'Twas the week before Christmas...

Santa!!!, a photo by BeliM on Flickr.

'Twas the week before Christmas

And all through the house all the creatures were scurrying - yes, even the spouse

All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that some Twix bars soon would be there

 

The children were bundled and playing outside,

And newly bought presents had places to hide,

And gram with her hot tea and I with my frappe

Had just settled down for a long Winter's wrap.

 

When all of a sudden there came such a clatter

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter!

Away to the slider I flew like a flash

Bumped into the island and knocked down some cash!

 

The sun on the drifts of the new-fallen snows

Put a glare in my eye and a sneeze in my nose.

Then what to my tearing-up eye did appear

But my snow-coated kid and her snow-crusted peers.

 

With loud screechy voices so lively and quick

I had a brief urge to lurch out with a stick!

More rapid than eagles the kiddos they came,

And I whistled and shouted, addressed them by name -

 

Out Britney! Out Tanner! Out Molly and Billy!

Out Sarah, Out Conner, Out Darcy and Willy!

To the back yard you go - you can't stand in the hall.

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

 

You know how it goes, you work year after year

To make Christmas exciting and full of good cheer,

But the week before Christmas is a time when you're stressed,

And you might not feel patient or be at your best.

 

I will have to say that I felt a bit badly

To drive out the children and do it so gladly

I found myself dwelling on tasks to be done

Instead of on Christmas, on making it fun.

 

So Gran and I hid all our gifts and their wrapping

And we went to the slider and started a tapping.

The kids, still snow-covered, still playing out back

Called "Sure Mom, we'd love to come in for a snack!"

 

We handed out cookies, and brownies in bunches,

We plied them with junk food and spoiled all their lunches.

Their wet clothes all tumbled to dry in our dryer

And we camped out on pillows in front of the fire.

 

When snowsuits were dry we sent all the kids packing

With packets of cookies for later-day snacking.

We hugged every child as they headed outside,

And we noticed our holiday hearts op'ning wide.

 

When the wrapping was finished and chores were all done

And I peeked in the door at my small sleeping one,

I knew that I made Christmas merry alright -

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.