Twas The Night Before Christmas

(Thanks mom for your creative insight. xoxo)

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house our “creatures” were stirring, being as quiet as a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

but mama and daddy swore they’d stuff them with coal

if they came back ONCE more—just to stare.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, (Yeah, right)

while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Mamma in her ‘kerchief,(I would never be caught dead in one of those things)

and dad in his cap (BASEBALL cap), Had finally settled down for a long winter’s nap. (I could sleep the whole year.)

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. (because anything is possible at our house...)

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

(I pulled up the blinds—my clothes stayed in tact…)

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow (what kind of sentence is that?)

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

(Actually it was the 800 strands of lights bought at the store, 40 strands on the trees, and on the house, even more!)

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear

But my sleepwalking daughters, instead of reindeer.

One was holding dear Santa, so lively and quick

but alas it was plastic, and a sad lookin’ St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles I hurriedly came

I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Come in Dashing, come Dancing or Prancing”, I say!
“Get on your Donner, your Blitzen! Make like a Comet or dearly you’ll pay!”

“Come to the porch! Walk into the hall!

Now dash away! Dash away! To your rooms, All!"

They all came inside like wild hurricanes fly

Then I met with an obstacle, as only 2 had flown by.

So out to the yard I frantically searched

I looked under the pines to see where #3 might perch.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard a grand sound…

my giggly little girl a treasure had found!

So walking inside, cautiously turning the nook,
It was then that I knew just where I should look.

As I slowly advanced down the hallway that night

I gasped a small sound at the startling sight!

Daughter 3 was leaning over baby boy’s bed,
holding markers and paints--scribbling all over his head.

His eyes-how they twinkled!

His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! (Crayola ‘Red Berry’)

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, with scotch tape--which was-- a big NO NO.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot

teddy bears and stuffed animals—the color of soot.

A brown marker she’d given him to eat and to chew

so now when he smiled, he slobbered-- brown goo.

A bundle of toys she had flung in his crib

And my boy as he drooled, could have used a good bib.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly young elf

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know— I had nothing to dread.

The paint and tape would come off soon enough

There was really no reason to be angry or gruff.

So guiding my daughter back down the hall

daddy made sure she did not have a fall.

We tucked her in, and kissed her goodnight

Then tiptoed out, thinking of our last hour’s fright.

We locked the front door and turned off the light

ready to play Santa--in the middle of the night.

We spoke not a word, but went straight to our work

filling the stockings - - Wait - - this is a perk!

Eating chocolate chip cookies—left out for ME…

I also need milk, (soy only, hee, hee…)
And laying his finger aside of his nose,

(we will not finish the rest of this rhyme- of my husband, picking his nose.)

We sprang to our bed as fast as can be
hoping for sleep--before the kids rose at three.
The morning will come, it will be all too quick
and the children will be playing with toys from St. Nick.


I lay there in bed, anticipation bright,
wishing
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"