Toddler Turtles Christmas

Christmas Eve in the sewers

Disclaimer: I have said this every chapter – I don't own the turtles. But this story is my original creation. Also Mikey's name is actually spelt as Michealangelo in the 80's cartoon, because Eastman and Laird made a mistake when they wrote the comics – so it stuck until the recent version. It is now spelt Michelangelo – but really when it comes down to it – he's the same old Mikey. He's still the baby brother of the group and his personality hasn't changed over the years. Really Raphael is the only one who's really changed – he was a lot tamer in the old cartoon – not so dark. Thanks

"Got you, you're up!" Mikey ran away from the person he had just tagged. His brother chased after him and his brothers, as they raced around the lair. They would jump over furniture and even a giant rat's tail just to get away from the person chasing them.

Poor Splinter was trying to read a book, but it was useless – he was better off watching his four young sons' antics. He smiled at their play and was happy with their progress over the last year.

Each of his young sons was now becoming an individual. Before they were four young turtles who did everything together, through the last twelve months they had grown so much. They could all now read and write, though Leonardo and Donetello displayed the better abilities so far, mind you Splinter was sure they were the oldest two of the group. They had been the ones to reach milestones first and they behaved differently to the younger two.

Splinter mused over the frustration his younger sons had earlier that year learning to read. Poor Raphael got frustrated when he saw his big brothers reading chapter books and he was stuck reading baby picture books with Mikey. Though Splinter sensed that in no time Raphael would be picking up one of his brother's books and reading it for himself. He had shown interest in Donnie's latest chapter book, asking Donnie to read it to him, which offcourse Donnie did.

He knew that his four young charges were almost ready to begin their training as ninja students. Already he had begun teaching Leonardo, the oldest some skills in focusing on a task and ignoring distractions. He had felt Leo was indeed the child who was different from his brothers. Leonardo was already acting more like a ten year old in his behaviour and got frustrated at the antics of his younger brothers.

They were quick and very active turtles – Splinter didn't think turtles could be so fast. But his four sons were proving that common theory wrong every day.

Mikey jumped over Splinter's tail again as Raphael chased him. Raphael concentrating more on catching his brother tripped over and fell to the ground.

"Ha-ha!" Mikey cried, when he saw his brother had tripped over their father's tail.

"Are you alright my son?" Splinter turned to help his son up. Raphael looked more embarrassed than anything else.

"Sorry Master Splinter," he mumbled.

"I think you four should take a rest from running around. How about I read you a story?" The old rat suggested.

"Yeah!" Four young turtles quickly sat next to him, and there was the usual fights over who got Splinter's lap – but Raphael one this time.

"Here make sure you don't eat those cookies, Mikey!" Splinter warned his youngest as he allowed his sons to put out food for Santa Claus.

He had give Leonardo and Donetello the responsibility of pouring a glass of milk.

"How many cookies does he get?" Mikey asked, as he took them out one by one out of the packet.

"Four, one from each of you," Splinter said, "Raphael how is the thank you letter going?"

Raphael was finishing off his red coloured thank-you note for Santa and was writing his brother's names down. Of course he had trouble spelling them, but Splinter let that pass, it was late and all four boys were tired.

They put the cookies, milk and thank you note on the boy's drawing table.

"Bed time!" Splinter tried to make it exciting for his sons, who wanted to stay up and see this Santa Claus guy.

"But we want to sleep out here and see Santa when he comes," Donnie said, excited.

"I'm sorry my dear sons, you must go to bed. He won't come until you are in your beds, asleep. You want him to come don't you?" Splinter's whiskers twitched.

"Come on, let's go to bed." Leo told his brothers.

Splinter tucked in his four little sons and kissed them good night.

He then went to organise the day ahead, every time he heard a noise from his sons' room his ears twitched to check they were indeed asleep.

Yeah… only 2 more to go!!!!!! Stay tuned and don't worry – It'll be up before Christmas – 2004 – that is!