Twas the Night Before Christmas

this is for you mom:

and all thru grandma's house,

every grandchild was stirring, 

we didn't need a mouse

the table was set with china & much care,

in hopes that the meads, weenigs, rotheys & ridds soon would be there.

the shrimp was a hit, it was broiled this year instead

& the cider was poured some gold and some red;

and hank in his elf suit & my girls in my lap,

matt tried to steal a traditional cat-nap,

when after the dinner their arose such a clatter,

we all started laughing when we saw what was the matter.

the gift exchange revealed a gift that cost no cash,

some big brown underwear...a kind of re-hash.

the panties on the butt of the lucky fellow,

gave the lustre of fun and some hearty bellows;

when papa revealed nativity time was near,

we gathered the children and kicked it into gear,

with a stone-faced little mary, jane was this year's pick,

and two white angels, good job mom, nice trick.

more rapid than eagles the wise-men they came,

and papa read from the Bible, and called each child by (stage) name:

"now bean brothers!  now, hailey!  now, walter-burger! and then some!

on izzy! on fred! on ornery and squeak...hun!

to the end of the story!  to the back of the wall!

now stand still and smile so we can get a picture of you all!"

as children were changed from costume to new jammies

they listened for sleigh bells ringing in the sky,

then into the gift-room the coursers they flew,

with surprises for each child, and us parents too.

grace got a new camera, frelly got a recorder (oof),

and the babies got tool benches to fix the playhouse roof.

as i turned my head and looked all around,

i saw joy & excitement & heard beautiful sounds.

see christmas at our house is definitely a hoot.

and grandma goes overboard and gives lots of loot:

and every year papa complains just a tad, 

but we all know deep-down he thinks it isn't all that bad.

the fires, the ornaments, the garland, all merry!

there is something magical about christmas eve, we all can agree!

for this was the night that the shepherds sang low,

and mans greatest gift was received, it didn't need a bow;

the circle of love is symbolized by a wreath,

and the star shone bright, baby Jesus underneath.

He had a perfect face, and a sweet little belly

and his mother loved him like i love my frelly.

we try to remember Him, not just santa & his elf-

and we rejoice and sing carols (i feel the spirit myself);

the night starts to wind down and the kids watch shrek the halls in bed,

while the adults say their goodbyes and the next few hours we dread.

when the children get home they all get to work,

leaving cookies, a carrot & diet-coke (a gardner-perk),

and starry eyed all our children will scrunch up their nose,

as we send them up the stairs their cheeks flushed rose.

and maybe if we listen close we can all hear santa whistle

as he flies quickly around, like the down of a thistle,

and till next year we will try to keep Christ in our sight,

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and to all a good-night!

p.s. thanks for the magic & the memories, mr. moore