‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
My kids were still not asleep, I mean, why would they start now?
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After an hour of one more show, pleads and pottying, the kids finally went down.
So we tiptoed out of their room careful to not make a sound
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Then a pop of the cork of a much-deserved night cap,
I finally sat down in the living room to wrap
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I sent Daddy to get all the presents hid downstairs,
And after five trips I thought I heard him mumbling some swears.
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Next year, I will not go overboard, I thought,
As I found two more bags of things I forgot.
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The room was full of packages from many different kids’ stores.
And my back already ached from sitting on the floor.
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But I will fight through it, I must! Today is the deadline.
How do other parents get it done before now? Where do they find the time?
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From work, to shopping, to Christmas festivities,
I barely had the chance to get out my nativity.
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Oh, the stockings were hung at one time by the stairs.
But the baby pulled them down and there’s still a missing push pin somewhere.
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The pre-lit tree had been decorated with ornaments and, of course, more lights.
Because I swear those pre lit things never last more than a few nights.
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But it’s now or never time — I’ve waited until the last minute.
And no matter what, I just have to finish.
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Away I went wrapping — to Daddy, to Mommy, to Reagan, to May,
To GG, to MawMaw, to Brandy, to Bray.
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When all of a sudden down the hall I heard a creak,
And I immediately stopped as I saw a 2-year-old about to sneak a peek.
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Away to the couch I flew like a flash,
Snatched up a blanket and tried to covered our stash.
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With sleep in her eyes and a soft little whine,
She asked me to sleep with her just one more time.
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So back to the bedroom I hurried her along,
Because there was still so much to do before the dawn.
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I sang softly to her and rubbed her sweet face,
and truly tried to enjoy the moments in her embrace.
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But in the back of mind I knew how much I had left to do.
And prayed that just this one night she would actually sleep through.
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Then I glanced at her laying so peaceful and innocent,
and I forgot about all of my wrapping for a minute.
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Her tiny little nose, those beautiful eyelashes where her lids meet.
Those sweet little hands folded up by her cheek
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A baby no more, “practically a grown up” she’s told me,
Let’s slow down sweet child you’re not even 3
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But she is the reason — both her and her sister,
That I go through hoops to make it perfect each winter.
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I needed to step back, look around, and be thankful —
For not the gifts, but these sweet babies that I am ever so grateful.
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After a few more kisses I snuck out once again
And realized it was already a quarter past 10.
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History has taught me that was the first wake up but wouldn’t be the last.
If I was going to get this done, I’d have to move fast.
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I got to wrapping much quicker with less time to spare —
Really, they don’t care about the appearance — they want what’s in there.
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Another wake up, another escape,
More hiding, more wrapping and finally a break.
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It’s not perfect, but hey, it will have to do.
After all, it is already half past 2.
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Now to clean up and remove all the evidence that I actually did it all —
Which is really such a crock
But I guess that’s society’s call.
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A few quick bites of cookies, a swig of some milk,
And finally it was time for bed myself.
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As I crawled into bed after I turned out the light,
I thought Merry Chri- “Mom, can I sleep with you tonight?”
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This time it’s the 4-year-old, how could I say no?
So I moved closer to Daddy and off to dreamland we’d go.
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Ha! Or so I thought, then I heard two more little feet.
Climb on in, sweetie. After all, Santa really doesn’t sleep.
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