Putting several bags on the counter Kate smiled she had the perfect plan for the evening to mark the first day of advent and it would be from the elves because they couldn't just leave the advent calendars. Pulling out the Christmassy bowl she had found in the dollar store. Filling it with popcorn she sat the elves in the bowl and sat a Christmassy DVD she had found also in the dollar store. It looked like a cute Christmassy film.

"Annabelle's wish" Mike said reading the DVD case.

"yeah, it's a cute little cartoon about a calf who wants to be one of Santa's reindeer" Kate smiled opening a bag of chocolate buttons tipping them in to another Christmas bowl

"so, it's not a deraigned doll out to get people" Mike grinned

"no and thanks for reminding me about that film." she grinned when mike convinced her to use their date night to go and watch it. Her choice would have been Billy Elliot live but Mike had said he had already booked the tickets. She had spent most of the film with her face buried in Mikes shoulder.

"anyway, what's this for?" he asked.

"Christmas movie night curtsey of Trixi and bob. A festive film to get us in the mood." she smiled. "right well I am off to get the kids from school. No snaffling the popcorn whilst I am out" she grinned warning him.

"yes ma'am" Mike grinned taking a few of the kernels from the bowl sneaking them in to his mouth

Grinning as she saw him, she shook her head "I'll get you later" she said picking up her keys.

Pulling up outside the house after picking up the Kids, Kate was glad of having the extra elfish gift as Nicole had got in the upset and in a mood. she hadn't given a reason why and had not said a word all the way home.

Opening the door Nicole ran straight upstairs. Kate sighed as she heard the door slam putting Chris down who ran after Grace who was going to see if the elves had moved. Spying the elves sat in the bowl grace pulled down the letter that Kate had placed there. Kate looked up the stairs as Grace ran back over.

"look Mummy" Grace called waving it around Trixi has left us something

"let's see" Kate sighed taking it from her. "Dear Nicole, Grace and Chris. Here is a little something to get you in to the Christmas mood. Remember to be Good and that Santa is always watching. Lots of love Trixi and Bob" Kate smiled "look they have brought you all a film to watch. Annabelle's wish. A little calf with big dreams" Kate smiled

"why don't we order some pizzas and we can watch the film" Mike smiled walking over

"now that sounds like a plan" Kate smiled placing the letter back on the side. "I'll go up and check on Nicole, make sure she is okey. You order the Pizza" she smiled.

Walking up the stairs she gently tapped on Nicole's door. "Nicole?" she said softly opening the door. Sitting on the end of the bed she saw as Nicole wiped away the tears. "hey what's wrong"

"i don't want to do the concert" she said

"why. You have worked so hard over the last few weeks and you sound beautiful" Kate said softly brushing her daughter's hair form her face.

"Jamie said I couldn't sing and that I was the one making it rain"

"that's rubbish. Nicole you have a beautiful voice. I love hearing you sing. Don't listen to Jamie she has no idea what she is talking about and if anyone can't sing then it's her. I always thought she drowned everyone else out in the choir. And Madame julienne wouldn't have picked you for the solo if she didn't think you were pitch perfect"

"I have another solo as well. We are singing where are you Christmas" Nicole half smiled "and we are also singing do they know it's Christmas and it will be recorded and sold to raise money for base hospital to say thank you to the staff for this year.

"well, I can't wait to hear your songs. What's the one you are doing separate from the choir.?" she asked

"Christmas must be something more by Taylor Swift" Nicole said

"sounds amazing. Now Trixi and Bob have brought us a Christmas movie to watch and daddy is ordering pizza. You going to come down and join in?" Kate asked

"In a minuet" Nicole forced a smile

"okay. Go and splash some cold water on your face and then come down okay "she smiled standing "and Nicole don't let anyone get you down just be the best you can be and sing from your heart"

Heading back down Kate smiled as Mike walked along the hall

"she okay" he whispered aware that there were two pairs of ears listening

"yeah just someone in school saying she shouldn't get the solo as they are a better singer." Kate sighed.

Their pizzas arrived not long after carrying the boxes through Kate placed them on the table

"here we are she smiled placing the plates down on the counter she smiled as all three ran up picking up plates and adding slices of pizza. she watched as Grace pulled off 4 slices of pizza. "Gracie are you going to eat all 4?" Kate raised a eyebrow. Grace had the same affliction as her father 'her eyes were bigger than her belly'

"yes mummy" she smiled sweetly

"why don't we put 2 back and once you have eaten those if you want some more then you can come and get some okay"

"Fine" Grace said as Kate pulled 2 slices off placing them on her plate.

Curling up on the sofa she reached for the remote pressing play they settled down to watch the film.

it was a nice short film. Just under a hour. As the credits began to roll Kate leaned forward grabbing the remote. As she turned the DVD player off and switched back to the normal tv she looked over at mike who had tears falling down his cheek.

"you alright?" she grinned

"yeah" he smiled

"you big softy. Are you crying at that film?" she grinned

"no" he said brushing away the tears "its just so sad that she was going off to... and then Santa came and" he smiled

"you big softy" she grinned "right then" her attention turned to the kid's "bedtime" she smiled watching as the kids all made their way upstairs. They were one day in to 'elf on the shelf' and she had 23 more ideas to come up with. She would just have to search the internet for some fun ideas.

so really hope you like this and that you can see it! the site seems to be playing up so having to use a different browser. anyway a few points.

Annabelle's wish is a film I used to watch as a kid and now as a adult it does make me sob at the end as I understand what is actually happening.

(go watch it is on YouTube) sorry if the format is off again that is the browser I am using and they way it is making me type. huge love and let me

know what you think x