A Letter From Santa Re: Peppermint Holly

Just thought I'd let you all hear what Santa told the kids in a letter he left Christmas Eve:

"Dearest Hardy Children,

I don't have a lot of time, as I have many children yet to visit. But I wanted to take a quick minute to thank you for the wonderful way you treated Peppermint Holly, while she was in your home.

She told me that you guys were really quite kind to her, especially Nate. She said you guys didn't lose your temper when she pulled some of the tricks she pulled (your parents even get kudos for that). Thank you for that.

Peppermint Holly's report was really good. She told me that you all had your bad days, but overall you were quite good. Well done. Tanis, she told me how you tried extra hard to help your mom. Shaylyn, she noticed that you did chores when asked without talking back. Lex, you tried to be more patient with your siblings. Nathaniel was nicer to his Mommy and Ailey went potty a few times in the toilet.

Because of this wonderful report, I brought all the gifts I had planned to bring you. I really hope you'll enjoy everything.

One last thing, I know that Christmas time is a lot of fun when it comes to me and the gifts I bring and this year, Peppermint Holly added a new sort of excitement. It's nice to have fun at this time of year and certainly our Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to be happy, but I can't stress enough how IMPORTANT it is to remember that this day is all about the birth of Jesus. Please, please, please remember that this day. Think about what gifts you can give to Jesus this coming year and remember that if you are doing the things our Heavenly Father and Jesus was us to do, then you'll always be on my good list.

I must go now, but have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Santa Claus

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly's Final Night

Holly was anxious to get going tonight. Last night she made sure she let our kids know what the season is really all about though:

"Well, my Hardy Children friends, I go back to the North Pole with Santa tonight.
I'm gonna miss you guys.
Hopefully, Santa will send me again next year.
I know we had a lot of fun these past few days, but I hope you'll remember the real reason for Christmas.
It's all about the day Jesus was born.
Santa hopes you remember that as well.
Santa might be a fun part of Christmas, but Jesus is the real reason.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!"

Thank you so much Holly for reiterating the things we try to teach our children. We enjoyed having you visit with us and I'm thankful you're not as wild as some of your counterparts I've heard about. I know that your presence helped our children be better behaved and they loved having you around. We hope Santa will send you again next year and we'll be anxiously awaiting your arrival. Hope your trip back home was great and that you are happy again being surrounded with your family, friends and of course, Santa.

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Twenty

Last night what Holly did just made me want to cry. I felt really bad for her:

I know, I know, the pictures aren't sad...but read her note - it really is kind of sad.

"As much fun as I've had visiting your family, I'm starting to miss Santa and my own family.
I found some pictures online to color, it makes me feel a little better.
I think I'll save these and give these to Santa when he comes on Christmas Eve."

I can only imagine what it feels like to be homesick. Holly has spent almost a month with us and that's a long time away considering most of her days are spent all around her family...Don't blame you at all Holly. Hope Santa enjoys your pictures.

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Nineteen

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear...

Last night's antics aren't for those with a weak stomach. Fair warning.

...At least she was nice enough to do it before I cleaned the toilets...

Poor, poor Holly. She really wasn't feeling well. Here's the note she managed to leave:

"I got the midnight snackie hungers last night.
So I took a look in your pantry and ate whatever I could find.
But now, I'm a little sick to my stomach.
I apologize for the puke in the toilet."

Oh Holly. Stomach issues are always the worst. Hope you learned a lesson about overeating...

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Eighteen

I think Holly's heard Goldilocks and The Three Bears a little too many times...

"I was really too tired tonight to really do anything, so I went right to sleep.
I hope you don't mind that I used all of your stockings during the night."

I don't think any of us really minded. I just don't know how Holly got any sort of good night's sleep sleeping like that...

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Seventeen

Last night Holly got back to being a bit naughty...Thankfully it wasn't too bad. I'll let pictures speak for themselves...

...She was totally caught red, er I mean black handed....

