Merry Christmas! I had a little help with writing our Christmas card this year. Here’s my family’s take on the classic “Night Before Christmas.” From our house to yours!

(D = Dariusz, 3 years, M = Mateusz, 6 months, A = Akuku, puppy)

D: ‘Twas a typical weeknight at quarter to ten.
Not a child was sleeping—we were at it again.

D: I was awake cause I had a bad dream.
M: And I was so hungry I started to scream.

D: Mama and Tata arose with a clatter.
It’s hard to tell which parent was madder.

M: I could tell from her face Mama was quite annoyed.
She said “What to do with these difficult boys?”

D: Tata exclaimed, “Get back in your bed.”
“But Tata, I can’t find my tickle*,” I said.
<span “font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;=”” color:red”=””>*small blanket

M: I tried to explain that my tummy was gassy.
But Mama was harsh. All I got was my paci.

A: Hey wait—just one sec! Don’t forget about me!
Can someone please let me outside to go pee?

A: I know you’re all busy, and I’m just a pup.
But if not for your ruckus, I wouldn’t be up.

D: Akuku, are you having bad dreams now, too?
Is that why you nibbled a hole in my shoe?

D: We all are quite stubborn, but tiredness won.
M: And I didn’t try again until quarter to one!

D: A few short hours later, the sun shone its light.
Hooray for another long restless night!

M: I woke up Mama, who brought me to bed.
D: And I ran upstairs to sit on Tata’s head.

D: They both groaned and moaned, as if we were a struggle.
But they kissed us and we had a really good snuggle.

D: We may be a handful, as they will contend.
But despite our bad habits, we’re loved in the end.

M: Despite all my puking and waking at night,
D: Despite all my tantrums and wanting to fight,

A: Despite eating shoes and refusing to stay,
ALL: We know <span “font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:=”” arial;color:green”=””>that we’re <span “font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:=”” arial;color:#3366ff”=””>worth it, and you’ll <span “font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:=”” arial;color:green”=””>miss this someday. 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hoping that you’ll enjoy the little moments—both the gratifying and the challenging—that make life complete.

Lots of love,
<span “font-size:13.0pt;=”” mso-bidi-font-family:arial”=””>Darek, Nicole, Dariusz, Mateusz and Akuku