A ChriStMaS TreE fOr ThReE

A Christmas Tree For Three 

by Tatum Merrill

written for sprouts Cole &Ethan

____________ 

The hunt was on,

to find a tree,

one to be

the tree for three.

A 'noble' fir showed up the rest,

'we three' had found the tree,

the best.

Tradition called for mom

to trim, 

to prune, to groom, 

and make us

grin.

Our music tunes

we danced about,

the Christmas spirit

left no doubt, 

 Our tree would soon 

be glam adorn,

with lights,

and magic, 

and trinkets 

forlorn.

 Our favorite decor 

so long packed away...

A snow globe,

a reindeer, 

 a bike,

 and toy sleigh, 

Visions of Santa,

soon came to mind..

boxes, presents,

and gestures of kind.

So much magic

for a tree to unlock.

Is Christmas more 

than a toy-filled

sock?

Dreams of eight 

reindeer,

and the man 

who wears red,

quickly changed pace,

as I thought in my head.

The story oft told, 

during the holiday 

season, 

made me ponder the tree,

it's message, 

and reason.

 The star atop the tree

lit up the sky,

shone brightly 

back then,

for The Lord, 

Prince,

One High.

 It lit up a path

where the babe Jesus lay,

born in a stable, 

a manger with hay.

Gifts, treasures, and love unfold, 

were brought to the babe, 

they even brought gold.

The gift he gave back was

life to man-kind.

No greater a gift could 

any man find.

 

So why the tree 

in the dead of the night?

...to represent life,

new birth, gift, 

and light?

  Yes, my heart said,

this was the reason,

for Christmas,

gift-giving,

the tree, 

and the season.

Christmas is more than just

Santa and toys.

It's the cause

of our 

happiness,

and all 

of our

joys.

 

I stood back from the

tree,

and stood with some

poise,

 

it needed respect,

we quieted the

noise.

 How lovely our tree 

made my heart simply say,

this is a message

we should give away.

In our actions, 

our thoughts, 

and even our deeds, 

we should pay attention

to others needs.

Whenever a gleaming 

tree 

I walk by,

I'll give the true 

meaning

of Christmas

a try.

Who knew

the message of 

The Christmas 

Tree, 

would give new 

meaning

of Christmas for 

me.

Merry Christmas!

FiNgeRprInTs

sometimes you get discouraged

because i am so small

and always leave my fingerprints

on furniture and walls.

(e)

 but every day i'm growing-

i'll be grown up soon someday

and all those tiny hand-prints

will surely fade away.

(ko)

so here's a tiny hand-print

just so you can recall

exactly how my fingers looked

when i was very small.

 

(ko)

(e)

TrIcK oR tReAT, sMelL mY fEeT...

trick or treat,

smell my feet,

give me something 

good to eat...

 my 'skeleton' and 

little 'mummy'

doorbell rants...

halloween chants..

dR. LoTioN & mAsSagE mAsTer

dinner date and 

movie night just we three,

 

 gave sprouts ideas to 

spoil me.

"momma lay down, 

put up your feet,

your turn, relax,

this time we treat."

 my young massage master 

and dr. lotion 

rolled up their sleeves

and worked a potion.

new soft skin

and smile on face,

gave these sprouts

team points of first place.

LoSt BuM-sNuGgLeS

e was sick today.

usual mornings he crawls in my bed 

 and wakes me up 

with a 'bum-snuggle'.

last 3 days my 'bum-snuggles'

have turned into nose wipes and 

ouchie tummies.

 

reminders of my sweet boy

 on 'bum-snuggle' days.

GhoSt Of E

sLeEpLeSs sTilL ...

why can't i sleep like this?

 

past few weeks have been very

difficult to sleep.

my eyes are heavy and i know 

i'm tired...my mind is wrestless

and full.

shut off mind!

i need beauty rest!!

posting part 16 tomorrow or monday,

needed to rest from thinking 

of time that is gone.

the sprouts have been full of questions 

and supposed solutions...

"mom...do we have a babysitter this weekend?"

"no"

"if you don't get a babysitter how will

you ever get a date?" :/

"mom...when i go to daddy's house i'm going to find his

'marry card' (temple recommend) and bring it home to give to you".

"that isn't how it works" :/

"mom...when i grow up i will look for valerie

(ko's gf, she moved far away with no forwarding information) 

and if i can't find her i won't

get another girlfriend and never 

get married."

"really? you won't want to try and like 

other girls?" :/

"no one will ever be as pretty as valerie".

"like...momma, i like u a lil bit...."

(eef's new way of being funny

as he's giving me the look of 

'is she buying this?')

:/

"like...i have to sleep in ur room 

cuz the spikeyman (woolverine which 

he has not seen) (?) is in

my room"

:/

"like...how many more

minutes til howoween"

minutes? :/

AcDc DaNcE PaRtaY

sprout two loves to dance.

this was not coreographed, 

nor rehersed.

this baby of mine has 

 spontaneity, and fun

every day, 

demonstrated in 

this impromtu 

dance.