With all our birthday celebrations last weekend, my plan to work on my story for author Susanna Leonard Hill’s contest didn’t work out.
Instead, we visited the zoo twice, ate out and had sweet treats. Tons of family fun. My entry is very drafty, draft, but I promise you won’t be disappointed by the other entries. Please visit this talented group of writers for birthday fun.
Dan’s Birthday Plan
Dan had to stop Christmas. It was the only way his birthday would be normal. Every year, he celebrated Christmas one day and on the next his birthday.
As Mom announced time for dinner, Dan jumped in.
“We can’t have Christmas. If we do, my birthday will be ruined.”
Dan knew the reason for the season, but his Christmas and birthday presents always had a part missing.
“Christmas always splits my birthday,” Dan said.
“It doesn’t,” Mom said. “That’s your special day. This is another one.”
“Why did I get arrows on Christmas Day and a bow on my birthday?” Dan asked.
“They were two separate gifts,” his sister Sue said.
“One year, I got multi-colored pencils for Christmas. I had nothing to write on until paper arrived on my birthday,” Dan said.
“You had to sharpen the pencils,” cousin Bobby said reaching for a roll.
“The leather baseball glove,” Dan said.
“What was wrong with that?” Dad asked.
“I couldn’t play catch until my birthday. That’s when you gave me a baseball.”
Grandma put her arms around Dan.
“We don’t need to cancel Christmas or your birthday. We’ll celebrate both with no missing parts — right Mom and Dad?”
His parents agreed and they all sat down to eat.
During the gift exchange, Dan tore the Christmas paper and opened the box to find one tennis shoes.
“Oops,” Mom said. She left and returned with a birthday package. Dan opened the box. He beamed holding the shoes. “A pair of shoes for Christmas!“
“Everything worked out,” Grandma said. “Now are you ready for your birthday?”
“Yes,” Dan said and noticed a jar of jelly in his stocking. “Who knows what I’ll get for my birthday.”
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| With one shoe, you might look like this. |
When Susanna tossed out this contest, I asked some Facebook friends for birthday disasters. My fifth grade teacher Mr. Worley mentioned how his birthday falls on the day after Christmas and how his presents — bows, arrows and yes even shoes were split. I need to amp up the funny, but I thank Mr. Worley for the idea!
Susanna Leonard Hill
This is terrific, Stacy – a very creative idea and well done! Thank you for joining in the fun even with everything else you have going on this week!
Stacy S. Jensen
Thanks Susanna! It’s not funny enough now, but it’s a beginning. Who wants to miss all this birthday fun!
Vivian Kirkfield
What a funny story, Stacy…and oh, so true! Our younger son’s birthday is December 17…and we worked really hard to make sure that his B-day party was not connected to Christmas and that he had separate presents for each occasion and didn’t suffer getting LESS…but I can’t say that relatives followed that route…he received many combination Birthday/Christmas presents over the years from them. 🙁
I love your story…glad that grandma was sensitive to his unhappiness and she encourage mom and dad to recognize the problem.
Stacy S. Jensen
Vivian, I have two nieces with December birthdays. I sometimes send one a card at the end of November to MAKE SURE I don’t slip up and forget.
iza
That is hardly a drafty draft. You did a great job!
Stacy S. Jensen
Thanks Iza.
Debbie Maxwell Allen
I wish my drafts turned out this well!
~Debbie
Stacy S. Jensen
You are too kind Debbie.
Julie Hedlund
It is a clever idea and it’s a predicament many children find themselves in. Great job!
Stacy S. Jensen
Julie, Yes. I think many kids would call it a predicament.
Laura Renauld
It never occurred to me that split birthday gifts could be the biggest problem with having a birthday close to Christmas! I love how you played with this idea in the story. Very fun!
Stacy S. Jensen
Laura, it never occurred to me either until Mr. Worley told me about his true experiences.
Penny Klostermann
Really great story! My son’s birthday is December 13th…I didn’t mean to do it to him 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Penny, I have a twin sister, so we always shared our birthday. So, one might consider it like a December birthday. We enjoyed it and had fun celebrations.
Susan Oloier
Love this! You have such a gift for storytelling, Stacy. I know I’m repeating myself, but it’s true.
I have a kiddo with a birthday three days before Christmas. Though I don’t divide his gifts. Seriously, I don’t 🙂
Stacy S. Jensen
Susan, Thanks. And, so glad you don’t divide his gifts.
Lori Degman
I love that this is based on true events – it was really cute! My kids have summer birthdays so they get a nice break between celebrations!
Stacy S. Jensen
Lori, Yes. Summer birthdays add a little more fun to summer break.
Tina Cho
Very funny & cute!
Stacy S. Jensen
Thanks Tina.
catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com
Stacy that is fab and would make a really fun pb!
Stacy S. Jensen
Catherine, I really need to amp up the fun.
tracycampbellwriter
Hi Stacy:
For just popping that off the top of your head, I tip my hat to you.
My daughter’s birthday is on the 17th of December and I made a point of always celebrating her special day, and with two shoes, LOL.
Thanks for commenting on my poem, much appreciated.
tracycampbellwriter
P.S. My hubby’s name is Dan. He’ll like that.
P.P.S. Thanks for signing up on my blog.
I look forward to following you around as well. I may never get any work done, though.
Stacy S. Jensen
Tracy, Glad you celebrate with two shoes. And, thanks for following me around.
Cathy Mealey
I can’t wait to find out what will come after he discovers the jelly!
I wish my drafts came out this well Stacy!
Hope Mr. Worley has a better birthday this year!
Stacy S. Jensen
Thanks Cathy. Yes. I imagine Mom and Dad haven’t learned their lesson.
Susan Oloier
Stacy,
I just passed along the Kreativ Blogger Award to you. Do what you wish with it, or do nothing at all 🙂 I just like your blog a lot.
Stacy S. Jensen
Susan, Thanks. I’ll mentione you in my Thursday post as I like your blog a lot too.
Renee LaTulippe
What’s up with the jelly? You left me hanging! 🙂 Fun story, Stacy!
Stacy S. Jensen
Renee, I’m wondering if the parents really learned. Perhaps, Dan will receive a jar of peanut butter on his birthday. 🙂
Joanna
This is funny and so real too, for anyone that has their birthday near to Christmas! Great job, Stacy!
Romelle Broas
Fun story, Stacy. And you call this a drafty draft? Love how you ended the story. Leaves room for discussion and imagination for the readers. It’ll be fun for them to figure out what his next present will be. Good job!
This Kid Reviews Books
I have my birthday on a some-what Holiday – Christmas Eve! I can relate to Dan – but I don’t get one present and then another that goes with it the next day. Great story! 😉
Hannah
Love it! I’m also in the December birthday group (along with three other members of my family).
sabrina Suykens
Stacey, the beginning really got me!! Good one!! Also the ending made me curious to either read more or to read it again with someone else to discuss what it could be 🙂