Four Collie Birds and a Wreath

"Steffie, would you like to make a Christmas Wreath?"

"Mommy, do you know how?"

"I'm not Martha Stewart but I think we can do this. I bought down a box of decorations. Pick out the items you want to put on the wreath." Cora Millicent smiled.

It was Christmas time and the small cottage was comfortable and nicely decorated for Christmas. Steffie had a doll and a bear by the tree. There were blue shining lights on the tree. Steffie wanted the blue lights and her favorite doll with the red velvet dress and the big brown teddy bear with the sad eyes by the tree. They made the tree come to life.

"Mommy! "Here is my toy soldier, gingerbread man, little doll, teddy bear and what are these birds?"

"Collie birds. They are part of The Twelve Days Of Christmas Song. There should be four of them."

"Found them!" Steffie exclaimed.

"There should be some candy canes. We can use them, too."

"Here are the candy canes. Oh look! A pretty lavender wreath with a pearl. I also found Santa and two of his reindeer. Can we use these, too?"

"Of course. I think we have enough. Let's get started."

Mother and daughter made the wreath and now it was time to put the treasures on the wreath. Santa and his two reindeer on top, a candy cane by Santa and one by the reindeer, a doll on the right side, gingerbread man on the other. The lavender wreath was by the doll and the toy soldier was by the doll along with the teddy bear. After all , the doll and soldier were from "The Nutcracker." The collie birds were every other one sitting by the doll, soldier and gingerbread man and Santa.

"Mommy, it is so cute. Daddy will be so proud of us when he sees this. Can we hang it on the door?"

"Of course, Steffie. Daddy will like it especially when I tell him how great a job you did. I can hear the four collie birds singing and see Clara dancing with the nutcracker. Santa will be so proud."

Steffie and her mother went into the house to drink some hot chocolate and eat some sugar cookies. It had started to snow. Steffie ran outside to brush the snow off.

"Honey, it will be okay. The snow won't hurt it."

Steffie came back inside.

Just then Steffie and her mother heard sleigh bells. It was Christmas Eve. Steffie's eyes got big and she heard Santa's reindeer pawing the roof. Santa didn't stay long. He left and Steffie and his mother heard him laughing and calling out to his reindeer.

Steffie and her mother ran outside. Santa had left four live collie birds, a doll wearing a purple velvet dress, a big smiling beige bear, a blue turquoise ring and a Martha Stewart Craft Book.

Steffie and her mother bought the collie birds in along with the other gifts. The cage was big enough so that the birds had plenty of room.

"Oh Mommy, the collie birds are beautiful. I love the other gifts. How do you like yours?" Steffie's blue eyes were aglow and her blonde hair was shining like sunshine.

Cora put on her ring and hugged her daughter. The collie birds were singing. This was a good Christmas.

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