Chapter 2: Jolly Ol' Friends
"There, that's good." Barney said, adjusting a wreath on the Martin's door. "So, what do you think?"
"It's wonderful!" Hannah said.
"It's great." Robert beamed.
"It's beautiful." Keesha and Lucy agreed in unison.
"And it's cold!" Stephen exclaimed.
"It is getting just a little bit shivery." Barney said. "Brrr!"
"Have you found the carrot yet, Franklin?" Pigpen asked his friend.
"No…not yet." Franklin said before they all heard a crunching sound. "Don't tell me."
"Marcie!" Peppermint Patty exclaimed as Marcie snacked on the carrot.
"Sorry, Sir. Sorry, Franklin. I got kind of hungry." Marcie blushed.
"Maybe we should step inside now, where it's warm." Hannah suggested.
"And where there's gonna be warm cookies!" Robert added. "And we can get a new nose for the snowman too."
"Oh boy! Oh boy! Lead the way!" Barney exclaimed as they all entered the house, taking off their snow coats, hats, scarves, gloves and earmuffs.
"I'll hang up your coats." Barney insisted.
"Thanks." The kids replied.
"You're welcome." Barney replied gleefully as he went to hang up the coats.
"Hang on, guys. My mom wants me." Hannah said. "What is it? Yes, we're back inside so soon."
"We're all done." Robert called out as Rerun fidgeted with his overalls.
"And we know, that quick, Mrs. Martin." Heather smiled.
"We had help from Barney!" Stephen explained.
"From Barney!" Rerun repeated, high fiving him.
"I'll let them know. Mom says that since Barney's gonna be helping, maybe she could bake some extra cookies so there'll be enough." Hannah said as she returned towards the group.
"Man, I'm hungry." Franklin said as Barney returned. "Hey Barney."
"Hey Franklin." Barney smiled.
"Say, Hannah, what are all these boxes?" Rerun asked in curiosity.
"Oh, these are decorations for inside the house, Rerun." Hannah explained, holding up a figure of Santa in his sleigh.
"Hey! That's Santa Claus!" Lucy exclaimed. "With presents for me and me alone! I've been a good girl all year long!"
"All year long?" Linus rolled his eyes as he readjusted his glasses.
"Well, Santa looks jolly." Charlie Brown said.
"What's that one?" Marcie asked, pointing at a reindeer figurine.
"It's my reindeer." Hannah said. "We got this when I was just a baby."
"Aww. So sweet." Marcie smiled as Hannah handed the figurine to her. Carefully, she placed it on the mantle.
"What's inside the little red box?" Sally asked.
"I'm not sure, Sally." Heather said. "May we open it?"
"Sure, girls." Hannah replied as the kids gathered around the box. Inside was a yellow cloth protecting a snow globe.
"It's a snow globe!" Schroeder exclaimed happily. "And look! There's Santa's house!"
"It looks real!" Pigpen said.
"It sure does." Barney said.
"It's wonderful." Heather said, holding it in her hands.
"But I don't ever remember seeing it before." Hannah realized.
"Maybe it's been stored away up until this year." Peppermint Patty reasoned.
"Maybe, Pepper." Hannah shrugged.
"Well, it must be pretty important." Keesha said.
"It was wrapped up in this nice, soft-" Linus began.
"Blankey?" the kids all looked towards the stairs to see Baby Bop running towards them eagerly. "My blankey!"
"Hey, Baby Bop!" Charlie Brown waved.
"Hi, Baby Bop." Barney said.
"Hi Barney, hi Charlie Brown, hi Snoopy, hi everybody. Merry Christmas and happy blankey!" Baby Bop said, making some of the kids laugh.
"Merry blankies indeed." Linus said. "Come on, let's toast the year with some root-"
"Ooh. Boxes! What's in them? What's in the boxes?" Baby Bop asked, caught off guard by the boxes.
"These are decorations for Hannah's house." Schroeder explained.
"Ooh! Can I-I mean may I see them please? Please?" the three-year-old inquired.
"Certainly. I think there's plenty here for everyone to see." Barney said as Hannah nodded her head in agreement as everyone grabbed a few decorations.
"Goodie!" Baby Bop and Sally smiled.
Barney:
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Barney:
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la la, fa la la la.
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Baby Bop and Sally:
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
"I can sing the fa la la la las." Baby Bop beamed.
"Me too!" Sally agreed as they held festive dolls.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
See the blazing Yule before us,
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Follow me in merry measure,
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la, fa la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
While I tell of yuletide treasure,
Baby Bop and Sally:
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Don we now our gay apparel,
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la, fa la la la.
Barney, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Fa la la la la, fa la la la.
