

"Thannnk yyyou," said Samuel slowly and hesitantly as he has trouble communicating verbally.

Tilly's mom walked over to Samuel and gave him a hug and kissed his cheek.  Samuel looked at Tilly's mom and then lay on the sofa holding his mom's hand and fell asleep.

 

Tilly’s mom smiled at Samuel and said how proud she is of him.

 

A few moments later, Aunt Jenny gently let go of Samuel's hand and asked, "who would like some birthday cake?" as she got up to go to the kitchen.

 

"Me!" squealed Tilly.  “Can I help?” asked Tilly doing her wriggle.  She knew Aunt Jenny will have bought chocolate birthday cake for Samuel as it's his favourite.

 

“Yes, of course you can Tilly,” said Aunt Jenny smiling as she knows chocolate cake is Tilly’s favourite too.

 

Tilly followed Aunt Jenny into the kitchen and helped carry the plates into the lounge.

 

They all ate yummy chocolate cake and whispered to each other as they didn’t want to disturb or wake Samuel.

 

A few minutes later Samuel's dad arrived from work.

"Uncle Mike," whispered Tilly jumping off her chair and hugging him. 

 

Uncle Mike is Tilly's favourite uncle as he tells her lots of funny jokes and plays tennis with her.

 

"Well, aren't you getting tall Tilly?" said Uncle Mike, hugging Tilly.  "How are you all?" 

 

They all chatted for some time and Uncle Mike told a few funny jokes which Tilly tried to remember so she could tell her friends.

"Is it time for some tennis Tilly?" asked Uncle Mike after finishing his tea.  He pulled out two tennis rackets and a couple of tennis balls from the cupboard.

"Oh yes Uncle Mike," said Tilly, taking a racket from him, doing her wriggle and then running off to the garden.

 

"Slow down Tilly, the tennis champion," he called running after her.

 

Tilly was too fast for Uncle Mike to catch up with her.

In the garden Tilly reminded Uncle Mike it was time for warm ups first so they both started their warm ups.

 

“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 their warms up, Tilly and Uncle Mike played tennis.  Uncle Mike was very good at tennis and had taught Tilly a few tricks. "Practice makes perfect," he said.

 

Tilly and Uncle Mike played tennis for quite some time.  Samuel, Aunt Jenny and Tilly’s parents came out into the garden and sat at the garden table watching them play.

 

Samuel sat next to his mom and held her hand while watching his dad and Tilly play.

 

“Is it time for a break?” asked Aunt Jenny.

 

“Not yet Aunt Jenny,” said Tilly excitedly running to bat the ball back to Uncle Mike who missed it.

 

“Tilly, my brilliant tennis champion!” said Uncle Mike giving her a high five.

 

“Thanks Uncle Mike,” said Tilly feeling like a champion!