T'was

the day before Christmas,

when all through the house
Every creature was stirring,

even the mouse.

Okay, so she's a guinea pig!

The stockings were finally packed

in the suit cases with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas

would remember that we wouldn't be there.

The children got nestled

all snug in the van,

While visions of traffic

through my head ran.

And Daddy in his car,

packed to the top

Would follow us up to Meme's

without a stop!

Then out on the lawn

there arose such a clatter,

So I sprang from house

to see what was the matter.

Away to the driveway

I flew like a flash,

To find 3 little pooches

making a dash!

When what to my wondering ears did I hear,
But my husband saying

"let them go with us my dear."

So into the car the dogs

went without debate,

And off we drove,

headed up state.

More rapid than reindeer

on the back roads we came

And when my parents saw us,

they hollered and shouted

and called us by name:

"It's Parker! It's Claire!

And who is that there?

It's Noah! It's Isabel!

Did the journey go well?

Come here! Come here!

Come here you four!

Come up to the porch.

Come in the front door!"

We were dressed

for the party

in our very best

party clothes.

A bunch of presents

we had flung on our roof rack.

And there in the trunk

was another big stack!

My Dad's eyes-how they twinkled!
Parker's dimples, how merry!

My Mom's cheeks were like roses

and Isabel's lips red like a cherry!

We spoke not a word,

but went straight to work,

And unloaded the gifts and stockings

then turned with a jerk.

This poem has to be over

before I go berzerk!

It was fun but

now it's done!

I gotta get on the road for real, people!