Susanna Leonard Hill's 11th Annual Valentiny Contest

This year, Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Contest required its contestants to write 214 (or less) word stories for children where someone was feeling superstitious. I wrote about Violet, a vulture who feels like it was only the luck of her heart scarf that was bringing her Valentine's Day cards. 

Violet's Very Fine Valentine
by Rebekah Hoeft
214 words

Violet the Vulture was sad and distressed.
Her heart scarf was missing. She felt underdressed.

“When I wear that scarf on Valentine’s Day,
good things like sweets and cards come my way.
My classmates won’t think to give ugly ol’ me
anything special. But I’ve got these three
cards that I made for Lark, Gull, and Crow.
So I can’t skip the party, I do need to go.”

Sniffling, she dreamed of the luck the scarf brought.
Then bravely she banished those thoughts, and she caught
a current; she flew to Party Place Park.
Circling to land, she heard Crow, Gull, and Lark
talking about her. Their words made her blush.

Lark was impatient, “I wish that she’d rush!”

Gull said, “She’s late, but we really can’t start.
She’d miss all the feasting, the very best part!”

Then Crow proudly said, “Guys, I worked really hard
on making her perfectly roadkill-shaped card.”

“Vi’s funny and kind.”

“Violet’s great!”

“She’s the best!”

Their words made her weepy. She croaked, “I am blessed.”

Blinded by tears, she crashed onto the ground.
As her friends helped her up, her thoughts flipped around.

“You’re really my friends, I found out today!
You like me for me! Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Writing Contest - Not So Perfect Valentines

 

It's that time of year -- Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiney writing contest. This year, writers are to compose a Valentine's story for children that includes the feeling of worry. Stories must not be longer than 214 words. 

In my piece, Bink and Babs have returned, trying to get to Granny's house on time for their Valentine's Day party with their not so perfect Valentine's creations.

Not So Perfect Valentines

By Rebekah Hoeft

214 words

Bink bounced on Babs’s bed.

“Babs! Wake up, Babs! It’s Valentine’s Day! Let’s gooooo!”

Squeezing her eyes shut tighter, Babs yawned. “Too early, Bink. Granny’s not expecting us yet.”

“But we have so much to do. Paper chains. Snowflakes with heart cutouts. Glittering Granny’s card. How will we get it done if we don’t start now? Like, now now?!”

Bink handed her sister scissors and paper. Bleary-eyed, Babs began snipping. Bink glittered the card and glued strips of pink paper together.

When they finished, Babs got ready. Bink paced nervously.

“Bink, what’s got you worried?”

Bink sighed. “The chain’s too short, the glitter is globby–

“–and my snowflake hearts are lopsided.” Babs interrupted.

“It’s not perfect. I wanted Granny to see how much we love her.”

Babs hugged Bink. “Granny loves us. We don’t need to be perfect. Let’s goooooo!”

Bink smiled sadly. They scampered over the river and through the woods to where Granny lived. 

Granny was asleep, covered in glitter and paper scraps.

“Granny! Are you okay?” 

Granny squeaked. “Oh dear, you’re here! I got up early to finish your cards and must have needed a nap. Bother! I wanted your valentines to be perfect but they’re not done. I’m sorry.” Bink smiled. ”Who needs perfect? We love you! Happy Valentine’s Day!”

It's a Christmas Mystery!

Susanna Leonard Hill is hosting her annual holiday writing contest. You can enter your teeny tiny story on her blog from today until December 8, 2024. Your story for kids (12 and under) must be 250 words or less, include some kind of mystery, and be clearly a December holiday story.  It can be rhyming or prose and needs to include a main character and a true story arc.  The following is my entry.  

WHO STOLE THE STAR?

By Rebekah Hoeft

250 WORDS

The door was shut. Windows closed. No fireplace. No way for anyone to get inside the mice’s cozy cottage without being noticed.

