"How did you become friends with Shari, Mommy?" Kennedy asked.

"Well, one day after watching an episode of "Lamb Chop's Play-Along"," Elise began. "Grandma Lana told me that it was time for lunch and to come into the kitchen."

(Flashback to August 1996)

As Elise started eating her favorite lunch, which was a tuna fish sandwich with carrots and pears, Lana told the little girl, "Lis, your third birthday is coming soon! Are you excited?"

Elise, with her mouth full of sandwich, nodded.

"What kind of party would you like for your birthday this year?" asked Lana. "And make sure you don't talk with your mouth full this time."

Elise nodded, then swallowed and said, "May I please have a Lamb Chop party?"

"With a Lamb Chop shaped cake?" Lana hinted with a smile and eyebrow raised.

"Yes, Mommy," said the soon-to-be three year old. "May I also have a Lamb Chop dolly for my birthday?"

"We'll see," answered Lana.

"And Mommy..."

"Yes?"

"Can I invite a special friend to come to my party?" Elise requested.

"Sure! Who is your friend?"

Elise had a few friends from her daycare, but even if she wanted to invite them, they were not the special friend. Elise felt a little nervous about telling Lana. She played with her hair and started to suck her thumb. "Ummm...ummm..." She felt relieved when the doorbell rang.

Lana noticed the look on her daughter's face. "Do you want to tell me about your special friend later?" She asked sympathetically. Elise nodded, then she ran over to see who was at the door.

"Who is it?" asked Elise.

"It's Grandpa, Lissie," Richard called from outside.

Elise opened the door, but she couldn't see her grandfather. "Grandpa? Grandpa, where did you go?" She looked around for at least a minute until she felt two hands under her arms. She gasped in surprise, but then smiled.

"Hi, Grandpa," she giggled. Richard loved to play jokes on his granddaughter every time he comes to visit her. Elise gave him a kiss and then the two walked back in the house. Lana was getting ready to go to work for the afternoon and told her daughter that she would be back before Elise goes to bed. Lana kissed and hugged her goodbye and told her to be good.

"I will, Mommy," Elise promised. "Hope you have a good day, too."

After Lana left, Elise and Richard went to the kitchen. Elise finished her lunch and said, "Mommy told me that my birthday is coming soon."

"Is it really?" Richard asked.

"Uh-huh," answered Elise. "And I'm going to have a Lamb Chop party with a Lamb Chop shaped birthday cake."

"Lamb Chop is one of your favorite characters, isn't he?" Richard asked again.

"She, Grandpa," Elise corrected. "Lamb Chop is a girl like me and Mommy."

"I'm teasing, baby," Richard said defensively. "I know Lamb Chop is a she."

"I'm teasing, too," giggled Elise.

"Oh, you silly," Richard laughed. "Do you know what you would like for your birthday?"

"Well, I told Mommy that I would like a Lamb Chop dolly."

"What else would you like for your birthday, Lissie?"

"I'm not sure, Grandpa, but I like surprises." Elise paused. Maybe I could tell Grandpa what I really, really want. She thought. I know I shouldn't get my hopes up, but it doesn't hurt to try. "Grandpa?"

Richard looked at her. "What is it, honey?"

"Can I tell you a secret?" asked Elise.

"Sure. What is it?" Richard replied.

"I asked Mommy if I could invite a special friend to come to my party. But I couldn't tell her who it was."

"Why not?"

"I guess I was afraid that if I told, then Mommy would just tell me that I'm going to get my hopes up and that it would be impossible for her to come." Elise then cupped her mouth with her hand.

Richard smiled and put his arm around his granddaughter. "Hmmm. I think I might know who your special friend could be. Is she someone you see everyday?"

Elise nodded her head yes.

"Is she someone you know from school?" Richard asked again. Elise shook her head no.

"Would you happen to see your special friend on TV?"

Elise nodded again.

"Aha! I think I know who your friend is," Richard stated. "It's Shari, isn't it?"

Elise sighed and nodded again.

"That's what you really wanted for your birthday, Mommy?" asked Kennedy. "You wanted Shari to come to your party?"

"Yes," Elise replied with a small chuckle. She shook her head. "I still can't believe that I felt so scared."

"How did you tell Grandma about it?"

"Right after Grandma Lana came home from work and while we had dinner, Grandpa Richard and I explained that I know who I would like to invite to my party."

"Mommy," Elise started without hesitation. "May I invite Shari to come to my birthday party?"

Lana didn't know what to say. She looked at her daughter and then to her father.

"Please?"

"Oh, honey," Lana said. But before she could say another word, Elise said, "I know you told me not to get my hopes up, Mommy. But, I just want to try. Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad, Lis," Lana reassured her daughter. "I just want to know. Why would you like to invite Shari, honey?"

"Because Shari is my friend and I want her to know that," Elise answered. "She, Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy, and Charlie Horse make me laugh, I love her Teddy Bear Tales, her songs, and I think Shari is the best teacher I ever had. We just haven't met each other yet."

Lana thought that her daughter had a point. It was decided that the next afternoon after Lana went to work, Richard and Elise would start creating a video birthday party invitation for Shari.