Of course she tried to talk her way out of things:

"I didn't want you to forget my name, or wonder how to spell it - so I wrote it all over your bathroom mirror.

I think you'll find it helps you remember me!"

Oh, Holly how could we forget you? Also, your name isn't that difficult to spell. Ah well, at least it was easily cleaned up with a few squirts of windex and a rag...

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Sixteen

Just when I thought it was safe to leave my things unattended...

"Do you know I LOVE to sing?
Well, I do.
I found your mom's Glee Karaoke game last night and had a blast playing.
I think I'm gonna have Santa give it to me for Christmas."

Well at least Holly has good taste in video games. And as far as I can tell she didn't ruin anything. I'm just sad that she's played it as many times as I have. There is something seriously wrong with that picture. 

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Fifteen

As I suspected, Holly was making her way through the kids' things. Ailey wasn't to be forgotten. This is what we found this morning:

She found Ailey's favorite stuffed animal as well as one of her blankies and my pillow and decided to sleep underneath the tree. Here's her note:

"I found a duck.
This duck tells me his name is Boris!
Boris for a duck?
Whatever.
He says he was named after Ailey's favorite show, Blue's Clues and that her Boris is one of her favorite stuffies.
I think I like this Boris, Ailey.
Can I take him back to the North Pole with me?"

Thankfully, Holly wasn't completely serious and Boris is still safely at home in Ailey's bed. I think Ailey would've written Santa off for life had Boris been taken from her.

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Fourteen

It seems Holly's making her way through the kids' things....Last night it was Nathaniel's turn and this is what she decided looked like fun in Nathaniel's room:

... I think Spiderman must've been busy on another call and had his Justice League buddies, Batman and Wonder Woman fill in for him last night...

That didn't stop Peppermint Holly from socializing though, here's what she said:

"I made some friends last night.
They tell me that Nate is their very best friend
and that they all love him.
They're now my good friends too.
You have great taste in friends, Nate!"

Wow, I never imagined Holly would be so social with the toys. I guess everyone needs friends though, huh?

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Thirteen

Holly's antics last night really made me laugh...

Her note was thus:

"Look at me!

I found Alexander's stash of guns!

I practiced a lot last night and I think

I could take you on Alexander.

Should we duel?"

She even placed herself around the corner of Lex's room so that she could take him out the minute he walked by. (I think she forgot she has to stay in plush form when the kids are awake...)

Well played, Holly. Well played. Lex said he'd love to duel you sometime. Maybe you can ask Santa to let that happen...

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Twelve

Holly took advantage of most of the family being gone tonight. She knew Eric was the only one home and that he sleeps like a rock so she had plenty of time to do this:

She got all of Shaylyn's paintings out as well as her easel. She also got a hold of my special pens and some paper. She said she made a picture too, but we didn't see it...

Read her note:

"Hey, Shaylyn!

I noticed all of your artwork last night.

You're pretty talented, aren't you?

Well, guess what?

I'm an artist too.

Just look at my painting.

And don't tell me there's nothing there.

It's a wonderful painting of a cow eating grass,

but he ate all the grass so he had to head to

another field."

Oh, Holly. That's the oldest story in the book. Certainly you could've used your magic to create some sort of real picture...

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Eleven

Last night Holly did something interesting...

That's right, she tried to play the clarinet....Wanna know why?

"Tanis,

Awesome concert tonight.

Well, that's what I heard your Mom & Dad saying. I had to stay here, if you'll remember.

I wanted to see what I was missing out on, so I borrowed this clarinet I found in your parents room and tried to teach myself.

Boy, I don't know how you play this thing.

I can't make a sound come out!"

Holly, I know what you mean. I can't make sound come out of those things very easily either. I'm sorry we left you home as well, but we didn't even take the younger kids either...I did notice though that you forgot to place a reed on the instrument. That could be part of your problem....

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Ten

Remember how a few days ago I said that I think Peppermint Holly's a bit vain...well last night she helped prove my point some more...

We woke up to find Holly sitting under the tree, my cell phone in hand with a picture of her so wonderfully displayed on the screen. She tried to justify her actions...