*     *     *     *     *

On their porch, Babs and Bink drank cocoa. They watched the stars and snow twinkle. When they went inside, everything seemed as it should. The woodstove warmed the room. The Christmas tree, decked in lights, gingerbread ornaments, and popcorn strings, glowed in front of the window. Their supper, roasting in the oven, smelled delicious. 

But then Babs squeaked, pointing to the tree. “Where’s our star!?”

“Maybe it fell?” Binks wondered.

The mice scampered around the tree.

No star.

Babs slumped into her arm chair. “We worked so hard. The star was our masterpiece.”

Bink nodded. “It still is! We’ll find it, Babs.” 

The two mice sat staring at their tree. Bink pulled a cookie from her pocket, nibbling while thinking about the mystery of the missing star. She muttered to herself. “A thief? But how? Elves? Santa? Too soon.” 

Babs looked at her sister. She blinked. “Bink?”

No response. Bink munched, lost in thought. Silvery sprinkles stuck to her whiskers.

“BINK!”

Bink jumped.  “What!?”

“Whatcha eating?”

“Oh. A cookie. You know eating helps me think. I’m gonna solve this mystery.”

“Where’d you get it, Bink?”

“Hmm? Oh. From my pocket. I found it before we went outside.”

“Found it? Where?”

“On the floor by— BABS! Our star! I found it!”

Babs laughed. “Yes, you did. Case closed… as long as you don’t eat any more of the decorations!”

Get Well Soon, Mrs. Love -- Susanna Leonard Hill's 2022 Valentiny Contest

It's contest time over at Susanna Leonard Hill's blog. The rules?  Write a tiny story with a Valentine theme where a character feels pride. And keep it to 214 words or less.

I wrote a story about some kids who worked hard on Valentine presents for their teacher, who has to miss the classroom party becausw she's sick.

♥️ ♥️ ♥️

Get Well Soon, Mrs. Love
214 words

“Mrs. Love shouldn’t miss our party AND presents,” Ingrid said indignantly.

Omar agreed. “We worked hard on her gifts. Could you deliver them?”

Everyone looked at me, knowing I lived on our teacher’s street. I felt nervous but to cheer her up, I agreed.

On the way, I practiced the poem I’d written. I knocked, holding out the box of gifts when she tiredly opened the door.

Shyly I stammered, “…H-h-happy Valentine’s Day.

Bertha and Bree made a card with pink beads.
Eve shaped a heart for your birds with some seeds.

Omar and Oak wrote a Valentine’s joke.
Ume’s heart sculpture was great (till it broke).
Rue drew a lovebug so cute and so weird.

Von’s homemade chocolate has – GASP! – disappeared.
Anamaria recorded a song.
Lex penned a letter but spelled your name wrong.
Elle made a crown with those jewels that stick.
Neal’s heart is HEAVY with paint smeared on thick.
Tula thought tulips would be your delight.
Ingrid felt strongly that roses were right.
None of us like that you’re out with the flu.
Each of our presents say we sure love you!"

Mrs. Love beamed. “I’ve never been more happy to be your teacher. Thank you.”

She waved and I walked away, bursting with pride that we’d made her smile.

♥️ ♥️ ♥️

If you missed this year's contest, try out Susanna's other holiday writing contests in October and December.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Susanna Leonard Hill's ValenTINY 2021 - Grouchy Grover

Grouchy Grover the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak ©️ 2021 Rebekah Hoeft

Grouchy Grover

214 words

Grover eyed the cat nervously.  Mission nearly complete, Grover darted to the hibiscus plant by the house.  This was the last trip to finish his special valentine and apology.

That morning, Grover had been rude to Rose.  

"Go away. This is my spot."  The branch Grover claimed was perfect for catching bugs and held perfectly ripe coffee berries.

"Sure, Grover. I'll go," she’d chirped kindly.  Off she’d flitted to friends perched in the warm Jamaican sun.  He wished he’d been kinder.  Valentine’s Day wasn’t the same without Rose. 

Most rose-breasted grosbeaks loved winter vacation, but as usual, he’d woken up on the wrong side of the branch.  He missed their Michigan garden with its pine trees and sunflower seeds supplied by thoughtful humans.  His winter feathers were faded and splotchy.  Grover didn’t feel like himself.

