Allanah opened her eyes to a dark bedroom except for her pink nightlight on the wall. Throwing her covers back she slipped out of bed holding her brown teddy bear as she slowly walked out starting down the hall. The hall was quiet as everyone still slept but Allanah was on a mission to change that. She pushed open her parents' door toddling to the bed carefully pulling herself up.
Feeling someone climbing over her Eddie reluctantly opened her eyes and smiles at her bright eyed daughter. "Hey what are you doing out of bed?" Giggling Allanah squeezed herself in between her parents.
Jamie shifted smiling at his daughter and wife kissing each of their heads adjusting so Allanah had more room. "I was thinking since we're both off today we could decorate the tree today. "
"Yea, we should then maybe we'll take the kids to see Santa.." Jamie laughed lightly wanting more time to just relax with his family but fighting against the part of him that wanted to be lazy he got up to make a pot of coffee.
Eddie carried Allanah downstairs starting breakfast for her. When the food was placed down on the tray Allanah scrunched her little nose pushing it away with a shake of her head. "You have to eat Allanah so we could help daddy with the tree later."
"NO!"
Sensing a meltdown Eddie quickly grabbed the bowl putting it on the table before it went flying leaving one hand on the tray to get her daughter's attention. "Allanah you need to stop and use your words."
"Gogurt," Allanah cried using one finger to point at the fridge where she knows they keep the yogurt. She wiped her eyes while Eddie got yogurt for her daughter holding it out of reach. "What do you say?"
"Tank you," Allanah reached out taking the yogurt excitedly slurping down the strawberry flavor when her siblings came down.
"Hey guys come sit for dinner we're going to decorate the tree today," Eddie let them know moving the cereal to make breakfast for the older two. They cheered gobbling down cereal excited to help out with the Christmas tree that everyone who visited would see.
Jamie ate quickly wanting to head out so he could pick a good tree for them to decorate. A half hour later all Eddie took all the kids up to bathe and change them finishing just as the front door closed downstairs. "Daddy's home," Joe shrieked, racing down the step hurrying to see him.
Jamie dragged a large Christmas tree just inside the door turning hearing tiny footsteps. "Hey buddy," he greeted arms wide open to hug his son with Eddie, Allanah and Mary right behind.
With Eddie's hell they brought the tree inside propped up in a corner of the living room. Jamie brought out the decorations from his and Eddie's first Christmas adding to the collection each year with ornaments the kids made in school.
"Look I made this in kindergarten," Mary held up a white angel decorated in silver glitter with her name in purple marker. She carefully set it aside when they were ready to hang it up starting with the silver garland.
Joe happily squeezed behind the tree to work the garland around before passing it to his sister giggling with excitement. With all three helping, Allanah assisted by Eddie at the bottom they finished the first layer moving on to lights. Eddie and Jamie bought multi colored lights for their first Christmas together after seeing Eddie's face light up when seeing the Rockefeller tree.
Mary sang Frosty carefully taking the lights from her brothers placing them on every layer before handing the rest to her father. Allanah finished the bottom stepping back with Eddie so Jamie could plug the lights in admiring the colors. "Nice job guys. Now your favorite part Mary."
Mary excitedly reached for the angel she placed aside carefully hanging it on a middle branch in clear view. Beside her Joe took candy canes out of the box carefully placing them all over. Allanah looked at the brightly striped candies and reached out a chubby hand. Her motor skills and intelligence were almost twice what they should be for her young age, Frank always said she reminded him of Jamie. Jamie walked early, spoke early and read by two years old. Still, emotionally their baby girl was still her age. When Joey pulled the candy away, "No, no, not eat it!" She began to cry.
Eddie bent over and picked her up, taking her to help unpack some of the other holiday decorations they had to keep her busy. "Why Lanna always cry?" Joey asked Jamie.
"She's still little yet buddy," Jamie replied. "Sometime she has her words but other times she's not able to get them out yet. You're doing a great job there Kiddo." He stood back admiring how great the tree looked. "Great jobs guys.."
"Daddy, can we go see Santa Clause please, please.." Mary begged joined by Joe eagerly wanting to meet the jolly man who brought presents when they were good. Jamie laughed at their joint effort, glancing Eddie giving in.
They put the finishing touches on leaving the lights on for when they got home. Eddie quickly grabbed a bag for Allanah with diapers and toys for the afternoon while Jamie helped Joe and Mary Rose with their sneakers meeting them outside carrying Allanah.
Placing all three kids in their seats first, Mary still singing a soft even voice inherited from her mother. Smiling Jamie drove to the mall managing a parking spot around the corner on the street. Eddie helped Joe out holding his hand while Mary unbuckled herself climbing out. Jamie took Allanah kissing her head waiting until they got on the sidewalk to put her down.
"No no down," Allanah cried, reaching both hands up wanting to be lifted up again obliged by Jamie. Walking in Mary told Joe all about the jolly man in red and what to expect when they got inside.
The line was long as most families in Brooklyn had the same day but seemed to move quickly. Mary Rose continued talking the entire time, Allanah turning her head everywhere taking in all the new sights and sounds. Joe tired of hearing his sister turned away trying to see the man they were waiting to see.
When it was finally their turn Mary Rose eagerly went up greeting the round bellied man with a smile. Joe approached slowly behind his sister shyly hiding behind her. "Hi what's your name little boy," Santa chuckled.
"That's my brother Joe he's shy and that's my sister Allanah," Mary introduced for him turning to hug Joe. "It's okay Joe that's Santa Clause he's nice. We're going to take a picture with him."
Seeing Joe's hesitation Eddie lifted the two onto Santa's lap staying close in case he got upset. Jamie moved to put Allanah down in the middle moving away to Eddie's side smiling as their picture was taking.
Jamie turned to Eddie beaming proudly at their family getting more excited for Christmas with them.