cover
Inside Emma's cozy living room, Emma spins with arms wide and an excited grin. She holds a phone to her ear, inviting friends to her “Great Salad Party”.
Emma twirled with excitement. "My birthday needs a Great Salad Party!" she said. She called her friends and smiled. "Bring your favorite veggie, please." The idea sparkled like confetti.
At a small craft table, afternoon light falls on Emma as she draws bright carrots and tomatoes on colorful invitation cards. Markers, stickers, and envelopes lie scattered across the surface.
Emma drew carrots and tomatoes on invitations. "No cake, just crunchy fun!" she giggled. She wrote the time and place. She added stickers. "Everyone’s welcome," she whispered happily.
Morning light fills the kitchen where lettuce-leaf balloons float above a long table lined with empty, brightly colored bowls. Emma washes crisp lettuce at the sink, smiling as she practices a tiny salad toss.
Balloons shaped like lettuce leaves floated. Emma set bright bowls on the table. "These bowls will hold rainbow veggies," she said. She washed crisp lettuce. She practiced tossing a tiny sample salad.
At the kitchen island, Emma tapes a sign reading “Wash, Chop, Share” above neatly arranged kid-safe cutters, napkins, and metal tongs. Warm ceiling lights illuminate her focused face.
She made a sign: "Wash, Chop, Share." "Clean hands first," Emma reminded. She set out kid-safe cutters. She placed napkins and tongs. "We’ll be careful and kind," she practiced saying.
By the open front doorway, Emma claps joyfully while two friends step inside holding baskets brimming with cucumbers and carrots. Soft afternoon light streams in, highlighting the nearby sink labeled “Washing Station”.
Doorbell chimes popped like kernels. Friends hurried in with baskets. "I brought cucumbers!" someone cheered. "Carrots for crunch!" another said. Emma clapped and showed the washing station.
Under bright kitchen lights, a long table becomes a vivid rainbow road of produce: red tomatoes, leafy greens, and orange carrots. Emma stands at one end directing placement with a cheerful laugh.
They lined veggies by color. "Red tomatoes here, please," Emma directed. Greens made a leafy hill. "Orange team, join carrots," she laughed. The table turned into a rainbow road.
Inside the kitchen, Emma demonstrates a slow, safe chop on a carrot at a wooden cutting board while two friends watch attentively, fingers tucked. The snip-chop rhythm echoes under warm overhead light.
Snip, chop, crunch went the room. "Listen to the veggie music," Emma said. She taught a safe slow chop. "Tuck your fingers," she reminded. Everyone felt proud of careful hands.
A giant glass bowl overflows with greens at the center of the dining table. Emma gently tosses the salad with oversized tongs as nearby friends freeze mid-dance under cheerful ceiling lights.
A giant bowl waited. Emma poured greens inside. "Toss, toss, gentle toss," she sang. Friends lifted tongs and danced. The salad fluffed like a happy pillow.
Beside a row of small dressing jars on the kitchen counter, Emma holds one labeled “Lemony” toward her friends. They sample tiny drizzles under clear afternoon light.
Little jars stood ready. "This one is lemony," Emma explained. "Try a tiny drizzle." Friends tasted and nodded. "Tangy is my favorite!" someone squealed, and smiles spread like sunshine.
At the brightly lit table, Emma laughs while arranging olives and carrot curves on a plate to form a smiling face. Nearby, friends craft their own veggie portraits amid scattered colorful produce.
Emma started a salad art game. "Make a veggie rainbow face!" she said. Friends shaped eyes with olives. Carrot smiles curled wide. Laughter bubbled as plates turned into funny portraits.
Evening glow fills the dining room as friends circle a gleaming salad bowl, singing. Emma, eyes closed and hands clasped, makes a wish while paper confetti bursts overhead.
They sang "Happy Birthday" around the salad. Emma closed her eyes. "I wish for healthy fun," she said. Friends cheered and clapped. Confetti popped, and the salad shone like a treasure.
Under gentle kitchen light, Emma places a small jar of salad into a friend's hands beside a spotless counter. They share a warm hug, green decorations still twinkling in the background.
Emma packed little jars for everyone. "Salad to-go!" she laughed. Friends hugged her goodbye. The kitchen sparkled clean and green. "Healthy parties are awesome," Emma said, and her heart felt bright.
--:--
--:--
0/12