Hello,
My name is Jacqueline and I'm a very proud grandma.
I write stories for my grandchildren and I'm very happy to share them here with you too.
So if you're ready,
Make yourself comfortable,
Settle back because the story is about to begin.
The Birthday Adventure I've got tummy ache,
Mum,
Beckett mumbled as he rubbed his tummy,
Trying to make the pain go away.
I think you ate one too many sausages for dinner,
Replied his mum,
Putting her arm comfortingly around her son.
I hope it doesn't give you strange dreams tonight,
Especially as it's your birthday tomorrow.
We have a busy day planned,
So you need to have a good night's sleep.
Oh,
That sounds exciting,
Exclaimed Beckett,
Forgetting about his tummy ache for a moment.
What are we going to do?
Well,
That's a surprise Dad has for you,
But I know you're going to enjoy it,
She said,
Ruffling his hair.
Now why don't you take a nice bath before bed and then I'll read you a story.
Beckett enjoyed a warm bubble bath,
All thoughts of his tummy ache long gone as he played with his bath toys.
His favourite game was to pretend there were pirates on board his plastic boats.
He created tunnels in the bubbles for the boats to go through and then he would sink them with rubber balls as they floated out the other side.
Soon Beckett was snuggled in his bed and hugged his favourite blanket while his mum read him a story.
He loved story time but hardly ever heard the end of a story as he fell asleep in no time at all,
Feeling relaxed and happy.
Tonight was no different and a few pages in,
Beckett was sound asleep.
Beckett,
Wake up,
It's your birthday!
Startled,
Beckett woke up and saw his cousins Waverley and Drew standing by his bed.
Come on,
They said,
Trying to contain their excitement.
We have a fun day ahead of us for your birthday.
Get dressed quickly,
It's nearly time to go.
Go where?
Asked Beckett as he threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.
It's a surprise,
Said Waverley.
Your mum invited us over to spend the day with you and is making breakfast downstairs.
Get dressed as fast as you can.
Beckett quickly put on his clothes and the three of them ran downstairs and into the kitchen where Dad was sitting at the table.
The cousins joined him just as Mum placed eggs,
Sausage and pancakes before them.
They all ate their fill and then they piled into Dad's car,
Excited to start Beckett's birthday adventure.
Where are we going,
Dad?
Asked Beckett,
Looking out of the car window as they headed off.
Wait and see,
Son,
Replied Dad,
It's not too far away.
Before long,
Dad stopped beside a large farm gate.
Mum got out of the car and opened it wide so Dad could drive the car through.
With the gate safely shut behind them and Mum back in the car,
Dad drove across the field and parked a short way from a large grass mound.
There wasn't really anything to see in the field except for the grass mound and that was far too high for them to see over it.
They all got out of the car and Beckett asked,
What are we doing here,
Dad?
It doesn't look much fun.
Oh,
It will be,
Dad replied.
It's something you've always wanted to do.
Just wait.
The cousins jumped up and down with excitement.
We can't wait,
They squealed together when suddenly a big noise made them turn around.
Coming over the grass mound was the biggest monster truck Beckett had ever seen and it was heading straight towards them.
Wow!
Exclaimed Beckett,
That's awesome!
The monster truck stopped in front of them and a very friendly man shouted from the driver's seat.
Hello everyone,
My name's Steve and I've come especially to give the birthday boy a ride in my monster truck.
Yay!
Shouted Beckett,
Clapping his hands with glee.
He was about to walk up to the truck when he thought of something.
Steve,
He asked,
Can my cousins come with us,
Please?
Yes,
Of course they can,
Steve replied.
There's plenty of room for the three of you.
Climb on board and let's have some fun.
Beckett had never seen a real monster truck before.
He had only ever played with his toy ones,
But had often talked to his dad about seeing one and now he was going to ride in one.
As Beckett got up close to the truck,
He was blown away by how huge it was.
It made him feel so tiny as it towered above him.
It even towered over his dad,
Who was the tallest person Beckett knew.
This monster truck was painted dark blue with large red and yellow flames drawn across the sides and over the bonnet,
Which indicated to Beckett how fast and furious this machine was.
The giant oversized wheels had red interiors and even they were much taller than Beckett.
The three cousins climbed on board and strapped themselves in.
Steve started up the engine,
Which roared to life.
Are you ready for a fun and crazy ride?
He shouted over the noise.
Yes,
Shouted the cousins with excitement.
Then let's go and Steve turned the monster truck around and drove up and over the grass mound.
For a moment,
Waverly thought they would tip over because the mound was so high and it felt like they were going straight up in the air.
But the truck's giant wheels stayed firmly on the ground and they went up and over with ease.
Coming down the other side,
An amazing sight welcomed them.
A monster truck dirt track stretched out before them.
Wow!
They shouted together.
This is amazing!
Exclaimed Drew.
I can't wait to begin,
Said Beckett.
Hold on tight,
Announced Steve.
We're about to begin the ride of your life.
Steve drove the monster truck around the dirt track.
The mighty truck flew off ramps as it jumped high into the air.
It performed wheelies travelling along on its back wheels,
With the cousins screaming at the top of their voices in a mixture of fear and enjoyment.
Then for the finale,
Steve set the monster truck into a spin by creating the famous doughnut spin one after the other.
Soon the fun was over and Steve drove them one last time up and over the big grass mound and back to their car.
That was the best time ever,
Said Beckett as they climbed out of the monster truck.
Thank you so much,
Steve,
The cousins shouted together.
It was my pleasure,
Steve said in reply.
You were all superb passengers.
Thanks so much for giving Beckett a great birthday ride,
Said Dad.
I'm going to have to build the ramps for his trucks at home a lot higher now.
