Holly and Nicholas were excited. School had dismissed until after the new year so they decided that they would spend their first day of Christmas vacation looking through all the toy catalogs that had come in the mail this past month. They also got to drink hot cocoa their favorite way – with marshmallows, chocolate chips and a pile of whipped cream as tall as the cup. They spread the new handmade lap quilts their Nana gave them for an early present near the Christmas tree and began studying the catalogs intently. It was a holiday treat they looked forward to each December. Whenever they found something they thought they might want, they made sure to write down what magazine and the page number where it was located in their notebooks. Trying to narrow down their Christmas lists was hard and they were not having much luck as there were so many things to tempt them. They had to get them done before bedtime so Mom could get them dropped into mailbox. Holly and Nicholas wanted to be sure Santa got them in plenty of time. Mom told them to be careful because if they asked for too many toys, they might not get the ones they really wanted.
Their favorite Christmas movie, 'The Santa Clause,' was playing in the background. They got the sequels for Christmas last year and intended to watch them all this afternoon. Mom was in the kitchen baking pies, cakes, and cookies. Dad was outside, putting the finishing touches on the decorations, transforming their front yard into a winter wonderland. The siblings loved how their mom managed to make the house look just like Santa's workshop, or at least how they imagined it might. The smell of cinnamon and cloves filled the air. The warm fire dad had built in the fireplace cast a warm glow over the living room. Only a light snowfall on Christmas Eve could make it perfect. The weatherman said there was a good chance. The children kept their fingers crossed.
Nicholas was anxious about something else besides his letter getting to Santa on time. Christmas would be here soon, and he didn't know how Santa was going to get into their house to bring all the presents on their wish list. Their mom and dad always keep a fire going in the fireplace this time of year. He knew the Santa in the movies could magically drop down the chimney, but he also knew it was just a movie. He couldn't do that in real life – or could he? How would he get down the chimney without getting burned? I know, he thought, I'll ask Holly.
'Don't worry,' his big sister replied, 'Mom said Santa is magical and he always finds a way. I know! Let's take a break and go ask Nana.'
Holly and Nicholas ran to ask their mom if they could walk to Nana's house. Luckily, she lived only a few blocks away.
You may go after I call and check with Nana to see if it's okay, but you must be home before dark,' mom reminded them.
'We will!' Holly and Nicholas exclaimed. They loved hanging out at Nana's house where they got to help bake and make decorations of the house and Christmas tree.
Mom hung up the phone and said, 'Nana said to come right over. She'll be waiting on the porch for you.'
Opening the hall closet, she handed the two their coats and boots.
After they had bundled up, they ran through the snow to Nana's house.
'Nana!' both children exclaimed at once as they flew up the porch steps, 'We have a question for you.'
'Come inside and get warm first. Then you can ask me anything you like,' Nana replied, leading them into her warm, inviting kitchen.
Only Nana's kitchen smells better than ours, Holly thought, as she shrugged off her coat and boots.
'How would you like to help me bake while we talk?' Nana asked.
'Boy, would we!' The two clapped their hands with glee.
Both children scrambled to put on the aprons Nana had made for them to wear whenever they helped her bake. Holly's was adorned with – what else? – holly. Nicholas' had a snowman.
As soon as they started mixing up the cookie dough and cutting out shapes, Nicholas asked the one question that had been in both of their minds all day.
'Nana, we're worried. It's especially cold this year, and we don't know how Santa's going to get in to give us our presents if daddy keeps the fire going in the fireplace all 'Yeah,' Holly added, 'Mom said Santa's magical. How is that possible?'
To be continued...