I can barely contain my excitement because IT’S HERE!!!
I look forward to these contests so much, because everyone who enters is so creative and writes such terrific stories that it’s like Christmas morning – or maybe like each new day of Hanukkah – clicking over to new entries as they go up, full of anticipation for another entertaining read! I literally cannot wait! (It occurs to me that I sound like a five year old :))
For those who are just arriving on the scene and might want to take a crack at it, here are the rules:
So! With prizes like that on offer are you…
…Ready, set, GO!
Here is my pathetic and clearly hurriedly composed sample 🙂 It requires that you sing it to the tune, and even then there are a couple places where I may have taken some liberties with the meter 🙂 The good thing is, I’m sure everyone else’s is way better than this, so you can all take comfort in knowing that and feel brave about posting your entries! 🙂
Flying through the air in a sleigh pulled by eight deer
Santa and his elves were filled with Christmas cheer
When suddenly the sleigh gave an unexpected pitch
“Look out!” warned Comet from the front, “we’re heading for that ditch!”
OH….
Lying in the snow, presents scattered everywhere
The reindeer tangled up, the sleigh needing repair,
Santa’s Right-Hand Elf said, “This will never do!
We’re only halfway ’round the world and it’s quarter to two!”
OH…
Cleaning up the mess, Santa said “I’ve got a plan!
If our sleigh won’t fly, we’ll use this gift for Dan.
Help me load the pack. Everybody climb on quick!”
Soon they were bouncing on their way aboard a pogo stick!
OH…
Hopping through the snow, they got to France’s shore
But then old Santa gasped, “I can’t jump any more!
Let’s find a better way. There’ve got to be a few.”
His Right-Hand Elf said, “How ’bout this? A bicycle-built-for-two!”
OH…
Cycling through the drifts, they reached Saskatchewan
Then Santa said, “That’s it. I simply can’t go on.
What else is in the pack? We need a better choice.”
They took a look and settled on the gift for Jen and Joyce.
OH…
Rowing through the snow, in a fiberglass canoe
Their arms soon tired out. They switched to something new.
But traveling by kite, it’s very hard to steer!
When heading for the USA they landed in Zaire.
Flailing ‘cross the ice in a plastic wading pool…
Sailing o’er the plains in a LEGO pirate ship…
Riding through the hills on a wooden rocking horse…
Santa sighed. “I miss my sleigh. There’s got to be a better way!”
They reached the final stop at three minutes ’til dawn
“We made it!” Santa said, with a gigantic yawn.
Just then the sleigh caught up, hitched to the flying eight.
Comet said, “I fixed the sleigh. Why didn’t you just wait?”
OH!
Jingle bells
Santa’s swell
He will find a way
To get the toys to girls and boys
In time for Christmas Day!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Please remember to check the comments for entries! There are stories there from Linda, Yvonne, Jill, Marci, RJ, and 2 different entries from Bara (also one from Deborah, but hers is on the link list now)!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Oh man, that will be hard to top, Susanna. What a great story! Please tell me that 2013 will be the year that you do a poetry video for NWR. It's all I want for Christmas! 🙂
Okay…finally I got the right day for the contest…sure hope my link works this time but if not…..my entry is on Youngish….thanks for yet another great contest Susanna.
You could win this thing. *wink* Too bad you can't enter. I'll try to get on mine. Sooner than later. (((hugs)))
Though. I repeat words in my shell of a story too. My words are what a sight. Great minds??
Ditto what Renee said . . . great story, Susanna.
After reading your story, I hesitate to post a link to mine. Yours is DARLING, Susanna. 😀
POSTED FOR LINDA at http://www.lindaboyden.com
In A Daddy Open Buggy
By Linda Boyden (192 words)
Zipping through the mall
in a Daddy open buggy;
weaving in and out,
tickle goes my tummy!
“More, Daddy, more!”
I squeal with pure delight,
till we take a turn and
Pink Teddy falls from sight!
“No, no go! No, no go!”
