December 24th: Magic Dust

'Twas the night before Christmas, excitement ran through our house.

Santa's milk and cookies were set (secretly out for my spouse).

We had food for the reindeers, they wouldn't need to steal,

And when the first star appeared, we enjoyed a festive Slavic meal.

Later that night, Santa's extra cookies, we did eat.  Making the girls wait to open their Christmas eve presents was no easy feat!

The Magic Dust

Since this summer, Samara has been asking for magic pony dust that turns her my little ponies into real ponies.  Luckily, our neighbor has real ponies and was gracious to let me borrow one for a few hours.  While Ben and the girls were out delivering goodies to neighbors, a package containing the 'magic' dust was delivered.  

Samara sprinkled the magic dust, which she expected "to be more sparkly and not just look like cut up paper."  She said the magic words and we waited five minutes, per the instructions.  Five minutes later, we went outside in search of the pony.

The girls were so surprised to find the dust was not phony!  Their reactions were adorable.  After a few minutes, Samara said, "maybe our neighbor brought the pony over.  No, she's out of town.  The dust must really work!  But I did think the real one would look more like Princess Celestia." (see picture above of play pony)

I had horses growing up but it has been a while since I've actually handled them.  I did not expect the little pony to move SO fast or be so strong as I walked him over.  It was quite the sight.  I felt like Santa, with my jolly round belly bouncing as I tried to keep up with the pony, not slip in the snow, and balance the hay bucket.  I giggled as I thought how funny I must look.   I expected to go the back way and was so worried my family would see me on their way back from delivering goodies.  Ben actually did see me coming up their street onto ours and was able to turn before the girls noticed me.  Phew!

After feeding the pony a carrot and fielding questions about the dust, we read/acted out the nativity (each having multiple parts) and then it was off to bed for the babies.

While sweet dreams danced in their heads, stockings were filled, gifts set out, and the pony returned.

Today marks a year since we "moved" into our house.  Needless to say, this Christmas Eve was a tad bit more relaxing than last year.

On the walk home, my heart was full of gratitude for all of our many blessings and the miracle of a babe born so long ago in a stable, perhaps not unlike the one to which I'd just returned the pony.  I am so grateful for Christ's birth, life and mission, all of which make it possible for me right my wrongs and be with my little family forever.