Life With Boys

Hello —

As I may or may not get my cards out this year, I thought I’d better cover my bases with an email greeting. Hope all is well. Danielle

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseEight-month-old Morgan was stirring, making sounds like a mouse (and sometimes a tiger);

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care (and heavy duty nails),In hopes that St. Nicholas (aka Ho Ho) soon would be there;

Three-year-old Tyler was nestled all snug in his bed (or on top of the dresser, in a laundry basket or on in a “nest” on the floor),

While visions of airplanes, telescopes and owls danced in his head (he’s really into owls, we’re not sure why);

And Matt in his pj’s, and I in my sweats (it’s really an attractive ensemble, especially when you add the funky socks),

Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap (or at least for an hour before Morgan wakes up AGAIN!),

When over the baby monitor there arose such a clatter,I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter (this time).

Away to the window I flew like a flash (flash might be stretching it in my sleep-deprived state-of-mind),

Tore open the curtains and threw up the blinds (this of course assumes I had the forethought to close them).

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow (slush might be more appropriate)Gave the lustre of mid-day to the leaves we never raked up down below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear (gotta get my glasses to be sure),But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer (now I know I’m hallucinating),

With a little old driver, so lively and quick (quick, is he chasing Morgan up the stairs too? It’s too soon for him to be climbing stairs),I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. (or Paul Senior from American Chopper)

More rapid than eagles his coursers (or is that curses) they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name (I’ve taken to doing that too – no Tyler, no Morgan, no Callie, no Fulda); “Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN! (why he forgot Callie and Fulda I’ don’t know – Matt would surely share them) To the top of the new playfort! to the top of my 30th birthday garden wall!Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly (there’s those neglected leaves again),When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky (and get stuck in the gutter to turn into a mushy bog we’ll have to ignore later),So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, (n. cours·er 2 A swift horse; a charger. – must be reindeer too)

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too (maybe they will scare away the unidentified critters in the attic).

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof (did I mention it is kinda weird to hear stuff on the roof) The prancing and pawing of each little hoof (at least that is what we will believe it is).

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around (and desperately trying not to trip over anyone or anything),

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound (where he promptly landed on the toys we haven’t yet put away).

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot (maybe it’s faux fur to be politically correct and fashionable too),

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot (glad I don’t have to do his laundry too – can’t keep up with our own);

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back (he must understand how I feel every time I leave the house),And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack (but at least he leaves things behind, I just accumulate more).

His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry (both Tyler and Morgan have dimples too – coincidence? I’m not saying a word)

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry (sure signs that he’s getting a cold, please don’t leave it, we’ve had our fill)!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow (Morgan does that too – reminds me of a cabbage patch kid – it makes me laugh),

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow (snow – don’t miss it, will visit it in Utah over the New Year);

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth (how do we PC that one?),

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath (wreath – guess we should get ours put up soon);

He had a broad face and a little round belly (empathize with the round little belly, but at least I have 2 beautiful boys to show for it),

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly (jelly – one of Tyler’s favorite dips for pickles, olives, taquitos — fingers) .

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf (jolly – that’s a word you don’t hear every day),

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself (seems I do so many things in spite of myself);

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head (never know what you’ll miss with your head turned – cat food eating, flying hot wheels),Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread (ah – he must know the secret of potty training);

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work (too bad it’s not cleaning my house),And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk (stockings first originated with St. Nicholas Day which is celebrated Dec 6),

And laying his finger aside of his nose (as long as it is aside, we have enough nose picking reminders),And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose (better not let Tyler see him, he’ll want to try it too – fhy, fhy);

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle (what would it be like to just give a whistle and be whisked away?),

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle (down – soft, bed, calling my name … ).But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight (no, no don’t leave),”HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!” (You hear that Morgan, GOOD NGHT, that means all night, please)

May your holiday season be filled with peace, joy and happiness. We send our love to you all – Danielle, Matt, Tyler and Morgan