The Letter from Down Under

'Girls!'  Mommy called through the house.  'Girls!'  She walked into the kitchen.  Melody had pushed a chair up to the sink.  'What are you doing, Melody?' asked Mommy.
'Cleaning up the dinner dishes,' she replied.

'Ok, well finish up, we're having a family meeting,' said Mommy leaving the kitchen.  She sought out the next doll.  She found Sophie in the bedroom on the BIg Chair playing RIbbon with Holly.
'Honey, come to the living room,' she said, scratching Holly behind the ears.  'Family meeting.'
'Ok, Mommy,' said Sophie, wrapping up the ribbon.

Mommy found Aria on the couch.  She was covered with a blanket and was holding the TV remote.
'Aria, turn off the TV, we're having a family meeting.'
'But, Mommy, I'm watching the Golden GIrls!  That Rose is a riot,' she replied chuckling.

'Mute it then, you can go back to it.  Where's Sonata?'
'I saw her take her telescope through the kitchen.  She must be outside.'
Mommy went out back and there was Sonata, looking at the stars.
'Sonata it's freezing out here.  I don't know how you can stand it.  But come in, we're having a family meeting.'
Sonata turned and said, 'Ok, I was just wrapping up here anyway.  Meet you in the living room!'

Mommy went back inside, rubbing warmth into her arms.  Sophie was the first to arrive at the couch.  Aria helped her sit down.

'What's going on?' asked Sophie, turning toward Aria.  'We rarely have family meetings.'

'I don't know,' replied Aria, 'but Mommy's been acting strange for months.  Maybe she's finally going to tell us why.'
'Yes, I've been worried about her.  She pours over those papers, stays up late, mutters to herself.'  Sophie would have frowned but her mouth didn't move.

'She's been very weird,' agreed Melody as she climbed on the couch and propped herself up beside Aria.  They all turned to watch Sonata make her way across the living room.

'Thanks for the gloves, Aria,' she said, tossing them into Aria's lap.  'They really helped a lot.  It was so cold out there!'
'Oh sure!' Aria said, pulling them on her little hands.

When they were all gathered, Mommy came and sat with them.  Sophie immediately took up her spot next to Mommy.
'Ok, girls, I have news.' she said, 'I have a letter here from your penpal, Kira.

'OH!' they all gasped.  They loved Kira.  She was visiting Australia and was working in an animal sancturary.  She wrote the most fascinating letters.
'What did she say?' asked Aria.
'Well,' said Mommy, 'perhaps you'd like to read it and then we'll discuss it.'  She handed the letter to Aria.

Aria reached for the letter.  But she suddenly felt nervous.  'Mommy, this sounds extra special.  Maybe you should read this one.'  The others agreed.  Sophie climbed into Mommy's lap and held the paper.

Mommy read.

Dear Girls,
I have the best news!  After several months of paperwork, it's finally official!  My friend Andi will be coming to America to live with you!  I met her here at the santuary and learned that her dream is to live in America.  So we wrote to Mommy and Mommy said she can come live with you all.  She is so excited!  Mommy will tell you more.  I hope this letter finds you well.  I am planning to be home in a few months.  I love you all!
Love Kira

Everyone sat very still.  Then they all started talking at once.
'Woah, woah, woah,' said Mommy, holding up her hand for quiet.  'One at a time!'
Sophie jumped off her lap.  'What does she look like?'
Aria waved her arms.  'How is she getting here?'
Melody raised her hand.  'Is she bringing any animals with her?'
Sonata raised a hand as well.  'What's 'paperwork'?'

Mommy sighed.  'Ok,' she said, 'Sophie, she has black hair and blue eyes.'
'Like Daddy!' Sophie cried.
'Yes, like Daddy.  She's Australian like Daddy, which we know.'  Everyone nodded.  'Aria, she's coming on a big plane that flies across the ocean.  And then when it gets to America, she'll take another plane on a shorter trip that will bring her here to Colorado Springs. Then she'll take a car to our house.'  Aria pondered this.  'Melody, she can't bring any of her animals because America has strict laws about introducing foreign animals into the country.'
'But she'll miss her animals,' Melody replied sadly.
'She will, but we'll make her feel welcome with our animals.  And we'll get her a special gift to remind her of the animals that had to stay behind.'  Melody thought this was a good idea.
'Sonata, wow, that's a heck of a question.  I had to fill out many many forms for the government to allow Andi to come live here.  They were simliar to all the papers I had to fill out when Daddy wanted to come here.  Except they were Daddy papers and these are for a little doll.  The papers have all her and our information on it.  And it says that if she comes to live her, we will take good care of her.'  Sonata blinked a few times.  She was overwhelmed.  'TIme for bed, girls,' Mommy said suddenly.  The girls had more questions but Mommy said they'd talk tomorrow as it was getting late.  Sophie went straight to bed.  The Pony GIrls stayed up a while.  They talked about their new sister and what they thought she might be like.

Mommy woke them the next morning.  'GIrls I want you to answer Kira's letter today.  I want to make sure it gets there before Andi leaves.
The girls bustled about getting themselves ready.   Aria and Henry leaned over their bunk.  'Mel, where'd you go?' asked Aria.  'Here,' answered Melody.  She was sitting on the edge of the dresser.  'Melody, make your bed,' Sonata complained as Gilbert popped his head up.  He was all ready to play Bone.  'It's a sleeping bag, it makes itself,' Melody said airily.  Sonata muttered under her breath.

'Where's Sophie?' asked Mommy, walking back in.  The girls all turned to the bed but Sophie wasn't there.  'I thought i heard the door open earlier.  Maybe she's in the living room,' suggested Melody. Mommy walked out to the living room.  The room was dark except for the beautiful lights on the Christmas tree.  Sophie had turned them on and was at her barre practicing.  Mommy's movement caught her eye and she looked up.  'I didn't want to wake anyone.  And it's so lovely when it's quiet.'  'That's completely alright, Sophie.  You are doing so well at your exercises.' 

'Come to the table with the others.  I want you all to answer Kira's letter so we can get it in the mail.  It has a long way to go.'  'Ok, Mommy,' Sophie said.  She pushed her barre back under the tree and walked to the table.  Soon everyone had arrived.  Aria took her place on Daddy's chair, notebook and pen at hand.  Dear Kira, how are yuo? she wrote.  'Ok, what should I say?' she asked.  Everyone started talking at once again.
'You spelled 'you' wrong,' said Sonata leaning over her.  'Ask her when she'll be home' said Melody from behind her.  'Ask her if Andi dances!' chirped Sophie from the chair legs.  Aria shook her head.  She didn't know where to start.
'Just write a nice letter,' said Mommy, shaking her head.  She liked seeing the girls so excited.

We'll meet Kira and Andi soon.  We hope you enjoyed our blog!

Love Aria ❤