Christmas Eve dinner was over. Mom and the boys did dishes while Dad and Nicole wrapped the last of the presents.

"It's time for Christmas videos," said Dad.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas came first. Nicole watched her father more than the show. He smiled a lot and even chuckled once or twice. That gave Nicole an idea. Maybe she could write a funny Christmas poem.

After the Grinch, the family took a vote. It was between Miracle on 34th Street and It's A Wonderful Life. Nicole loved them both, but told the family she wanted to work on something and went to her room instead.

She thought for a long time about what to write. She tried out several ideas, but none of them worked. Her thoughts kept coming back to Avery -- maybe because he was sitting on the paper, chewing her pencil.

Suddenly, she knew what to do. She ran over to the bookcase and found what she needed. She would have to change a few things, but that was okay. In a few minutes she was writing as fast as her fingers could move. She started to giggle at her own words, then began to laugh out loud. By the time Miracle on 34th Street was over, Nicole had finished her poem.

She went back to the family room and stood in front of her family. She held up the paper and started to read:

"Avery's First Christmas," by Nicole Foster," she began.

"Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house

Our cat, Avery, chased an invisible mouse.

The stockings were hung by the mantle with care,

till Avery knocked them all down to the chair.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

while Avery walked over each of their heads.

And Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,

put Avery out -- we all needed a nap.

When in the garage there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the doorway I flew like a flash,

flipped on the light, tipped over the trash.

The bulb from the ceiling gave off a glow,

and shed lots of light on the objects below,

when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but Avery pulling eight tiny reindeer.

They were tangled in tinsel that wrapped round his neck,

as he raced past the workbench that now looked a wreck.

More rapid than eagles, the little deer came,

and he hissed and he growled but they stayed just the same.

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky

so up to the tops of the boxes he flew,

with the reindeer and tinsel still hanging on, too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard in the room

crashing and smashing from out of the gloom.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

down the step ladder Avery came with a bound.

He was covered with grease he found under the boat

and dust was now stuck to his shiny black coat.

The broom toppled over and fell on a can

which made a loud bang, but still Avery ran.

He ran past the garden tools, through the camp gear,

over the bicycles, suddenly near.

I reached out and grabbed him the next time he passed,

though I had to be quick and I had to be fast.

A wink of my eye and a twist of my head

soon gave him to know he had nothing to dread.

He made not a sound as I started my work,

I untangled the tinsel -- he turned with a jerk.

And laying his ears back, then rubbing his nose,

He shook all his feet, then silently rose.

He sprang to the box tops, then launched like a missile,

They all toppled over as I gave a whistle.

The kids heard me exclaim as he streaked out of sight,

I'll catch that darn cat if it takes me all night!"

Nicole stopped reading and looked around. Her brothers were rolling on the floor, holding their sides, laughing. Mom was grinning, looking from the boys to Nicole, then over at Dad.

At first Nicole was afraid to look at her father. This had been her last chance. Finally she looked and there he was, right in front of her. He'd laughed so hard tears were rolling down his cheeks. He grabbed Nicole with one arm and tossed her into the air, like a beach ball, then caught her in both arms, pretending to drop her at the last minute. She squealed and giggled. He hadn't played with her like that in a very long time. Maybe still being small wasn't so bad.

Dad took Nicole's poem, taped an ornament hanger to the back of it, and hung it on the front of the Christmas tree. He looked so happy it made Nicole feel even better.

The boys started chanting "Nicole The Great, Nicole The Great." Avery came in and rubbed against her legs.

The grandfather's clock in the hallway struck eleven -- the absolute latest the children were allowed to stay up, even on Christmas Eve. Dad gave Nicole one more squeeze. He dragged the boys up from the floor and gave each a hug, then took Mom's hand and helped her out of her chair. He stopped and looked at his family.

"Happy Christmas to all," he said with a smile, "and to all a good night!" THE END