'Twas the weekend before Christmas...

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, when all through the house

All the creatures were running, ruining my clean house.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Mom and Dad soon would be there.

The children were wrestling and jumping on beds,

While visions of candy danced in their heads;

And Mama was in a hurry and Daddy was driving,

wondering when they would all stop the whining and crying.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the laundry to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, and threw off the cat.

The neighbors flood light glaring so bright,

Gave the luster of midday to objects alright,

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a monster of a work truck, and the man I hold dear.

With the tall young driver so weary and stiff,

I knew in a moment it must be him

More rapid than eagles his courses they came,

And he whistled and shouted, and called us by name:

"Now Carrie! Now Cole! Now Carson and Camryn!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Don't dash away! Dash away! Don't dash away at all!"

He was dressed in work clothes from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with drywall and soot,

A bundle of laundry he flung on his back,

And he looked the weary traveler happy to be back.

His eyes, how they twinkled! His beard was so bushy!

His cheeks were unshaven and in need of a shower.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the smile on his face did nothing but grow.

He wasn't chubby or plump, just like his old self,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He sprang to his kids, and showered them with hugs,

And away they all flew like a bunch of little thugs,

But I heard them explain as they ran out of sight,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

We are all so excited to have Daddy home for 2 WHOLE weeks...

The Cook Family wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you all will be spending it with the ones that you love the most. I know we will.

Authors Note: Please ignore the few lines that do not rhyme, I tried :)