No Dad,
Said Beckett.
I want my own giant monster truck to ride in.
Dad laughed and said,
Well,
You'll have to get a job and start saving up for that son.
Said Waverly and Drew giggled at the thought of this.
Come on guys,
Mum said.
Sorry we have to run,
Steve,
But we have one more surprise for Beckett's birthday and we have to get going or we'll be late.
That's no problem,
Said Steve.
It's time I went home anyway.
Enjoy the rest of your birthday,
Beckett.
It was lovely to meet you and to be part of it.
They said their goodbyes and departed.
Steve drove back over the grass mound and Dad drove out through the gate Mum had opened for him.
That was amazing,
Said Beckett.
Yes it was,
Agreed Waverly and Drew.
What did you like the best?
Asked Dad and they started to share their enjoyment of the ride as Dad drove off.
They were all so engrossed in their conversation that the cousins didn't notice they had arrived at the next surprise until Dad had stopped the car and turned off the engine.
We're here,
Announced Dad.
The children looked out of the car windows and shouted in delight,
We're at the ballpark.
Yes,
Replied Mum.
Let's get going.
The baseball game is about to begin.
As they went through the turnstile and into the stadium,
Beckett announced he was hungry.
Would you like a hot dog?
Asked Mum,
Looking round at them all.
Yes please,
Came the unified answer.
And can we have popcorn at half time?
Asked Beckett.
As it's your birthday,
You can also have ice cream,
Said Dad,
Smiling at the beaming faces in front of him.
They made their way through the crowds to the hot dog stand and waited in line for their turn.
Hello,
Guys and girls,
Said a smiley lady behind the counter.
My name's Jane.
What can I get you?
Hi Jane,
Said Beckett.
It's my birthday today and these are my cousins,
Waverly and Drew.
And you must be Mum and Dad,
Jane said,
Smiling over at Beckett's parents,
Who nodded back in reply.
Well,
Happy birthday,
Beckett,
Said Jane.
Is it going to be foot long hot dogs for everyone?
Yes,
They shouted together.
Jane prepared the order,
Then handed the mouth-watering hot dogs out to the hungry bunch and said,
Enjoy the game,
As they headed off to find their seats and enjoy their food.
The game began and it was very exciting with lots of runs made by both teams and Beckett nearly caught one of the balls as it flew up and into the crowd.
At half-time,
Dad said to his son,
Come with me,
Beckett,
It's time for another treat.
Beckett jumped up in excitement and asked,
Are we going to buy ice cream for everyone,
Dad?
Maybe,
Replied Dad.
See you shortly,
He said to the others as he told Beckett to follow him.
Waverly and Drew chatted happily to Beckett's Mum when all of a sudden they heard the announcer say,
We have someone very special on the pitch today.
Let's give a big welcome to Beckett.
And on the big screen appeared their cousin waving to the crowd.
The crowd cheered loudly,
It's Beckett's birthday today,
Continued the announcer.
Let's sing Happy Birthday to him.
And the singing began with the camera panning the crowd until Waverly and Drew's happy faces appeared on the big screen.
They jumped up and down,
Clapping and waving,
Delighted to see themselves.
Now,
Said the announcer as the singing came to an end,
As a special birthday treat,
We invite Beckett to start the second half of this game by hitting the first ball.
Team,
Let's get ready.
The crowd roared as Beckett was handed a bat and took his position on the diamond.
The crowd fell silent as the bowler got ready to pitch the ball.
Holding his breath,
Beckett kept his eye on the ball as it was bowled towards him.
Whack!
Beckett hit the ball with all his might and it soared out towards the crowd.
The ball showed no sign of slowing down as it flew further out and over the people's heads in the first few rows.
It's coming my way,
Shouted Drew,
Holding his hands in the air.
Years later,
The ball landed cleanly in his cupped hands as the crowd roared.
Beckett had made a home run.
The team lifted him high in the air and ran around the pitch with him in celebration to the cheer of the crowd.
Beckett was so happy.
This felt like a dream come true.
After the game,
Dad drove Waverly and Drew back to their parents' house and then continued home.
Beckett yawned as he stepped indoors and his mum suggested he went upstairs for a nap.
You've had such a busy day,
Sweetheart,
She said.
You'll feel much better after a nap.
Go and snuggle into bed and I'll wake you up in an hour.
Okay,
Mum,
Beckett agreed as he made his way up the stairs to his bedroom.
That was the best birthday I've ever had,
He whispered to himself as he fell into bed and went straight to sleep.
Beckett,
Wake up!
It's your birthday!
Startled,
Beckett woke up and saw his mum standing by his bed.
Come on,
She said,
Trying to contain her excitement.
We have a fun day ahead of us for your birthday.
Get dressed quickly,
It's nearly time to go.
Go where?
Asked Beckett as he threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.
It's a surprise,
Said Mum.
Waverly and Drew will be here in a minute.
They're coming to spend the day with you.
Breakfast is nearly ready,
So get dressed as fast as you can.
Beckett quickly put on his clothes and said,
I had the strangest dream last night,
Mum.
Well come downstairs and tell us all about it over breakfast.
We are having eggs,
Sausage and pancakes and then Dad has a special day planned for you.
Is it to do with a monster truck and baseball?
Beckett asked as he thought about his fun dream.
It might be,
Said his mum smiling,
You'll have to wait and see.
And the two of them went downstairs where Dad was sitting at the table,
Ready to get the day started.
I hope you enjoyed listening to my story.
Before you go,
I'd like to ask you a question.
What fun adventure would you like to have for your special birthday treat?
Thanks for listening and come back soon to hear another story from Grandma.
Bye for now.