"Well, you know I'm here to keep Santa updated.
Tonight being about the halfway point, I had to call in my report. So I used your Mom's phone.
Then I found her phone camera and took all sorts of pictures of myself.
Take a look!"

Take a look we did and she went slightly crazy...The digital age, what can I say...

Silly elf. Next time I'm not giving her permission to use my phone to call Santa. I'll give her Eric's. 

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Nine

Last night, Holly decided to join ranks with Eric (as far as opinions go...)

She's reading one of my books and as she put it, they're not always that happy. Here's what she had to say:

"I was in the mood to read tonight

Man, your Mom has a lot of books by this same person. I overheard your Dad ask why she always reads them, and I've got to agree with him.

These aren't very happy books."

So, they may not be the happiest of stories, but the author is a good writer. Sue me. By the way, Peppermint Holly and Eric, this author's got a new book coming out in February and you better believe I'm gonna be getting it and reading it!

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Eight

Since her arrival, Holly's been apt to stay upstairs. Last night she surprised us all and made a trip to the basement. The kids had a hard time finding her, but when they did we found this:

And as always she left us a little note to explain her actions...

"I missed having my own space, so when I saw these cool castle blocks, I decided to make my own home.

I think it's quite lovely, don't you?"

Well, Peppermint Holly - I do quite think your home is lovely. I'm even more amazed that you were able to put this together, without waking up Tanis in the next room...

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Seven

Last night Holly may have made enemies with Eric, time will tell. Look at what she did:

...Eric is very protective of his darts, he doesn't even let the kids play with them...

Holly thinks she is exempt from some of rules and here's the note she left for the kids:

"I decided to play darts last night.
And I made a ride out of it too.
I hope your Daddy doesn't mind."

Eric wasn't very happy. But I think he'll be able to forgive her. She didn't damage any of his darts and everything still works the way it should. She's one lucky elf.

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Six

Night number six came and Holly decided she was going to get tech saavy.

... Naughty little elf got onto my computer without permission...

Thankfully, she was a mostly good elf and watched the following videos (Or so she said):

"I spent the night watching YouTube videos.
I watched some your Mom made of you guys and I got to know you a little bit better, but my favorite videos would have to be the ones called Kid History. Faaaaaaacccct!
P.S. You don't know what you're talking about!!!!"

While I may not have been happy about the fact that Peppermint Holly decided to use my computer, at least she has good taste in YouTube videos!

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Five

On night five, Holly decided to have some fun...

She explained her actions, thusly:

"You know how in movies, people are always sliding down the banisters?

I tried it last night and let me tell you, it was a BLAST!

Too bad you're all too big to do it!

Hahahaha!"

Well, Holly's a bit of a meanie...Maybe she'll grow to be nicer in her notes to us. I'm just glad her sliding down the banister didn't mess up the garland. ;)

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Four

Last night, Peppermint Holly got herself in a bit of a bind:

...She got herself stuck in the tree...

...Which is like a 7 ft. tree....

She left her note saying thus:

"Sometimes I get sick of being so small and not being able to see things very well.
I decided to change that last night and gave your angel a night off.
But, then I got scared and couldn't get back down...
HELP ME!!!"

Well, Holly - maybe that'll teach you not to tackle things bigger than you. Thankfully Shaylyn came to her rescue and got her down even before Nate or Ailey saw what trouble you got into last night.

What Happens Next...

Peppermint Holly: Night Three

I think our elf may be a bit vain and a bit on the artistic side. Take a look at what she did her third night:

...She took this photo of herself...

...Then printed them off in b&w (artistic) and replaced pictures...

Her note said:

"Your house is definitely lacking in elfish decor.

I thought I'd help out and replace all of your pictures with pictures of me.

I think the house is looking mighty decorative now!"

I'm not sure what to think about this one. I sure wasn't happy she replaced her picture with my kids pictures, but perhaps she has a point on the elfish decor...I'll work on it!

What Happens Next...