Last time at bat archives: The Day before Thanksgiving

Twas the morning before Thanksgiving, And all through the house

Moving boxes were opened,And items scattered about!

The uniforms were hung in the closets with care

In hopes that Daddy soon would be there.

The teens were still sleeping, all snug in their beds,

While visions of the feast danced in their heads;

And mommy was frustrated, wanting to nap,

But the boxes were open, the house looked like crap!,

When suddenly Mommy got inspiration so clever,

She sprang from her chair to take up the endeavor.

Around her bedroom she flew like a flash,

Tucked stuff under the bed, found places to stash.

The house started looking like it was ready to show

Gave Mommy the hope she could finally slow,

When, what to her wondering eyes should appear,

But her three errant children, ready to steer,

Mommy back to the bedroom for a nap so quick,

She thought it must be something they saw on Nick.

But she's learned to not look a gift horse in the mouth,

And grateful for help, she rested while they worked the house;

"Now, Kimmy! now, Mac! lets get fixin'!

this house up and do it so quickly!"

Kendra pointed to the kitchen, the dining room, the hall!

"Now get going and finish it all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So through the house the teens flew,

With buckets, brooms, dustpan, and elbow grease, too.

And then, Mommy heard in the house

The arrival and greetings of her much loved spouse.

As she jumped from her bed and ran down the hall ,

Into the living room, and the arms of her Paul .

He was dressed all in camoflauge, from his head to his boots,

And his uniform was covered with grass and roots;

A rucksack of clothes he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a traveler, who'd finally come back.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his children so merry!

His kisses, they tasted sweeter than cherries!

The teens were happy, they pranced up and down

Til Daddy looked at the room and started to frown.

He couldn't believe how unkempt the place looked

Turning his head, he gave them a look;

He had the dad face and the children were quelling,

all shook up that their dad was bellowing.

He was happy to be home, but mad at the mess,

And he suggested we all get down to the test;

But wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave us to know we had nothing to dread;

He laughed at his joke, but went straight to work,

And with all our help, soon put the house to perk,

And laying his broom finally aside ,

Looked at the spotless house and sighed;