Surprise Sleepovers & Overstuffed Suitcases

“It’s not fair,” Emily whined. “Jeremy always gets to go to Patrick’s house for a sleepover, and I never have sleepovers!” Emily flopped dejectedly into a chair.

“Well, dear,” said Mom, “you could invite a friend over. But you’ll have to make sure she gets a good dinner and a comfy bed.”

“I can?!” Emily squealed in surprise. She jumped out of her chair and grabbed her mom around the neck in a big hug.

“Gaaack! You’re choking me,” Mom said in a goofy voice.

“Sorry, Mommy.” Emily let go. “I’m going to invite Jessie over right away! Let’s see. We’ll have a tea party! We’ll eat pizza and have ice cream for dessert and—ooh—we can bake brownies to go with the ice cream—will you help us make them? Please, please?” Emily begged her mother.

“You might want to call Jessie and see if she can come before you make all your plans,” Mom suggested.

“Oh, yeah! That’s a good idea,” said Emily. Mom handed her the phone so she could make the call. Soon, it was all settled. Jessie would come over as soon as she packed.

“Thank you, Mommy!” Emily said as she passed her the phone. “Now I have to get ready for company.” She buzzed around the kitchen preparing for her party with her favorite cousin.

Meanwhile, at Jessie’s house, Jessie buzzed around her room, trying to figure out what to take to Emily’s. Jessie had been surprised by the invitation to sleep over tonight. She was so excited that she didn’t know where to begin.

“I better hurry up and pack!” She opened her dresser drawers and pulled out socks and shirts and threw them into her suitcase.

“Hmm. I wonder if I’ll need these.” She grabbed two pairs of shoes from her closet. “Better take them just in case.”

Jessie continued to stuff things into the suitcase until it was overflowing. She was trying to figure out how to make her teapot fit when her mom walked in.

“What are you doing?” Mom asked.

“I’m packing for Emily’s,” Jessie replied.

“Well, I hardly think you need all that.”

“What do you mean?” Jessie asked, clutching her little teapot. “Emily said we’d have a tea party.”

“Yes, but doesn’t Emily have a tea set? Just use hers.”

Jessie frowned. “I guess we could.” She set the teapot on her table.

“And what’s that?” Mom picked up a box of cheesy crackers. “Why are you taking these?”

“I might get hungry.”

“Don’t you think Emily will feed you?”

Jessie shrugged. “She didn’t say what’s for dinner. I thought I’d take those just in case.”

Mom shook the box of crackers. “Jessie, these crackers are all broken now.”

“I’m sorry, but I had to smash the box to make them fit.”

Mom rolled her eyes. “I don’t think you need to take any food. Trust your cousin. I’m sure she will feed you all you need for tonight—and tomorrow.”

“Okay, but how about these?” Jessie pulled out her furry bunny slippers and her heavy winter bathrobe.

Mom laughed. “Why would you need those? It’s still warm outside. If you get cold, Emily can turn up the heater.”

Mom reached into the suitcase and pulled out three stuffed animals. “Jessie, there won’t be any room for you in your bed with all these!”

Jessie peered into her suitcase. Now that the crackers, bathrobe, slippers, and stuffies were gone, she had lots of room. “Hey, I can fit my pillow now.” Jessie was about to cram her pillow into the suitcase when her mom stopped her.

“Jessie, Emily’s got lots of pillows and blankets. You won’t need those, either.”

“Then what should I take?” Jessie asked with a big sigh.

“How about pajamas?” Mom asked.

“Oh, yeah! I guess I should take those. And my toothbrush.”

“Now you’re thinking.” Mom smiled. She helped Jessie add a hairbrush and some clothes for the morning.

“Wow! There’s still lots of room. May I take my stuffed kitty to sleep with and that new card game I got—oh, and one dress for my doll?”

“Okay. Those will fit nicely,” Mom agreed. “But everything else will be provided by Emily.”

Finally, Jessie was ready to go. She loaded her doll into her stroller, perched her suitcase on top, and headed out the door. “Bye, Mom!” Jessie waved as she pushed the stroller down the sidewalk to Emily’s house.

“You’re here, you’re here!” Emily danced around her cousin as Jessie walked in the front door.

Emily’s mom greeted Jessie. “I’m so glad you could come tonight. It’s such a blessing to Emily to have someone sleep over.”

“Yes!” Emily agreed. “Mom said I have to be a perfect hostess, so if there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

Jessie thought for a moment. “Well, I am getting hungry. I could use some dinner soon.”

“Let’s go then!” Emily led Jessie to the kitchen.

“Mmm! I smell pepperoni!” Jessie exclaimed.

“Yep, that’s right.” Emily laid a slice of fresh, gooey pizza on a plate. “But I have to make sure you have a healthy dinner, so here’s some veggies, too.” She added some baby carrots next to the pizza slice and handed the plate to Jessie.

“Wow!” said Jessie. “My mom was right; you really will make sure I’ve got everything I need. Thanks!”

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