Hello, I'm Cheryl and welcome to Sleep Tight Relax a cozy bedtime show designed for kids but perfect for sleepers of all ages.
So snuggle up, get comfy, and let's drift into a peaceful bedtime together.
Tonight's story is most often told around Thanksgiving, but it's great for any time of the year.
In our story, five grandchildren visit their grandparents' farm for the holiday.
As they explore the farm, playing with animals and discovering new places, they climb onto the roof of a shed, only to find themselves stuck when the ladder falls.
After calling for help, their grandfather comes to the rescue just in time for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.
So why don't you lie back in bed, close your eyes if you like, and get cozy and comfortable.
As we often do before bed, we'll take some deep breaths.
Use your wonderful imagination to imagine you're on a big, peaceful farm, just like the one in our story.
The air is fresh, the sun is shining, and you can smell fallen leaves and fresh apples.
While on the farm, you'll spend time with your family, just like the characters in our story.
Think about how special it feels to be with the people you love, your family or friends.
These moments remind us that spending time together is something we should be thankful for.
As you walk through the fields, or play with animals.
You might try new things or face small challenges.
It's okay if things don't go perfectly at first.
Sometimes we make mistakes, but that's how we learn.
Remember, it's important to be brave.
Ask for help when we need it and trust that things will turn out all right.
And finally, as we hear about the characters in the story, think about how they care for each other.
Even when things get a little tricky, they look out for one another.
It reminds us to be kind and patient and work together, especially when things don't go as planned.
So, as we take some deep belly breaths, keep these thoughts in your heart.
The joy of being with family, being brave when trying new things and remembering to help one another.
Now, take a deep breath in through your nose.
Imagine you're breathing in the crisp, fresh country air.
Feel your belly gently rise as it fills with air.
Slowly breathe out through your mouth.
Imagine you're blowing out a soft breeze that makes the leaves gently rustle around you.
Let's do that again.
Breathe in deeply through your nose.
This time, picture the warm sun shining on your face, making you feel cozy and safe.
Breathe out slowly.
As you do, let go of any thoughts or worries.
Let the wind carry them away.
One last time, take a deep breath in.
Feel your whole body relax as you fill up with peace and happiness.
Now, breathe out gently.
Imagine you are sitting under a big tree on a farm, feeling calm and ready to hear our story.
Dinner at Grandma's Farm.
One crisp autumn morning, grandma gray opened the windows and doors of her cozy farmhouse.
The fresh air smelled of fallen leaves and soon everyone in the house was wide awake, bustling with excitement.
The smell of pancakes and sizzling bacon filled the kitchen as the cook hurried to prepare breakfast.
Grandpa Gray finished his coffee, grabbed his hat, and headed outside.
Time to go get the kids, he said with a smile.
He walked out to the barn and hitched the two horses, Robin and Dobbin, to the big wooden wagon.
Up and at them, Robin and Dobbin.
If you knew who was coming back in this wagon, you'd be racing down the road.
Grandpa laughed, patting the horse's sides.
Robin and Dobbin pricked up their ears and started trotting a little faster, as if they understood.
They trotted down the country road their hooves clip-clopping along, and soon they reached the train station in town.
Just as Grandpa pulled up, the train whistled and hissed to a stop.
All off, called the conductor, and out of the train tumbled five children, all of them Grandpa and Grandma Gray's beloved grandchildren, who had come to spend Thanksgiving at the farm.
There was John, who was named after Grandpa and looked just like him, with his curly hair and a twinkle in his eye.
Then came the twins, Teddy and Pat, who looked like no one but each other, always laughing and whispering secrets, was Louisa, with her braid swinging as she ran.
Her baby sister stayed home this year.
And last was Mary Virginia, who was the only child of Grandma's youngest daughter.
Hop in, kids, Grandpa said, helping each one into the wagon.
You'll make your grandma so happy.
The children scrambled into the wagon, their eyes wide with excitement.
Louisa pointed to the horses.
Grandpa, are Robin and Dobbin going to take us all the way to the farm?
They sure are, Grandpa said with a grin.
Hold on tight.
As they bumped along the country road, the children chattered about everything from school to what they brought for Thanksgiving.
John proudly declared, I'm in the first grade now.
So am I, Louisa said, hugging her knees.
We're going to be soon, the twins shouted together.
Always a little quieter, Mary Virginia smiled and said, I miss my mama's apple pie.
But I can't wait to see Grandma's farm.
When they finally reached the farmhouse, Grandma Gray was already watching from the window.
As soon as the wagon stopped, the kids leaped out and ran towards her racing to see who could hug her first.
Dear me, dear me, Grandma laughed as they all hugged her at once.
You've all grown so much.
I'm in first grade, John said, squeezing her tight.
