Popcorn Garland. Melissa babysits Jacob and Tegan for Sam and Callen to go to a game. They make popcorn to make a popcorn garland for the Hanna Christmas tree but eat most of it before they can! December 7th. Melissa's point of view.

I arrive at the Hanna household at 1:30 a full 15 minutes before I was told to be here for. I knock on the door and then look down the pathway I just came up at the neighbourhood. There's children playing, riding bikes and playing tag. The sun is high in the sky and I put my right hand to my eyes as it's so bright while holding the paper bag of supplies with my left. It's lovely to see that the old style neighbourhoods still exist. G comes to the door a few seconds later. I'm surprised to see G at the other side of the door. I was expecting Sam. I spot Jacob colouring behind him at the table. His brown eyes light up when he spots me. Jacob is always happy to see me. Tegan not so much, I think she's used to G babysitting.

'Hey Mels.' G greets me.

'Hi.'

'Aunt Melissa!' Jacob dives towards us with a smile and I shrug as G raises an eyebrow as Jacob passes and promptly hugs me, grabbing my hand.

'Jacob.' I greet him back laughing.

'Uncle G are you not going to invite Aunt Melissa in?' Jacob steps back and looks at G suspiciously.

'I was going to…' G starts. I laugh, he's being told off by a 6 year old. Jacob holds my hand as I move to step inside.

'It's ok Jacob. I was about to come in.'

'What are we doing today?' Jacob asks as G lets me in with a smile. I motion to the paper bag in my arms. Jacob is distracted giving G a reprieve from his telling off.

'Well I thought me, you and Tegan could make popcorn and then make a popcorn garland for the tree.'

'Awesome! Tegan we're making popcorn!' Jacob calls to his older sister who has just come from the kitchen with a glass of milk in her hand. I immediately move to put the paper bag on the kitchen counter.

'Did I hear popcorn being mentioned?' Sam peers around the kitchen door and then immediately hugs me as he comes out from the kitchen.

'You did,' I laugh as I pull out the supplies from the bag. Oil, string, corn kernels and the sugar. 'We're making a popcorn tree garland while you're at the game with Uncle G.'

'Sounds awesome. You're playing cool Aunt Melissa today I see.' Sam comments. I step into the kitchen.

'Who says I'm playing?' I punch him jokingly in the arm.

'No comment.' G laughs.

'Can we start now?' Jacob pleads from behind me. 'Please…'

'Go wash your hands then.' I answer him. 'Hey Tigger! You wanna join in?'

Tegan simply looks at me then back down at her phone. I'll take that as a no. Tigger Tegan doesn't want to join in. Sam joins G in the living room.

'Where's the pans with lids?' I ask Sam and he points. Jacob runs back as I grab a pan from the cupboard.

'What can I do?' Jacob wants to get stuck in.

'Go give your uncle a hug then we'll get started.'

'Ok.' Jacob rushes over towards his uncle and gives him a hug and G gives me a thumbs up.

'Be good for Aunt Melissa.'

'I will Uncle Sam. Enjoy the game.' Jacob promises as he rushes back to my side with a smile. I've already poured oil into the bottom of the pan and down the sides. G and Sam leave with a goodbye to me and Tegan. Tegan is unaware she's distracted by her phone.

'What can I do?' Jacob asks

'Well Jacob you can put 2 small handfuls of kernels into the pot for me.'

Jacob grabs the bag and opens it carefully before doing as I ask. He throws them in dramatically as if he's performing some kind of magic trick. It's cute. He's a sweet kid really. Once he's finished I put the pan onto the stove and turn it on putting it onto a medium heat and the lid on quickly. The kitchen quickly fills up with sound of popping popcorn. I look at Jacob who covers his ears but is still smiling. It quietens down to 1 or 2 pops every few seconds and I turn the heat off. I move the pan and place it back onto the counter aware of where Jacob is at all times. I notice the sugar bag is closest to Jacob.

'Jake can you grab the sugar for me?' I invite him to join in. I'm aware there's only little things he can do to help. Jacob does as I ask quickly and I theatrically pull the lid up slowly and the buttery aroma hits us. Jacob smiles as our popcorn is finally visible. 'Shall we put some sugar on it?'

'Yeah!' Jacob opens up the bag of sugar and enthusiastically grabs a handful of sugar and sprinkles it into the pan. I place the lid back on the pan and give it a shake.

'I think it's done. Time for a taste test.' I grab a bowl and tip the popcorn into it. Jacob is quick to try it with me closely behind him. Tegan also grabs a kernel to try as she joins us in the kitchen. The smell has lured her over. I put the kernel in my mouth and start to chew. It's really sweet but is really nice. It doesn't taste homemade. 'Another batch?'

'Oh yes.'

'Tegan, do you want to join in?'

'Ok. Can I supervise?'

'Of course and you two are my two chief taste testers.'

'Goodie!' Jacob exclaims grabbing a handful of kernels and putting them in his mouth. Tegan also grabs a handful. I grab some more too. It's just too nice, somehow half the bowl has gone within minutes of it being filled. We make another 3 batches but as soon as it's placed in the bowl we can't stop ourselves and eat it. We stop after the 4th batch and put on a movie. Jacob sits in the middle, hugging a cushion. Tegan places her phone on the table next to her but spends the movie checking it every 3 minutes or so.

'Can we make some more popcorn?' Tegan inquires as the movie ends. I smile. Tegan asking to do something with me? I stand up and motion both kids back to the kitchen with a smile. Sam and G arrive home as we finish the 5th batch of popcorn and place it in the bowl. They immediately investigate.

'That smells good.' G comments, grabbing a handful or kernels. Sam follows suit when Tegan and Jacob grab some more too. I stand at the counter smiling. Today has been a success.

'It tastes brilliant too Uncle G.' Tegan suggests enthusiastically.

'It does too.' G confirms as he finishes his popcorn.

Sam looks at the tree and the unused string still on the counter where I left it hours before.

'What happened to the popcorn garland?'

'Umm… we kind of ate all the popcorn.' Tegan states smiling.

'What Tegan said?' Jacob adds.

'How many batches have you made?' Sam asks the dreaded question. I work it out, counting on my fingers as I go.

'5.' I answer him and G laughs. 'But we were planning on having a game of basketball later to burn it off.'

'Well that's alright then…'