Skip to main content

Advent Calender - Day Two

Snow lay thick on the ground, the whole town caught unawares by the sudden early snowfall. It was the beginning of December and it didn't usually snow until January. School was out early and Beth was determined to make the most of it. Mummy didn't pick her up anymore as she was a big girl now and she walked with Jack, her older brother. He was eleven and that was practically grown up.

They made giant steps in the snow, then pixie steps. They tossed snowballls and then they ran fast blowing clouds of steam like trains do in Grandad's picture books, cheeks red and glowing, her eyes bright and sparkling.

Jack climbed onto the front gate and jumped landing feet first like a cat. “Come on Beth,” he called.

Beth slowly climbed the gate and jumped. She landed flat on her back to the sound of her brother’s laughter. Winded she lay there for a moment. Then she poked her tongue at him and made snow angels. Jumping up she ran laughing and breathless after Jack down the path. They ran up the front steps and banged on the door stamping the snow off their shoes.

Mummy opened the door. “Look it's snow people. That's funny. I was expecting Jack and Beth”

“School let out early cause of the snow,” Jack said. “I walked Beth home. She made snow angels.”

“And Jack jumped off the gate.”

“So did you.”

“You told me to. And anyway I didn't jump— I fell off.”

“That's enough. Into the kitchen now. I’ll make you something to warm yourselves up with.”

Both children ran into the kitchen and climbed up on the chairs by the table. “Ooooh biscuits,” Jack said taking one and giving his sister one.

“Yes. I started the Christmas baking this morning.”

“Does this mean the tree’s going up soon?”

“Not yet.” Mummy poured the milk into the pan to heat and hung their wet coats by the stove to dry. “Daddy will go and get it at the weekend.”

Beth watched, her eyes wide with excitement as her mother got out the chocolate buttons and the marshmallows. That could only mean one thing. “We having snowman soup?”

“Melted snowman,” Jack corrected.

Beth poked her tongue at him, watching her mother add the chocolate buttons and marshmallows. Mummy slid a cup in front of each child and paused.

“Where’s the candy canes?” Beth and Jack both chorused in unison.

Libby laughed and reached into the drawer and pulled out two. “Here.”

“Yay!” Beth yelled happily. She took the candy cane and dipped it into the hot chocolate then sucked it vigorously. “Yummy.”

Mummy watched them. “The rest of the candy canes are to be hung on the tree,” she said.

Beth shot Jack a knowing glance. At least half of them would end up in snowman soup before the tree was even up.

Comments

Donna B said…
Lovely story. Sounds like a scene any child would love! Cocoa with candy canes...yum!
Delia Latham said…
Another good one, Clare!
Clare Revell said…
Thank you :) My kids love snowman soup/melted snowman. That reminds me I have squirty cream in the fridge and candy canes on the counter....
Marianne Evans said…
Awww! Very cute - and I do have a fondness for the name "Beth" as my DD is named Beth. :-)

Popular posts from this blog

Phooey Kerflooey: Three Kids And A Puppy vs The Squirrel Of The Apocalypse by Kristen Joy Wilkes

Kristen says "Once upon a time, our family of three young boys welcomed a princess into our home. A furry princess, a princess who ended up weighing more than they did, was terrified of haybales and bags of chicken feed, and refused to drink out of anything but her own special mug. Our boys were charmed by their puppy princess and asked that I write a story based on her. It took me seven years, but finally I present to you  Phooey Kerflooey ! While our own boys delighted in Princess Leia Freyja’s scaredy-cat antics and princess ways, the boys in the story take a bit longer to appreciate Phooey’s gifts. However, I pray that you will enjoy their journey together as they battle the squirrel of the apocalypse and search for perfect peace amidst a storm of chaos. " And I loved this one. It's gone straight back into the TBR pile. A puppy will fix everything.  A boring new house?  Boring house + puppy = adventure!    An attacking squirrel?  Evil squirrel + puppy =...

The Time for Healing by Ramona K Cecil

Winner - Best in Fiction Indiana Faith and Writing Contest 2014 Ginny Red Fawn McLain is determined to hold fast to her adoptive Shawnee culture despite her sudden reentry into her white birth family. She rejects their Christianity, fearing the tenets of the white man’s religion will prevent her from practicing as a Shawnee medicine woman. But her heart refuses to shun her uncle’s young friend and apprentice minister, Jeremiah Dunbar.   Jeremiah Dunbar has never doubted what he would do with his life—he’d follow in his father’s footsteps as a minister of the Gospel. But a mission trip west to the Native American tribes makes him begin to question his future plans. At the discovery of his fellow missionary’s long lost niece living among the Shawnee, Jeremiah is immediately smitten. But unless Ginny Red Fawn McLain joins Christ’s fold—something she adamantly resists—Jeremiah will have to choose between the woman he loves and the work God has called him to do.    G...

Phooey Kerflooey vs The Battle Squirrel by Kristen Joy Wilks

  Phooey Kerflooey has finally found a home of her own. Too bad a raging squirrel found it first! Rasputin the squirrel spends his time stealing snacks, pooing on the counters, and biting tender noses. Phooey’s perfect home has become a perfect storm of chaos! Phooey will do anything for her boys. Almost step on the shiny floor. Mostly go potty outside. Bite a baby carrot in half. Maybe two carrots, or even three! The boys want Phooey to chase Rasputin and save the day, but it’s hard when so many scary things stand in her way. If only Phooey had her pink dolly to boost her bravery. Can Phooey find her courage and chase that bad squirrel out of their lives forever? Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after that. For sure by next week. Phooey will be very brave . . . someday. Theme verse: Isaiah 32:18--My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. My review:  Phooey is back in this wonderful story of the puppy v the battle squirrel. Havi...