V.T. Bidania - Astrid and Apollo and the Puppy Surprise

For Justyn VTB

	Hi, Im Astrid. My twin brother is Apollo, and we were born in Minnesota. We live here with our mom, dad, and little sister, Eliana.
	Hi, Im Apollo! Our mom and dad were both born in Laos. They came to the United States when they were very young and grew up here.

Astrid looked at the crayons. She tapped her chin. She did not know which color to pick. But she knew Apollo liked blue.

She read the names of the crayon colors. There were so many blues. Baby blue, navy blue, sea blue. Eliana, whats the best blue for Apollos shirt? Sea blue? she asked.

Eliana was sitting in her high chair drinking juice from her sippy cup. She said loudly, SEE BOO!

Astrid put her finger to her lips. Shhh! We dont want Apollo to hear!

Eliana copied her big sister. She put her finger to her lips too and said, Shhh!

You are so silly! Astrid laughed and picked up the sea blue crayon. Let me test this, she said.

She drew the shape of a T-shirt. She colored it in with the crayon.

Sea blue is perfect! she said. Now I need to draw a funny cat.

CAT! said Eliana.

Be quiet, Eliana! You are going to ruin my surprise, Astrid whispered.

Suh-pies! said Eliana.

What surprise? Mom asked as she walked into the kitchen. She was carrying a small pack of paper.

Astrid stood up. Mom, did you get the ? she asked softly.

Mom handed it to Astrid. She said quietly, Yes, this is for you!

Thank you! whispered Astrid. She opened the pack. Inside were thin pieces of paper. When I finish my drawing, I can print it on this!

Mom nodded. Yes, well your drawing into the computer and print it on the transfer paper. Then well iron that onto a T-shirt.

Will you help me iron it, please? Astrid asked.

Of course, Mom said. A T-shirt will be a very nice birthday present for Apollo.

Thanks, Mom! Astrid said happily.

Every year on their birthday, Astrid and Apollo surprised each other with fun presents. This year Astrid wanted to make the present herself.

Apollo always said he wasnt sure whether he wanted a pet cat. But he sure liked to wear cat T-shirts! So when her cousin Lily told her about the transfer paper, Astrid knew what to do. She would draw a funny cat and put it on a T-shirt for Apollo!

What color shirt do you want to give him? Mom asked.

Astrid showed Mom the crayon. Eliana and I picked sea blue.

Thats a nice color. Ill try to find a shirt to match at the store, said Mom.

Apollo walked into the room. Find what at the store? he asked.

Nothing! said Astrid. She hid the transfer paper behind her back.

Nothing! Mom repeated. She picked up Eliana from the high chair.

Nuh-ding! Eliana screamed.

Apollo covered his ears and said, Sorry I asked!

After dinner, Astrid saw Mom, Dad, and Apollo in the living room. Astrid could hear them whispering.

Astrid smiled. Were they talking about her birthday present? What was Apollo planning?

They did not see her, so Astrid snuck up to hear better. She heard the words green and pink. Then she heard the word puppy.

Astrid gasped.

Apollo turned around.

Astrid ran down the hall and up the stairs. She hurried to her room, which she shared with Eliana. She quietly closed the door in case Eliana was sleeping.

Green and pink? Puppy?

Had Apollo guessed that Astrid was making him a cat shirt? Maybe he wanted to make Astrid a dog shirt! Maybe he was deciding between a green or pink shirt.

That had to be it. Apollo knew how much Astrid liked dogs. How funny! Astrid thought. They would give each other T-shirts!

Astrid was sure that Apollo would draw a Teddy Bear dog. Teddy Bear dogs were her favorite in the whole world. She had read a lot about them. They were small, sweet, and soft as teddy bears. They liked to . They did not bite. They loved their owners.

She wanted a Teddy Bear dog so much. Thats why she had lots of things with Teddy Bear puppies on them.

There was a knock on her door.

Astrid? Mom said softly.

Come in, whispered Astrid.

Mom walked in.

Im checking on Eliana. Is she asleep? Mom asked.

They both looked at Elianas crib.

She looks asleep to me, said Astrid.

She really wanted to ask Mom about the puppy shirt, but she knew it was supposed to be a surprise. So she said, Im working on my cat drawing for Apollo.

Thats great! Show me when youre done, Mom said. Then she left the room.

Astrid sat down at her desk. She took out paper and crayons. Outside the window, she saw the moon. It was a perfect, white circle. It looked so bright. It made her feel happy.

The white color made her think of a cat too. Astrid started to draw a cat fishing. Then she drew a cat playing soccer. She laughed as she drew. The cats looked funny!

Cat! said Eliana.

Astrid jumped. Eliana! I thought you were asleep.

She walked over to Elianas crib. Eliana was standing up, holding her blanket.

You need to go back to sleep. Hurry, before Mom hears youre awake, said Astrid.

Eliana sat down and pointed to Astrids drawing. Cat! she said again.