Baby Bop and Sally:
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
"I love Christmas time!" Lucy beamed happily as she dangled mistletoe over Schroeder's head. Eventually, the whole living room looked all festive.
"We're decorated inside and outside now, but it still seems there's something missing." Barney realized.
"What could it be, Big Purple?" Peppermint Patty inquired.
"Let me think. Valentines? Easter eggs? Flags and fireworks?" Barney asked as everyone laughed.
"The Christmas tree decorations!" the kids said in unison.
"We forgot to decorate the tree!" Heather chuckled.
"Oh. I was just gonna say that." Barney said.
"Well, at least Peppermint Patty, Marcie and I brought decorations." Franklin said, looking in his box before pulling out a beautifully wrapped present with a heart on the tag. "Whoops. Where did I put those decorations?"
"You're misplacing everything today, Franklin." Stephen chuckled as Franklin pulled out a tree skirt.
"Oh. what's this?" Baby Bop asked as she pointed at the tree skirt.
"That's a tree skirt, Baby Bop." Hannah said. "Thanks, Franklin, but I already have one."
"It's so pretty!" Sally said. "Can Baby Bop and I take turns wearing it? Please? Please?"
"That's not to wear, Baby Boppers; it goes under the Christmas tree." Peppermint Patty said.
"Oh, okay." Baby bop shrugged as Rerun began to pick out ornaments. "What are those?"
"Those are ornaments for the Christmas tree." Rerun said. "I'm older than you by two years and I know what these are and you don't?"
"And there's lots of them!" Stephen said as he and Franklin looked at the ornaments.
"We have lots of helpers too!" Hannah said.
"It's like Santa's workshop!" Rerun giggled.
"What would you like me to do?" Charlie Brown asked.
"Why don't you and Barney untangle these lights, Charlie Brown?" Keesha inquired.
"Sure. That would be easy." Barney said.
"I've untangled kites before; this is easy as pie." Charlie Brown realized as the two were handed a mussed up ball of lights.
"Sort of." Barney gulped.
"Do what I do." Charlie Brown suggested.
Barney, Baby Bop, Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging.
Not only green when summer's here
But also when it's cold and drear.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging.
"Like this, Barney. The rabbit goes out of the hole and under the tree…no. It's out of the tree and out of the hole…oh good grief." Charlie Brown sighed.
"This is harder than we thought." Barney said.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your candles shine so brightly.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your candles shine so brightly.
From base to summit gay and bright
There's only splendor for the sight.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your candles shine so brightly.
"I can do this! Really, I can!" Charlie Brown declared in determination. Peppermint Patty rolled her eyes.
"Good luck!" Peppermint Patty called out.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging.
Not only green when summer's here
But also when it's cold and drear.
Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree
Your leaves are so unchanging.
The kids finished hanging up the last ornament on the tree before checking in on Charlie Brown and Barney.
"Oh lookey, it's so pretty!" Baby Bop said to Sally.
"All because of us!" Sally beamed.
"Girl power!" Lucy said.
"It sure is pretty." Stephen smiled.
"Are the lights ready, Barney and Charlie Brown?" Hannah asked.
"Oh, kind of." Charlie Brown called out, tangled in the lights. The kids giggled as Barney made the lights work. "Tada?"
"Charlie Brown. Barney." The kids giggled.
"I think we both need a little bit of help." Barney said.
"What can we do?" Heather asked.
"When I count to three, everybody blows. Okay?" Barney suggested.
"Okay!" the kids said, slightly confused.
"One…two…three…blow." Charlie Brown counted as they all did so. All the lights flew onto the tree, except one.
"Wait a minute! We missed one!" Baby Bop said as she, Rerun and Baby Bop blew on the last light. "Look! Look what we did! Look what we did!"
Rerun's attention fell on the snow. "Ooh! Look, Baby Bop! Snow! SNOW!"
"That's right, Rerun." Sally said, turning to Baby Bop. "We've already been there in it."
"May I go outside? Please?" the three-year-old asked.
"I'll go out with you." Barney said as Franklin grabbed a carrot from the kitchen and handed it to the purple dinosaur. "Thank you, Franklin."
"You're welcome." Franklin smiled.
"Yay!" Baby Bop said happily.
"Just wait until you see all of the pretty decorations!" Sally said.
"I wanna make snow angels, Barney!" Baby bop said.
"I'll make a really big one." Barney said as they went outside, Baby Bop cheering 'SNOW!' all the while.
"Good grief." Hannah chuckled as Snoopy ran into the kitchen and returned with a basket of cookies. "So, who's ready for cookies?"
"I am!" Peppermint Patty said. "There's nothing like nice warm cookies, Hannah. Hey, it feels a little cold in here."
"You're wearing sandals, Peppermint Patty." Keesha giggled.
