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 
YAY! Can't wait to read yours Diane! I'm so excited you entered! 🙂
I know you have, Iza, and your version is brilliant – one of my favorites of your books with the tour around the world. I had fun imagining the illustrations for my sample as I wrote – I wish I could draw 🙂
I love that part too, Renee!
Renee LaTulippe wrote, in response to Deborah Holt Williams:
Great job, Deborah! Clever story, and you really nailed the meter. LOVE the “J-U-N-K”!
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I fixed your link, Deborah 🙂 And you already know, since I commented on your blog, that I love your entry – so clever, original, and creative, and such a fun twist! Thanks so much for entering! 🙂
Thanks, Pat! 🙂 Loved your entry too 🙂
Oh how that would be the icing on the cake! To lose a lovey amid the mall's hustle and bustle and to have that be the reason for a tantrum at Santa's. loved it!
I love it, Deborah! So imaginative! Way to go! 🙂
OK, I submitted mine. I know it's not cheery but I don't feel very cheery anyway what with all the horror in Connecticut. I also know I won't win any prizes with my entry but it was fun writing it. I actually finished it yesterday and found time today to post it.
Thanks so much, Susanna, for hosting this fun contest! I am having such fun reading the other entries. Which yes, are much more cheery than mine. 🙂
You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Clar! There are many things to like about your story! It's not especially cheery – that true 🙂 – but it's a very original and creative idea. Thanks for entering in spite of everything. I know. It's hard to think about anything but all those poor children and their families. But if we can give people a few moments respite with our stories, then maybe we are helping a little.
Hi Everyone. Here is something silly.
Jingle Sheep
(312 words)
by Marci Henry
Tiptoeing through the fog
On teeny tiny feet,
Six hundred wooly sheep
Were sneaking down the street.
Poor Santa had the flu.
His temperature was high.
His doctor told him, “Stay in bed
And stay out of the sky.”
OH
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Come to Santa’s aid
Wearing beards and Santa hats
And antlers that they made.
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Glad to help St. Nick
Spreading joy and happiness
With a festive, merry kick.
The sheep tried very hard
To visit every child.
They tried to keep it quiet
But soon got very wild.
The children did not dream
Of sugarplums and toys.
They peeked out of their bedroom doors
To wonder at the noise.
OH
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Come to Santa’s aid
Wearing beards and Santa hats
And antlers that they made
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Glad to help St. Nick
Spreading joy and happiness
With a festive, merry kick.
At first the children stared
And some began to cry.
They then began to giggle
And not be quite so shy.
The sheep shared all their hats
And danced around the tree.
The children shared their gingerbread
With shouts of happy glee.
OH
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Come to Santa’s aid
Wearing beards and Santa hats
And antlers that they made
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Glad to help St. Nick
Spreading joy and happiness
With a festive, merry kick.
The sun began to rise.
The party had been grand.
The gifts had been delivered,
Though not like Santa planned.
He thanked them just the same,
The dear sweet, sneaky sheep.
He asked them what they wanted.
They asked for sixty jeeps.
OH
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Come to Santa’s aid
Wearing beards and Santa hats
And antlers that they made
Wooly sheep, sneaky sheep
Glad to help St. Nick
Spreading joy and happiness
With a festive, merry kick.
**Super fun contest, Suzanna. Thanks.
This is delightful, Marci! So happy and silly and fun, very kid-friendly and very original and creative! I'm so glad you found the contest and entered! Excellent job 🙂
I'm so enjoying reading all the entries, including the ones in the comments. Mine will be posted on Wednesday, because I already had a very special (to me) post planned for Monday.
I know, aren't they fun???!!! And I'm SO excited that you have an entry planned!!! Can't WAIT to read it! 🙂
Susanna,
I really enjoyed your Christmas Eve Travel Trouble. Very clever and cute! Loved the ending. Ha Ha!
Thanks, Cheryl 🙂
Enjoyed your story, Susanna! It made me laugh because one of my boys asked me today which country Santa starts with on Christmas Eve. Guess it is somewhere near France! 🙂
What a fun story! Love the sheep theme!
I've just finished writing mine and scheduling it to post for Wednesday (I'll come back and add the link that day). I had so much fun writing it!
Given his somewhat erratic course in this story, it could be pretty much anywhere 🙂 Glad you liked it 🙂 Are you entering? (she asked hopefully :))
What an original idea! I love it!
I'm all a-twitter! How will I wait until Wednesday? 🙂
Beth Stilborn (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
I've just finished writing mine and scheduling it to post for Wednesday (I'll come back and add the link that day). I had so much fun writing it!
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OK, I posted my entry on my blog and in the linky. Only you can get me to do these things, Susanna! 🙂
SQUEEE!!! Can't wait to read it! I'm coming over RIGHT NOW!
My link doesn't seem to be showing up in the list….does it take a while?
It's up! It works! I just used it. Maybe you need to refresh your browser?
Renee LaTulippe wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
My link doesn't seem to be showing up in the list….does it take a while?
