When Elise stopped crying, she looked up at Shari, who smiled at her warmly. She wiped the three-year-old's tears with her thumb.

"I knew you would come, Shari. I knew it," Elise told her best friend. "This is the best surprise ever! Thank you."

"Oh, you're welcome, bubee," Shari replied. "It was really sweet of you to invite me..."

"And me!" interupted Lamb Chop.

"Of course, Lamb Chop. I'm sorry, darling," Shari apologized to the lamb. Back to Elise, she tried again, "It was sweet of you to invite us to celebrate your birthday."

Elise giggled. "Did you like the video my grandpa and I made?"

Shari nodded. "Yes, and I was really touched that you think of me as a friend and teacher."

"I like how you, Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy, and Charlie Horse make me laugh, Shari," Elise told her. "You always make me laugh with your animal sounds, your jokes, and poems. By the way, where are Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy?"

"Oh, they are back at home with my husband and daughter," Shari replied. "I'll tell them you said hi."

"You are a mommy?" asked Elise, surprised. "I didn't know that."

"Yes, her name is Mallory."

"Is she my age?"

Shari shook her head and chuckled. "No, she's much older than you. She's actually the same age as your mommy."

"Is Lamb Chop your daughter, too?"

"I'm her little lamb," Lamb Chop said. "And Shari is my shepherd."

"Shepherdess," corrected Shari.

"Yes," said Lamb Chop. "Elise, do you know any jokes?"

"I think I do," Elise said. "My grandpa told me this one the other day. Let me see. How did it go? Oh! How do you know if there's an elephant under your bed?"

"I give up," said Lamb Chop. "How do you know if there's an elephant under your bed?"

"Your nose touches the ceiling!" Elise answered. She and Shari began to laugh.

"'Your nose touches the ceiling!'" Lamb Chop repeated as she laughed. "I think I get it. Here's my joke: What animal needs to wear a wig?"

"What animal needs to wear a wig?" Elise asked. "I don't know. Shari, do you know?"

Shari shook her head. "We give up, Lamb Chop. What animal needs to wear a wig?"

"A bald eagle!" Lamb Chop answered. Elise and Shari laughed again.

"It's your turn, Shari," said Elise.

Shari thought for a second. "Okay, my joke is...Why did the rooster cross the road?"

"I don't know," Elise said.

"To cock-a-doodle-doo something!" When Shari said that joke, she did her rooster imitation and that made Elise laugh very hard. Everyone in the room laughed at the threesome's jokes.

Lana told everyone to come into the kitchen for pizza. As the guests followed Lana, Elise held Shari's hand and said, "Wait until you see my birthday cake."

After everyone had a few slices of pizza, it was time for cake and ice cream. Elise was really excited to blow out her candles once everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

"Don't forget to make a wish," Lana reminded.

Elise closed her eyes and thought about what she should wish for. I know what to wish for. I wish Shari and I could be friends forever. Then, she blew out her candles and Lana helped her serve the cake.

After the cake was done, James, Christopher, and Grandma Sophia went home leaving Lana, Richard, Elise, and Shari the whole house to themselves. Elise was thrilled when Shari decided to stay longer so she could spend time with her. All evening, after the party was cleaned up, Shari and Elise had bunches of fun: Shari read Elise her new stories and they watched The Aristocats and Muppet Classic Theater. In the middle of "Rumplestiltskin", Elise's eyes began to droop and her head fell on Shari's lap.

"I think someone is ready for bed," Lana said.

Elise jerked her head up, looked around, and said, "Who, me?"

"Yes, you. It's time for bed, Lis."

"Can Shari stay a little longer until I fall asleep?" Elise begged. "Please, Mommy? Please, Shari?"

"It's alright with me, Lana," Shari said.

"Oh...all right," Lana said to her daughter. "But only until you fall asleep. Now, get ready for bed. We'll be in your room in a few minutes."

"Yay!" The three-year-old cheered. She grabbed her new Lamb Chop doll from the couch and quickly ran to her room. Elise put her Lamb Chop doll on her bed, took off her jumpsuit, put on her purple and blue pajamas, and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. After three minutes, the little girl was back in her room and tucked herself into bed. She put her two favorite toys (Dale and Lamb Chop) into her arms and gave them a big hug.

Elise heard a rap at the door. "Come in," she said. Lana, Richard, and Shari entered the room. Lana and Richard kissed and hugged Elise good night.

"Did you have a wonderful birthday, Lis?" Lana asked her daughter.

Elise nodded. "I sure did, Mommy. It was the best birthday ever."

"What did you like best about your birthday this year, honey?" Richard asked.

"Everything!" was Elise's answer.

Lana and Richard chuckled and gave the birthday girl one more good night hug and kiss before leaving Elise alone with Shari and Lamb Chop, who was laid down on top of the little girl's blanket.

"I'm really glad you came over to celebrate my birthday with me and my family," Elise told Shari.

"We're glad, too, Lissie," Shari replied as Elise smiled.

"Shari? Will you please tell me another story?"

"Absolutely. What story would you like to hear?"

Elise thought for a moment, then said, "Tell me the story of Santa Claus and the Evil Emperor."

And so Shari did. Elise had so much fun participating with her just like the time she watched the "Bigger is Better" episode of Lamb Chop's Play-Along when Shari read the Christmas story to Lamb Chop's playmates. When the story was over, Elise laid her head back into her pillow and yawned. But then, tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Lissie, what's the matter?" Shari asked as the three-year-old began to cry. She hugged and rubbed Elise's back as she sobbed into her chest.

"Shari, are we going to see each other again soon?" Elise sobbed.

Shari looked at the girl warmly and weaved her fingers through Elise's hair. "Bubee, I'll tell you what. If it's alright with your mom and grandpa, we can talk to each other on the phone. We can talk about anything you like. And then, of course, maybe when you are all done with school for the summer, you can come visit me. How does that sound?"

"Yes!" Elise sobbed happily, then she wiped her tears.

"Now, let's get you to sleep." Shari tucked the girl in one more time and gave her a kiss good night. Elise kissed Shari back on the cheek.

"I love you, Shari," Elise said.

"I love you, too, my little Lissie."

"Before you go, Shari, will you sing to me?" Elise requested. "Please?"

Shari began to sing a lullaby. "Close your eyes, sleepyhead. And the angels will guard you. Go to sleep, my sleepyhead. My blessings follow you to bed. Lullaby and good night. Close your eyes tight. Lullaby and good night. It's time to turn out the light."

Elise fell asleep and Shari tiptoed out with Lamb Chop in her arms.