I yell hard and harder.
Daddy stops the buggy but
just to check my diaper.
“No, no, no! No, no, no!”
I wiggle, twist and holler;
still he doesn’t understand
Pink Teddy is all-goner!
Daddy moves us next
to Santa’s big long line.
“No, no, no, no, NO!”
Pink Teddy’s far behind!
Finally we’re waiting
next to Santa’s chair.
“Ho, ho, ho!” he booms and
I dash away from there.
Santa jumps.
Daddy runs.
Mommas turn and sigh.
Around the chair, I crawl and bawl
till Daddy holds me high.
He whispers soft and low,
“It will be alright.”
I sob and suck my thumb.
Pink Teddy’s not in sight.
A Momma comes to us.
Daddy turns around.
“Glad you’re here, no more tears,
I found this on the ground!”
Teddy’s back!
Daddy thanks.
I unplug my thumb.
Pink Teddy and me,
we cuddle and squeeze
on a Happy Christmas Eve!
You are far too kind, Nancy! 🙂 I can't WAIT to read yours!!!
Silly! Mine is just for fun 🙂 Can't wait to read yours!!!
Heh? You lost me on that one, pal!
Ooh! YAY! I can't wait to read it! Be right over 🙂
ACK! I'm afraid of video! But I hope you'll write a little something for the contest 🙂
I guess I'll dust off my notebook and give this a shot. Reading the other entries is a holiday hootenanny.
Well, I happen to think that your “pathetic” sample is fantastic! But I'll do my best top it 😉 Fun contest, off to write!
Oh Linda, getting the toddler's perspective on holiday hijinks made for an absolutely delightful read. LOVE that you used the all too familiar toddler line, “No, no No!” I'm so glad Pink Teddy was found. Wonderful, Linda.
Susanna, you've got a fantastic story. I love it! Riding on a Lego pirate ship? So much fun! I know my boys would enjoy this one.
Keep calm and carry on…in the face of the Connecticut school tragedy that is what we must do. I just posted my link…and will be back later tonight after work to read the entries.
Susanna…I LOVE yours…so funny…I should show you the first one I had done…all about going from one vehicle to another because they kept meeting others who needed a ride and there wasn't enough room.
Susanna, I love it, love it, love it! There's mystery, adventure, intrigue! I kept thinking, “What will Santa do next?” Your story is quite intimidating. However, it is so much fun to read it is even more energizing and a strong source of motivation. I”m so excited about the upcoming entries to your Pretty Much World Famous 2nd Annual Holiday Contest! I love coming to your parties! They're the best!
POSTED FOR TRACY at http://www.tracycampbell.net/blog
You are way too hard on yourself. I loved your Santa story and I smiled all the way through. Bravo! Cheers! Merry Christmas! Ho ho ho.
And you are far too kind, Tracy, but thank you 🙂
Oh, please do, Jim! I so enjoyed your last contest entry!!!
Thank you so much, Maria – you're very kind! And I'm thrilled that you want to enter! I will look forward to your story with great anticipation! 🙂
Well, I'm a picture book writer, Romelle – in my heart I think in pictures! And the idea of Santa with a huge pack and a couple of elves trying to pogo-stick through the snow, or sail a LEGO pirate ship which – if you've built with LEGO you know how easily it comes apart – makes me laugh. I realize I'm easily amused 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words. I HOPEHOPEHOPE you're going to write an entry!!! (And remember – it doesn't have to rhyme unless you want it to.)
That tragedy is so heartbreaking that it's too much to bear thinking about. I'm hoping a little light-hearted distraction will give us a moment's respite from feeling sad :(As for the story, apparently great minds think alike, Vivian! 🙂 I can't wait to read yours! I think I saw the title and I already love it 🙂
Aw, you're so nice Pam!!! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, and I really and truly wish you would submit one – you write so well! 🙂
Linda your kid's POV is precious and hilarious – very clever!
Susanna, I really feel yours should be entered in the competition as well, it's only fair, and it's brilliant!