"Or it's because I had the door open for Barney and Baby Bop." Stephen suggested. "They went outside to play in the snow."
Snoopy's ears went up as he whispered a thought to Hannah. "You're right." Hannah said. "Are they gonna be coming in anytime soon?"
"Yes, I think so." Pigpen said, looking out the window.
"Then I guess we better leave all the cookies here so there'll be enough." Peppermint Patty said as she licked her chops.
"That's a good idea, Sir." Marcie agreed.
"Hey Hannah, I don't think your parents will understand how we all decorated so quickly, but it looks terrific." Pigpen said.
"Indeed. Santa's gonna love this." Linus agreed.
"And you know what? He's coming sooner than we think." Schroeder recalled.
"It's too bad he can't be here right now though." Keesha said.
"Yeah, I want to make sure I get all of my gifts." Lucy said.
"What'd you wish for?" Stephen asked.
"I asked for a dollhouse, a pair of skates, a new dress, a diamond necklace, earrings, a new doll, a paints set and a golden ring with a sapphire in the middle." Lucy explained.
"Oh good grief." Schroeder groaned.
"Well, we can share some cookies now." Linus suggested.
"Ho, ho, ho! Ho, ho, ho! Did somebody say cookies?" a voice asked. "Whoa, you reindeer! Whoa Comet and Cupid and…Dandruff and Blister! Ho, ho, ho!"
The kids giggled. "That sounded like Santa Claus." Stephen said as Lucy perked up.
Almost on cue, Santa arrived down the stairs, although he looked shorter with yellow skin.
"Looks like he has bad jaundice." Sally whispered to Charlie Brown as he rolled his eyes in disbelief.
"Oh, look! It is Santa Claus!" Lucy exclaimed as the 'Santa' looked around.
"Where? Where?" the 'Santa' asked. "I mean; I AM Santa Claus! Ho, ho, ho! Now then, where are those cookies?"
Marcie giggled as she noticed that the 'Santa' had a tail and purple spots. "Of course, the chubby guy loves cookies." Peppermint Patty recalled.
"The cookies are right here...if you're really Santa." Robert said.
"Sure, I'm really Santa. I've got the red suit, I've got the jolly laugh-ho, ho, ho-and I know what all of you want for Christmas." The 'Santa' said.
"Right." The kids said in disbelief.
"Presents. That's it." The 'Santa' realized.
"If you're really Santa Claus, then why're you carrying our laundry bag?" Hannah asked as Heather giggled.
"Eww! Is that what this is-I mean, it looks a lot like my bag of toys and goodies. Sort of." By now, all the kids were laughing.
"Maybe you need glasses, Mr. Claus." Linus suggested, giggling. "Wanna try mine on?"
"No thanks, little guy." The Santa said. "So, how about those cookies?"
"But Santa, before you eat, there are so many things we want to hear about." Keesha said.
"A LOT of things too!" Sally exclaimed.
"You would?" the 'Santa' asked.
"Definitely." Schroeder agreed.
"Hey, we don't get a chance to talk to Santa every day." Robert said.
"You don't?" The kids giggled.
"And its pure daytime too." Peppermint Patty added, noticing a loop hole.
"And now, we've got you all to ourselves." Lucy said, scratching his chin.
"Uh oh." The 'Santa' gulped.
Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, lean your ear this way.
Don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say.
Christmas Eve is coming soon.
Lucy:
Now you dear old man,
Whisper what you'll bring to be,
Tell me if you can.
"Follow me, guys. I'll let you in on the plan." The 'Santa' said.
"Oh goodie." Lucy beamed.
BJ:
When the clock is striking twelve,
When you're fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black,
With my pack I'll creep.
Charlie Brown:
All the stocking you will find,
Hanging in a row,
Mine will be the shortest one,
You'll be sure to know.
"Ho, ho, ho! How about telling me what you'd like?" the 'Santa' asked.
Robert:
Hannah wants…
Hannah:
A pair of skates!
Robert:
Stephen wants…
Stephen:
A sled!
Robert:
Keesha wants…
Keesha:
A picture book! Yellow, blue, and red!
Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest.
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus.
You will know the best.
Robert:
Sally wants…
Sally:
A brand new dress!
Linus and Lucy:
Rerun just wants toys.
Robert:
Patty wants…
Peppermint Patty:
A game to play with other girls and boys.
Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest.
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus.
You will know the best.
Robert:
Franklin wants…
Franklin:
A new guitar!
Robert:
Pigpen wants…
Pigpen:
A bike!
Heather:
Charlie Brown says Santa knows just what he would like.
Barney's friends and Peanuts Gang:
Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest.
Choose for me, dear Santa Claus.
You will know the best.