Me too, Louisa chimed in.
We're almost there, the twins added, bouncing up and down.
They talked so quickly and loudly that Grandma could barely keep up.
All right, all right, slow down.
Tell me everything after you say hello to the farm.
And with that, the kids were off like a gust of wind, running to greet everything on the farm.
Take care of yourselves, Grandma called after them.
I don't want to send any broken bones back to your mothers.
We can take care of ourselves.
John shouted over his shoulder as they ran toward the barnyard.
First they visited the kitchen where the cook was bustling about getting everything ready for the big Thanksgiving dinner.
The smell of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie made their stomachs rumble, but there was no time to stay.
Next they ran outside to meet the two new red calves in the barn and play with Juno's five squirmy little puppies.
After that they climbed the barnyard fence and headed to the pasture where Grandpa kept his wooly sheep.
Baa, the sheep greeted them as they approached.
Baa, to you too, Pat called back. making everyone laugh.
There were also cows grazing peacefully, and while the boys found them fascinating, Mary Virginia was not so sure.
They're too big, she whispered nervously, clutching Louisa's arm.
Don't be silly, Mary Virginia, they won't hurt you, John teased.
But Mary Virginia's lips started to quiver, and soon she began to cry.
It's okay, Louisa said gently, taking her hand.
Let's go to the hickory tree instead.
Everyone agreed, and off they went.
But on the way they passed the big shed where Grandpa stored all his farm equipment flowers, garden tools and the threshing machine.
Against the shed leaned a tall ladder, and John, always the leader, saw it as a challenge.
I bet I can climb up to the roof, he said with a mischievous grin.
The twins, of course, followed him up the ladder without hesitation.
Me too, me too.
Louisa hesitated, but then decided she didn't want to be left behind.
Wait for me, she called, scrambling up behind them.
Not wanting to be alone, even Mary Virginia bravely climbed the ladder.
And there they all sat, perched in a row on the wide roof, looking out over the farm and like they were on top of the world,
See, Grandma doesn't know how well we can take care of ourselves.
John said proudly, puffing out his chest.
I can ride a bike.
I can go on errands.
So can I, Louisa interrupted.
We can ride on the trolley, the twins chorused.
Mama and I go anywhere by ourselves.
Mary Virginia added, feeling a bit braver now.
Just then, one of the cows wandered by, rubbing her head against the ladder.
Mary Virginia gasped.
What if the cow knocks over the ladder?
Don't worry, John said confidently.
Cows can't climb ladders.
But no sooner had he said that than the ladder tipped over and fell with a soft thud into the dry grass.
There, now look at what you did, Louisa exclaimed, staring down at the fallen ladder.
How are we going to get down?
That's nothing, John said, waving her off.
I'll just call for Grandpa.
Watch this.
He stood up on the roof and shouted, Grandpa!
Grandpa!
But no answer came.
Then the twins joined in.
Grandpa!
Grandma!
But still, there was no response, except the sheep below going, Baa!
Soon, Even John started to feel a little nervous.
They all began calling together, but their voices grew weaker and nobody came.
The sun was rising higher and their stomachs were starting to rumble.
They've probably eaten dinner already.
John muttered his stomach growling at the thought of turkey, and pie want to go home.
Mary Virginia wailed her fear returning.
Just when they were about to give up, they heard a familiar voice.
Johnny, Louisa, where are you?
It was Grandpa.
The children sat up straight shouting with all their might.
Grandpa, We're on the roof.
Grandpa looked up in surprise and laughed.
Well, how on earth did you get up there?
Inventive kids I see, Grandpa said with a wink, setting the ladder back up.
One by one, he helped them climb down.
Mary Virginia came down first and John, the oldest, came down last, a little sheepish.
Grandpa smiled and gave each of them a big hug.
There now, safe and sound, he said.
I'll bet you're all ready for Thanksgiving dinner.
By the time they got back to the house, the table was set and everything was ready.
The turkey was golden brown, the mashed potatoes were creamy and the pies were piled high with whipped cream.
The children couldn't believe their eyes.
There's so much food, Pat exclaimed.
There's no place like Grandma's for Thanksgiving, John declared as he dug into his plate.
As they sat together, eating and laughing, they agreed that there was nothing better than a visit to Grandma's farm, where adventures were always waiting and family made everything more special.
If you're still awake, it's the perfect time to whisper something kind to yourself.
Take a deep breath and in your mind or in a soft voice, say these gentle words.
I can solve problems and it's okay to ask for help when I need it.
I stay calm and patient. even when things don't go as planned.
I can face challenges with a positive attitude, knowing I'll learn something new.
I am grateful for the special moments I share with the people I love.
I believe in myself and trust that everything will work out I am calm, relaxed, and peaceful.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