How fun! Thank you for having this contest.
I love your story – very funny! I like the LEGO reference! 😉
Cute! I like the POV! 😀
I love yours, Susannah! It's terrific!
Could you delete my husband's entry, please? I accidentally entered his, which he never intended as a real entry. (It's kind of gory and not really a kids or a happy song.)
Very cute!
You're far too kind, Joanna 🙂 And it certainly wouldn't be fair to enter my own competition! I think that's what's known as a conflict of interest since I am the judge 🙂 I only post a sample for fun, but I'm very glad if you enjoyed it 🙂
You're welcome, Cheryl! Thanks so much for entering! I can't wait to read your entry (although I can't right this second since I'm not supposed to be working right now :))
Thanks, Erik! I'm so glad you like it. (And you know, when I mentioned that LEGO I thought of you :))
Thanks, Becky, I'm glad you like it! I can't wait to read yours! (And yes, I'll take the other one off :))
Love your worldly travel by boat, bike, and hopping. Such a fun poem.
What a fun contest! I'm having trouble with the blog link thing, so I'm going to try to cut and paste my entry here:
Garbage Truck, Garbage Truck
By
Deborah Holt Williams
Trashing through the snow, in a noisy garbage truck,
The bins are hard to empty, with boxes getting
stuck.
Crumpled wrapping paper, chunks of Styrofoam,
Packing peanuts everywhere are blown from home to
home.
Oh,
garbage truck! Garbage truck! After
Christmas trash.
Load it
in the garbage truck and watch it mash and smash.
Garbage
truck! Garbage truck! Haul it all away.
What
looked so festive yesterday is now J-U-N-K.
Dried-up wreaths with bows, Lights that didn’t
light,
Toys already broken, clothes that got too tight.
The garbage man is tired. He’s handled lots of stuff.
He wishes folks could see that they already have
enough.
Oh,
garbage truck! Garbage truck! After
Christmas trash.
Load
it in the garbage truck and watch it mash and smash.
Garbage truck! Garbage truck!
Haul it all away.
What
looked so festive yesterday is now J-U-N-K.
The garbage man goes home, and hugs his kids and
wife.
They eat and read together, a calm, uncluttered
life.
He’s happy with his job, but wishes people knew
That things don’t bring you happiness, but times
together do.
Oh,
garbage truck! Garbage truck! After
Christmas trash.
Load
it in the garbage truck and watch it mash and smash.
Garbage truck! Garbage truck!
Watch it blend and mix.
So
much turns to garbage on December 26.
Great job, Deborah! Clever story, and you really nailed the meter. LOVE the “J-U-N-K”!
Deborah, this is delightful and a POV not often considered. Plus kids are fascinated by garbage trucks, their power and roaring machinery. FUN!
Yes, Susanna, yours is soo adorably clever! Love how the team thinks outside the box…er,sleigh!
Thanks, Becky!
with a herd of grandkids, I could see this little character very well! Thanks!
Thanks, dear Joanna, I had fun with it!
Thanks, Pamela, for these kind words. My oldest daughter had Pink Teddy and I left it at a laudromat when she was 2. Pink was never found. I was heartsick; she latched onto Walter Bear without missing a beat! She still has Walter (and she's 39!!), but I wanted a story with a happier ending for Pink.
Thanks, Linda, I'm glad you liked it 🙂
Linda Boyden (unregistered) wrote, in response to Becky Fyfe:
Yes, Susanna, yours is soo adorably clever! Love how the team thinks outside the box…er,sleigh!
Link to comment
IP address: 75.140.127.195
Fun contest! I think I will pass, as I already adapted “Jingle bells” and this is too much like work! 🙂 Susanna, your entry is so inventive and funny, and I can just imagine illustrations!
Excellent job, Deborah!
Love it! 😀
POSTED FOR DIANE at http://thepatientdreamer.com
Woohoo! I made the linky work! Yay!…lol. Loved your post Susanna and what wonderful entries!