Now he was trying to make it up to Rose. 

The cat turned.  Scared but determined, he plucked up his courage, plucked the flower, and soared away just as the cat pounced.  

Returning to his masterpiece, he placed the last flower.

 Nervously, he chirped, "Rose? Can you come here?"

She hopped to where he stood next to a tasty heart made of flowers and coffee berries.

"Rose, I'm sorry I was unkind.  Will you be my valentine?"

"Always, Grover."

©2021 Rebekah Hoeft

* * * * * * * * * * *

Susanna Leonard Hill is hosting her annual ValenTINY contest.  She invites authors to write and submit stories of 214 words or less centered around Valentine's Day.  This year, authors also need to include the idea of bravery in their stories.  For the complete rules and to read other entries, you should check out her Valentiny blog post.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Head over to my TpT page to purchase a set of worksheets to practice reading comprehension of this story and a related nonfiction article.

Susanna Leonard Hill's Halloweensie 2020: Scarlett Skeleton

Scarlett Skeleton

100 words

Scarlett Skeleton hid in the shadowy dark behind a shed, teeth click-clacking as she sobbed.  The shouts of trick-or-treaters echoed around her.

Footsteps crept close. A cat-masked face peeked around the corner.

“Hi!  I’m Casey.  Why are you sad?”

Scarlett sighed, showing her empty bucket.  “Parents shriek and throw hard candy at me, which rattles right through me.  I want treats; they think I’m the trick.”

Casey said, “That is sad.  Would you like some of my taffy? It's delicious and will stick to your ribs."

Scarlett nodded thankfully, happy to have found a sweet treat and a sweet friend

©️ 2020 Rebekah Hoeft

It's Halloweensie time over at Susanna Leonard Hill's blog! Here's what how she explains it:

"The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words skeleton, creep, and mask.  Your story can be scary, funny, sweet, or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!)  Get it?  Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people "

For more details on how to submit your own story or to read other entries, head to her Susanna's Halloweensie blog post.

Thanks. Susanna, for another fun prompt!

Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny 2020 - Heart Hunt

It's that time of year--Valentiny time over at Susanna Leonard Hill's blog! 

Write a teeny-tiny children's story following these basic rules:

💜Make it tiny--214 words or less!

💜Make sure it is Valentine's story.

💜Make sure it includes someone who feels curiosity.

You can find more information at her blog.

Heart Hunt

214 words

Samuel shook his sister.  “Josie. Wake up.”

“Samuel,” Josephine grumbled, “it’s not dignified to be shaken.  Kindly desist.

“Princess Josephine, your royal presence is requested on a scavenger hunt.  Might you get up NOW?!”

Josephine popped up.  “To find what?”

Samuel shrugged, holding up a heart-shaped card with glimmering, golden words: ‘Head to the HEARTh.’  “Mother and Father left this before they set out for the Valentine’s ball.”

They ran to the great room.  There they found a warm fire and another card.

Josephine read:  'Go where cLOVErleaf grows.'

“The meadow!”  

Once ready, they crossed the moat to the snowy meadow.  Josephine sighed. “I wish Herbert was here. He loved adventures.”  

Samuel’s eyes grew hot with tears.  “I know. But he had to go. He didn’t like scaring people.”

The next crimson clue hung from a snowy branch on the edge of the meadow.

'Find your HEART’s desire where foxgLOVE’s found first.'

Josephine wondered.  “The only thing my heart desires is -- Oh!  Maybe through the woods…”

“...by the cave!  Do you think…?”

“I do.  Let’s go!” 

They ran until they reached the cave. 

Curled in the clearing was their dragon.  

“Herbert!”  

A golden heart around his neck read: 'Herbert’s here to stay. Happy Valentine’s Day!'

Herbert purred as they gave him a welcome-home hug.

