Uncle Joel's Big Project

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Luisito loved Tuesdays, because Tuesdays meant Uncle Joel came over to build block towers and race toy cars across the floor. But this Tuesday, Uncle Joel's laptop was open on the table, glowing with colorful shapes.

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'Uncle Joel, what are you making?' asked Luisito. 'I'm designing a giant poster for a big, big project,' said Joel. 'It has a deadline, which means it has to be finished very soon!' Luisito thought a deadline sounded like a scary monster.

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'Does that mean no block towers today?' asked Luisito, his lip wobbling just a little. Joel knelt down and gave him a gentle hug. 'Not today, buddy. But I still love doing towers with you more than almost anything.'

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Joel had an idea. He grabbed a crayon and drew a tiny spaceship on a sticky note. 'This little guy will sit on my computer and remind me of you while I work,' he said. Luisito giggled and drew a sticky note right back — a dinosaur wearing a cape.

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That night, Joel sat alone at his big office desk, working on colorful designs late into the evening. Right next to his keyboard sat Luisito's dinosaur sticky note, and every time Joel saw it, he smiled a little.

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Back home, Luisito put on his pajamas and climbed into bed. He looked out his window at the twinkling stars and wondered if Uncle Joel could see them too, way up in his office building.

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Long after Luisito had fallen asleep, Joel finally finished his big project. He tiptoed quietly into Luisito's room, careful not to make a sound, and tucked a little toy spaceship next to his pillow with a soft kiss on his forehead.

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The next morning, Luisito found the little spaceship and ran straight into Uncle Joel's arms for the biggest hug ever. 'I finished my big project,' Joel said, 'and now I'm all yours for block towers — as many as you want!'