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Ella Reaney

Helps Barbie Make The Happy Times Playground $26 ©Mattel

 Your friends,
Michelle & David

My friend, Ella Reaney, aged 4, came to visit all summer from Pukekohe, and this is about the wonderful time we had doing something special in my town!

I’m so glad you’re spending the summer,” Barbie told Ella as she drove Ella from the airport to her house.  “My friends and I have lots of fun things planned for us to do starting with a bike ride in the park!”  “Back at home, I love to go bike riding with Michelle and David,” Ella replied with a smile.  Soon, Barbie, Ken, Skipper, Midge and Ella were riding along a shady bike path.  “There’s the playground where you used to bring me when I was little,” said Skipper.  “But is doesn’t look very nice anymore. 

The swings and slides are broken and the sandbox needs painting.”  “We should fix it up so children can have a happy time playing here like you did,” Barbie suggested.  “We could plan lots of fun town events all summer to raise money to fix up the playground,” Ella suggested.  Everyone thought Ella had a great idea.  “Let’s ride our bikes into town and ask the Mayor if she agrees with our idea.” Barbie said.

The Mayor agreed at once.  “I know you will plan some wonderful things to do,” she told Barbie.  Next, they went to the Sweete Shoppe to make their plans.  “We’ll need to have lots of stories and photographs in the newspaper to tell the whole town about the events,” Barbie said as they talked.  “We’ll need a name for the playground and a fun slogan, too.”  

“How about calling it ‘A Summer of Smiles for the Happy Times Playground’,” Ella suggested.  “That’s perfect!” Barbie exclaimed, smiling at Ella.  “I’ll take the pictures for the newspaper” Ella offered.  “And I can send copies of all my pictures to Michelle and David back home, too.”

They all decided to start with a big pep rally at the Town Square. All week long, Ella and her friends worked hard.  By Saturday, everything was ready.  Ella put up posters and banners she had painted.  “Have a Summer of Smiles for the Happy Times Playground!” the banners read.  Midge served pink lemonade and sugar cookies to passers by. 

Twirling her baton, Skipper led the high school band around the Town Square while Barbie and Ken did cheerleading routines on the courthouse steps.  Ella hurried everywhere, taking pictures of all the fun.  The next day, the pictures Ella took were on the front page of the town newspaper with a big headline that said “Barbie and Friends Start a Summer of Smiles.”  “Your photographs are terrific, Ella,” Barbie said.  “They really helped us get everyone’s attention.”

“What should we do next?” Skipper asked.  “How about a family sandcastle building contest at the beach?” Ella suggested.  “We could give prizes for the best sandcastles.”  “That’s a great idea, Ella!” Barbie exclaimed.  The day of the contest, the beach was full of happy families laughing and smiling as they built sandcastles.  Midge and Ken sold contest tickets and gave away sunhats with the words “Happy Times Playground” written on them  Skipper sold ice cream cones.  Barbie gave prizes for the biggest, fanciest and funniest castles.  

“I know we can’t compete for a prize, because it wouldn’t be fair,” Skipper said.  “But I want to build a sandcastle, too, just for fun.”  Ella helped Skipper, Midge and Barbie build a giant sandcastle and decorate it with tiny shells.  Ella took a picture of her friends standing beside their sandcastle for the newspaper.  “I’m going to send this photo and some of the shells to Michelle and David,” said Ella.

The next day, Barbie and her friends gathered at Barbie’s house to relax by her pool and think of ideas for their next event.  “Let’s have a rodeo and barbecue at the Circle K Ranch” Barbie suggested.  “Great idea,” Ella replied.  “I know how to make delicious cloe slaw for the barbecue.”  The day of the rodeo, Ella and Midge helped Ken prepare the barbecue food.  Dressed in matching Western outfits, Barbie and Skipper prepared to lead all the riders in the opening parade around the riding ring to begin the rodeo.  But Skipper’s horse was nervous.  It stamped its hooves and tossed its head. 

“I have some carrots left from making cole slaw,” Ella told Barbie.  “Maybe if Skipper feeds them to her horse, it will calm down.”  “Let’s try it,” Barbie answered.  Ella took a picture of Skipper feeding carrots to her horse.  “I think that picture is going to be my favorite,” Ella said.  “Thank you, Ella!”  Skipper called as she and Barbie rode into the ring.  The crown cheered as the rodeo began.

The next day, everyone met to talk about their next plans.  “What about giving a dance at the Town Hall?” Ella suggested.  “Oh, that would be lovely!” Barbie exclaimed.  “I’ll even make matching pink ruffled dresses for you, Skipper and Midge,” said Ella.  The day of the dance, everyone gathered to decorate the Town Hall.  They hung streamers and balloons, but the flowers for the tables didn’t come.   “What are we going to do?” Midge asked.  “The tables won’t be pretty without the flowers.”  

“I have an idea,” replied Ella.  “Michelle and David taught me how to make flowers from crepe paper for parties.  I can show you how.”  Soon, the tables were decorated with pink, blue and lavender paper flowers.  As townspeople arrived and the band began to play, Ella took pictures.  She even got one of Barbie and Ken dancing together.  And the next day, it was on the front page of the paper.

“We almost have enough money raised to fix up the playground,” Barbie told her friends after the dance ended.  “But we need one more really special last event.  “What about a Summer Bride fashion show in the town rose garden?”  Once again, everyone set to work.  And in a few days, everything was ready.  But on the day of the fashion show, it was very breezy.  As Skipper waited for her turn to model, a breeze blew her bridesmaid hat off and sent it dancing into the sky.  “Don’t worry, Skipper,” Ella said. 

Quickly, she picked some tiny pink rosebuds and wove them into a dainty wreath for Skipper to wear.  The crown applauded as Ken, Skipper, Midge and Ella modeled their wedding outfits.  And when Barbie modeled the bridal gowns, everyone and oohedaahed.  At the end of the show, Barbie made an announcement to the crowd.  “With your support, we’ve raised enough money to build the Happy Times Playground,” she told the cheering crowd.

For days everyone in town gathered in the park to help Barbie and the others build and paint, plant and weed until the playground was finished.  The Mayor held an opening ceremony the day before Ella returned to Pukekohe.  As Barbie cut the pink ribbon to the new playground, Ella took one last picture.  “Thank’s to Barbie and her friends, the town has a beautiful new place for children to play,” the Mayor announced to the crowd.  “So, we’ve decided to name this ‘Barbie’s Happy Times Playground’.”  Everyone applauded and cheered. 

“I couldn’t have done this without the help of everyone in town and all of my friends,” Barbie spoke.  “And I especially want to thank my friend Ella for her wonderful ideas.”  “I’m glad I was part of making Barbie’s Happy Times Playground come true,” Ella said.  “I can’t wait to show Michelle and David my pictures.  “Yes” Barbie answered smiling.  “This really was a summer of smiles for all of us.”