Update: Not a finalist :) but there are some stories you can read at Susanna's blog that did make it to the finals! Read for fun or you can read for fun AND to vote by February 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Susanna Leonard Hill's 9th Annual Holiday Contest - Merry and Bright

Susanna Leonard Hill, author, blogger, and chocolate lover, has given her annual holiday challenge:  write a teensy tiny holiday story.  Here are the basic rules if you want to play along:

-Story must have a clear holiday theme

-Story must be about a treat 

-Story must be no longer than 250 words

-Story must be for kids 12 years old and younger

Post your story on your blog and go to Susanna's site between December 9-11 and give her your story-specific link (or copy and paste your story in her comment section).

Happy Christmas and happy writing!

Merry and Bright

by Rebekah Hoeft

250 words

You'd think Christmas Eve on the tippy-top of the world would be merry and bright.  But Christmastime in Christmastown is covered in cold darkness.  The only light comes from what stars and moon peek through the clouds.  This Christmas, not even the moon showed its face.

Grumpy Christmastown elves, wishing for their cozy homes and well-deserved naps, were not cheered by Abner’s letter. 

Tomkin waved his lantern around, casting strange shadows on the other elves.  “Abner said there’d be something splendid out here.  All I see is dark...and a little more dark after that...wait...I see something.  Oop.  More dark.”

Pierette said, “Tomkin, Abner never lies.  If he said we’ll have a treat tonight, we will.” 

The elves agreed and huddled together, passing the time with elf song and stories.

After hours of waiting, elves started taking stealthy steps back home until Tomkin gasped and pointed at a glimmer growing in the sky.  Soon, it looked as if the sun had decided to wake from its sleep.  Brightly colored packages dropped, gliding to the ground on shimmering parachutes.  The elves scampered to open them:

“Candy canes!” 

“Cotton candy!” 

“Chocolate covered carrots!”  

—all the makings for a fine elf feast. 

The last parachute floated down, carrying a giant lantern and another letter:

Dear Ones,

You worked hard this year!

Enjoy your feast!

Love,

Abner

Head Elf,

Delivery Division

And so they did and all were merry and bright, even in the darkest, most tippy-top part of the world.

Susanna Leonard Hill's 4th Annual Valentiny Writing Contest: Eve and Mort

Eve and Mort

by Rebekah Hoeft

214 words

Eve folded, cut, and glitter glued

so many Valentines that you'd
be certain she had made enough for all

her class of twenty-eight, plus two--

a card for Mrs. Mackenrue

and one for her best friend across the hall--

but you'd be wrong, for Eve was short

by one sweet heart.  I must report

it was no accident that Mort was missed.

For he on playground three days past

had beat her in a race; aghast

she claimed, "He cheats!" and bopped Mort with her fist.

So she was sent to Mrs. Brahm

who shrilled, "Detention!," called her mom,

who picked Eve up and grounded her for life;

or so it felt to Eve:  "Not fair!"

She pouted, stomped, and vowed, "I swear

I'll never be a friend to Mortie Drife."

On Valentine's she made her move 

to show him up; with hearts she'd prove

that she was not his friend and never would

forgive him for his besting her,

for stealing "Fastest Kid," no sir,

but when she saw his card she felt no good.

It was impressive, glittered gold,

Amazingly with words in bold:

"Two kids as quick as us should be fast friends."

Guilt-ridden, in remorse Eve cried

"You won!  You didn't cheat!  I lied!"

With Valentiny hug she made amends.

*     *     *     *    *     *     *    *     *     *     *

Interested in writing a 214 word Valentine's story and sharing it with all the world?  Okay, not ALL the world, but whoever wanders over from  Susanna Leonard Hill's blog?!

Here are the rules:

💗214 words--can be less but not more!
💗clearly about Valentine's Day

💗has a character who feels guilty about something (or makes someone feel guilty about something)

💗be written for children

Your story can be poetry or prose.  If you don't have a blog but want to compete for fabulous prizes you can post your story to the comment section of the blog post she posts on February 13.  Or email her.  Or don't compete and just use her prompt as a prompt.

Or don't write a thing and just go read all the teeny-tiny stories about Valentine's Day.

