Twas The Night Before A Dyniewski/Reed Christmas, 2014

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the world
Not a creature was stirring, not a horse, donkey, canine or even a Stingy Turtle
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Collin, Caleb, Payton, Kaylie, Evan, Blake, Emma, Will, Lukas, Aiden,
Abigail and Tristan were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
Except for hungry little Caleb whose dreams aren't complete
Unless they start and end with a blueberry Pop-Tart treat.

And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and Poppa in his cap,
Correction, Poppa just put Aiden and Abigail down for their nap
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
Everyone sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.

Away to the window we flew like a flash,
Like Evan’s lightning quick car in a Pinewood Derby dash.
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
As swiftly as Emma or Kaylie swinging a softball bat,
His coursers flew steady as he grasped his red hat.

“Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer [not you, uncle Jordan] and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Like a perfect Payton horse jump with nary a fall!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, we heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As we drew in our heads and were turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

His outfit was festive, he really looked cool
Just like charmers Will and Lukas on the first day of school
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
But it couldn't compare to Blake’s bedroom with his massive LEGO stash!

His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
Quite content to have arrived, like baby Tristan, you know.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a round little belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And we laughed when we saw him, in spite of ourselves.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a shout,
Just like Collin coordinating another Minecraft bout.
But I heard him exclaim ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all…when at Burger King, save me some fries!”