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What a wonderful message, Deborah!
This is so sweet…it reminds me of Knufflebunny…love the lost teddy theme…great job!!!!
What fun! I love the sneaky sheep who wear beards and Santa hats and antlers so they can help Santa. 🙂
I can picture the illustrations! How fun! (And I love that they ask for jeeps. Your story has the same quirky originality of Sheep in a Jeep.)
Hello everyone,
I am so happy I came across this blog. I am admiring everyone's lovely poetry, something I am still struggling with. Instead, here is a quirky, light hearted story for the little ones in our lives.
Run-away Bumper Car
(348 words)
Speeding through the fair in a run-away bumper car.
“Ho, ho, hold it!”
Racing past Christmas stalls
goes the run-away bumper car.
“Stop!”
Hurtling through the crowds.
“Watch out, run-away bumper car!”
Elfie is trapped in the run-away bumper car.
It looked so pretty in red and green.
The same colours as her beautiful new shoes.
The bumper car reminded her of Santa’s sleigh.
She pictured reindeer pulling the car with Rudolph in
front.
“No,” said Mum, “Bumper cars are scary.”
But Elfie said: “Yes.”
“No,” said Dad, “Bumper cars are not for little girls.”
But Elfie said: “Yes, they are.”
She jumped in, put on the seat belt and pushed the pedal
down low.
Oh dear.
One of her new shoe straps stuck to the pedal and the
bumper car ran away.
Bouncing along in a run-away bumper car.
How does Elfie stop?
She screams, “Help.”
She yells, “Stop.”
Mum and Dad run behind, and someone else, a big man in a
red suit and a white beard.
‘Santa!’
They scream, “Stop.”
They yell, “Slow down.”
There is only one thing to do, say goodbye to a favorite
shoe.
The jumping castle is up ahead.
Elfie turns the wheel of the run-away bumper car.
She points it at the jumping castle.
She pulls her foot hard, she slips of her sock, and with
it her shoe.
Her shoe is unstuck, but the run-away bumper car is not
slowing down!
The jumping castle is right in front,
and then underneath.
BUMP.
Runway bumper car bumping up.
BUMP.
Runaway bumper car bumping down.
Flying through the air in a runaway bumper car.
Just like Santa.
And then it finally
STOPS.
Elfie’s tummy feels full of swirling candy canes.
Santa reaches Elfie.
“That was great, Elfie!” Santa gives her a hug.
“I have the best idea for your Christmas present this
year,” he says twinkly eyed.
“Would you like to be my driver on Christmas Eve?”
Elfie looks at her feet. How do you say ‘No,’ to Santa?
Then she smiles.
“Actually, Santa, I would love some new shoes instead.”
So sweet. Still trying to get my little ones to not be scared of Santa, might have to invest in a little Pink Teddy, cause their favorite cuddlies don't seem to help 😉
Hi Yvonne! Welcome! I'm so glad you found our little corner of the blogosphere 🙂 What a delightful, fun, original story! I love the way the language at the beginning actually mimics the bump-and-go motion of a bumper car! And I loved that you surprised me with the ending – I thought driving with Santa was a great idea and was surprised when Elfie had her own plan and stuck to it – good for her! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun! 🙂
Oh, yes! Of course you are! 🙂
Yvonne, your surprise ending is brilliant! I love all the action and movement in this story and the spunky protagonist, Elfie!
Yvonne, this is exciting and action-packed with a great ending!
Marci, absolutely adorable images and cleverly done!
Well today is not my day, I put my old name on my last post! I better go back to bed.
What an adventure for Elfie, her parents, Santa and your readers! I love the sweet ending. Thanks for sharing, Yvonne.
No worries, but let me make sure I've got it right before I switch it – when I follow the link to your blog the title is “The Land Of No Snow” which is what is on the link list. You want “The Land Of Now Snow”? Or “The Land Of Know Snow”? Let me know 🙂 I'm so excited you entered. Going right back over to read you story! 🙂
🙂 you are funny 🙂 have a cup of coffee/tea 🙂
Okay, after all my mishaps, I can take a deep breath and say, I posted my entry on my blog and submitted my link.
I admire people who can think outside the box. I never would have thought of wooly sheep, sneaky sheep for Christmas or to help Santa. Very clever and lots of fun Marci.
You have definitely captured the day/week after Christmas in a fun and delightful way. Who would have thunk garbage could be fun and delightful? But it works. Thanks for sharing.
Oh kids will love having this read to them. So much fun! Who would have thought of sheep being Santa's helpers? So good.
Enjoyed you green poem, Deborah. You're so right, time together really brings the most happiness.
Glad you found my entry! 🙂
I read your comment from my inbox and hadn't seen the updated link list 🙂
Jennifer Rumberger (unregistered) wrote, in response to Susanna Leonard Hill:
Glad you found my entry! 🙂
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Great stories so far, and so many great rhymers out there!
I know it, Lauri! Isn't this so much fun? 🙂
Hilarious! Loved it.