Thanks, Susanna, for a fun challenge!  

  

Susanna Leonard Hill's Teensie Tiny Halloweensie Story Contest - The Plan

Susanna Leonard Hill is hosting her 8th Annual Halloweensie story contest. Head to her site or to the bottom of this post for more information.

The Plan

100 words

by Rebekah Hoeft

Princess stirs the bubbling concoction.  In the flickering firelight, her tarnished crown and tattered dress look eerily royal.

Jester and Bear arrive as something howls in the dusky distance. The group shivers and huddles by the fire.

"All is as planned," Princess says. "None will resist."

Concerned, Bear peers into the cauldron.  "Will there be enough, you think?"

Jester cackles. "Of course! Princess plots perfectly.”   

A lone figure emerges out of the shadowed woods. 

“Look. It begins."

"Trick-or-treat?" Mouse says timidly.

Princess smiles kindly.  "Welcome. Come. Warm yourself.”  

She offers Mouse a cup of cocoa. “Nice costume, Keith.  Happy Halloween!”

© October 2018  Rebekah Hoeft

Per usual, Susanna's rules are simple:
1.  Super teeny tiny story:  100 words or less.
2.  Use the words cauldron, shiver, and howls.
3.  Have a main character and story arc.
4.  Tell a story that is clearly about Halloween.
5.  Write well, with readers age 12 and under in mind.

Head on over to her site  to join in as a reader or writer (stories due by October 31 at 11:59 p.m.).

Edit (Sunday, October 28):  This morning, I realized I hadn't read Susasanas whole blog post.

So I read it.

Gulp.

I found what I am sure every writer dreads most...that the story you wrote and slashed at and muttered over has already been written.  By someone else.  And worse, that someone else is the person you are submitting your work to. 

In a nutshell, Susanna's example 100-word story is about a group with a plan gathered at the edge of town (in the woods, maybe?) around a fire on a Halloween night with a cauldron filled with hot cocoa. 

Susanna's is a 20-line rhyming poem.  My original was a 16-line rhyming poem.  I liked it, but it didn't emphasize a character enough or feel like it had a story arc. So I canned it but kept the basic idea. 

Our stories ARE different stories.  A witch MC vs. a Princess MC.  Cocoa motives are different.  But still.  I cringe.   But leave it 'cause writing 100-word stories is darn hard.  Plus, it's report card, parent teacher conference week.   

So, Susanna, if you've read this far, my apologies for inadvertent plagiarism.  Great minds think alike?! 

Susanna Leonard Hill's ValenTINY Contest - Grumpily Yours

It's almost Valentine's Day--time for love and hearts and flowers and cards and Susanna Leonard Hill's annual ValenTINY contest.

Story requirements?
❤ Be written for children
❤ Have a Valentine theme
❤ Contain a character who is hopeful
❤ Be no more than 214 words long

Easy-peasy.

Nope.

But fun. Give it a try. Just make sure it's in by Valentine's Day. And only 214 words. :)

Grumpily Yours
214 words

Miss Springtide chirped cheerily.  “Today we’ll create coffers of cordiality, crates of consideration…”

Crickets.  

“We’re making Valentine’s mailboxes.”

“Ohhhhhh.”  Her students smiled.  

Except Vern.

“Gross,” he grouched.  

“Utilize your superior skills to appraise the dimensions of your receptacles to ensure felicitous fits,” Miss Springtide directed.

Crickets.  

“She means measure so your paper fits,” Vern grumbled.

“Ohhhhhhh.”  They got busy, choosing cheery colors.  Vern chose grey.

“I hope no one gives me anything,” he muttered while measuring.

“I’m not giving anyone anything,” while cutting and complaining.

“Hmmph,” he groused as he glued.

All week, the class created their  cards.

Vern ignored the bustle but noticed when classmates delivered their creations.  

He grudgingly helped a few kids whose boxes were falling apart and those who forgot how to spell a word for their valentines.  

He started to hope they wouldn’t notice he hadn’t made any.

The day before Valentine’s, Vern asked Miss Springtide for paper.

“Indubitably,” she said.

On Valentine’s, the children dumped out their boxes and looked through their cards.  

The room quieted.

Vern felt his classmates’ eyes.    He looked up.  Each student held a beautiful card made with a rainbow of different-sized hearts.

“I hope you like them,” Vern said shyly, but meant “I hope you like me.”

Their smiles told him they did.

© Rebekah Hoeft February 2018

Edited:
Not a finalist but thanks for the fun, Susanna!

Sweet Hopeful Hymns We Sing

Yesterday and the day before, I posted about Susanna Leonard Hill's Annual Holiday Contests.  Today, guess what?  I'm posting about Susanna Leonard Hill's Annual Holiday Contests. 

This entry was from last year's contest--a Twelve Days of Christmas-esque Christmas hymn homage.  Say that 12 times fast.

Again, not a winner.  Again, fun to write.

Sweet Hopeful Hymns We Sing

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing:
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing:
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
Lift Up Your Heads
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
Hark the Glad Sound!
Lift Up Your Heads
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
Come, Expected Jesus
Hark the Glad Sound!
Lift up Your Heads
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
In the Bleak Midwinter
Once in David’s City
Come, Expected Jesus
Hark the Glad Sound!
Lift Up Your Heads
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
Away in the Manger
In a Little Stable
In the Bleak Midwinter
Once in David’s City
Come, Expected Jesus
Hark the Glad Sound!
Lift Up Your Heads
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

In the days before Christmas, sweet hopeful hymns we sing
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Joy to the World
Away in the Manger
In a Little Stable
In the Bleak Midwinter
Once in David’s City
Come Expected Jesus
Hark the Glad Sound!
Lift Up Your Heads
Savior, Come
Come, Emmanuel
Preparing for the Advent of Our King.

©2016 Rebekah Hoeft

Sneaky Snoop: A Cautionary Christmas Tale

Last year, Susanna Leonard Hill, blogger and author of the Punxsutawney Phyllis books (among others) hosted her 6th Annual Holiday Contest.  It was a challenge to write a children's story of 300 words or less using the basic concept of the 12 Days of Christmas.  

Super fun.  And challenging to use that form to tell an actual story.  In 300 words or less.  

Better than 250, which is this year's challenge.  You can find more info about this year's challenge here and my entry here.  Hurry if you want to enter--your story is due by 11:59 p.m. tonight!

This was one of my entries from last year-not a winner, but fun to write anyway.  Possibly hard to sing correctly.  Also, I should point out, 292 words---waaayyy under the word limit!  Though I might have been pushing it using whoopity-whoop as one word instead of two.

Sneaky Snoop: A Cautionary Christmas Tale

Ten days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Found a gift that made me whisper, “Whoop!”

Nine days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Eight days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Seven days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Wooden slingshot!
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Six days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
SIX PAIRS OF SOCKS??!
Wooden slingshot!
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Five days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
New underwear.
SIX PAIRS OF SOCKS?!
Wooden slingshot!
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Four days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Ugly scratchy sweater.
New underwear.
SIX PAIRS OF SOCKS?!
Wooden slingshot!
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Three days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Rocks wrapped so nicely.
Ugly scratchy sweater.
New underwear.
SIX PAIRS OF SOCKS?!
Wooden slingshot!
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

Two days before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Two lumps of coal.
Rocks wrapped so nicely.
Ugly scratchy sweater.
New underwear.
SIX PAIRS OF SOCKS?!
Wooden slingshot!
Yellow yo-yo!
Bright bicycle!
T’was a gift that made me whoopity-whoop!

The day before Christmas, I snuck a sneaky snoop:
Found a note from Mother,
It said, “You think you’re sneaky,
But you are not really.
Your gifts are all rehidden
Might not find them until
FIVE DAYS FROM NOW!!
It’ll be fun
Since you like
Hunting for your gifts
Merry Christmas, son! I love you, sneaky snoop!”

©2016 Rebekah Hoeft