Both Kitchens Are Very Busy At Marleewood!

Marlee was so excited to know that her daddy had seen that dratted blue 4 wheeler! She had to chuckle when he told her that it had just disappeared. She said, "I know, Daddy, that's what I kept trying to tell people. You know what, I am just going to forget about it. I think it's a good day to make cookies. Some of my friends think so too. We have been having lots of shoppers at the Holiday Shop. It's so nice to give everyone a cookie just to say Merry Christmas and thanks for shopping here, don't you think?"
Marlee's daddy agreed, gave her a kiss goodbye and went to work as usual. He still couldn't figure out that blue wheeler, but he had lots of work to do and some Christmas shopping to do too. It was fun shopping for Marlee and her mama. They seemed to like what he picked out for them.
Back in the kitchens Marlee and some of her friends were really busy making cookies. All kinds of cookies. And Ginny's Great Aunt Diane also brought
by some cookies that could be decorated and some that already were. (Sawyer was secretly excited about that because he knew that they would be good, he had eaten some before.)
 While the girls were making cookies, he was in the Community room writing a letter to Santa. He knew that at this time of day it would be quiet. He had to think through his letter this year. There was something special that he wanted to wish for, but he didn't know if it was possible. He had seen something on his Leap Frog that he wanted to do something about. Maybe a letter to Santa would help. Hopefully we will find out before Christmas. It seems that Marlee wanted something that wouldn't fit under the Christmas tree too. I had almost forgotten about that. I guess we will have to wait and see won't we?

What in the world was Marlee doing on top of the counter? Oh my goodness, she was cutting out cookie dough. She had better be careful. I'm sure Lollie is watching her very carefully, probably with a big grin on her face.

Yes, I was exactly right.
 Marlee likes to eat cookie dough too, remember? She liked the dough better than the baked cookie that day. Such fun!
Bradshaw is also busy making some cookies. I think he is pleased with how his cookies taste even before they are baked. He and Marlee are just alike in the kitchen. She loves cookie dough too.
Marlee has a new friend that asked if she could make some cookies with her. Her name is Harleigh. She is making Oreo cookie balls. I think she used that big old rolling pin to smash them with. Yummy cookies. Harleigh saw the recipe and pictures on the computer. Her mom told her that they looked good, so go for it! Her Grandma Pat is proud of her, that's for sure.

 I see some that Marlee has sprinkled some colored sugar on. They are going to be good too, aren't they? But first she had to use cookie cutters. What color is the cookie cutter that Marlee is using? Is it red or is it green? If you answer red and green you are absolutely right!
 Oh, here is a picture of Marlee. She decided that if it looks good, if it smells good, then it must taste good. Good girl, Marlee! Actually, I think she is testing to see if the baked cookie or the cookie dough tastes the best.

So what happens when cookies are baking in the oven? Do they smell good? Do you ever go out to the kitchen to see what your grandma or mama is baking? Well, the little ones in the Daycare are going to do the same thing. Kaysyn is grinning from ear to ear. She wants a cookie! So does Addie, she is ready to go to the kitchen!
It was so nice of Kenyan's grandma to help in the Daycare today. She is all ready to start handing out the snacks!

Andy and Ryan have their daddy helping today. They have a brand new baby sister. I have heard that they are good helpers with the new baby. Good for them.
Marlee is going to have a new baby sister soon too. She loves to help with babies.

There standing by the Christmas tree are three (3) hungry children, Kylee, Aadon, and Kenlee. They are so ready for some cookies.
 I think that Marlee, Bradshaw, Ryan, Andy, and Harleigh were very wise to make so many cookies, don't you?
Brandon and his mama also brought in some treats that they had made at their house this afternoon. Wasn't that nice of them? They had some very special company. His mama's sisters helped make candy and cupcakes and all kinds of treats. He was in luck today. He got to help too!
Marleewood smells so good. Guess what, it smells just like Christmas cookies.
I think that I would love to shop at Marleewood, how about you?

The Secret Agents Arrive At Marleewood

Do you remember when Marlee went price checking for more Christmas merchandise? And do you remember that she ordered more things at higher prices thinking that she would make more money?
 What was some of the merchandise that she ordered? Let's see, I think some Christmas suits, and hats, and pajamas. She ordered lots of things that she probably shouldn't have. Well, Felix saw the order on Marlee's tablet and sent pictures of her order to the secret agents. Guess what? Yes, they intercepted the order and had some of those things sent to them. They ordered just their size and they fit perfectly. They slipped into the back of the Magic Train that Grandma Lu had told the children about the last time she read them a story. Since they were in disguise in their Christmas outfits no one questioned whether they should be on the Magic Train.
When the train stopped at the local train station the Secret Agents slipped into the upstairs through an open window. The window that Felix had left open for them, of course.
They quietly slipped into a small room that had only one (1) chair and a very small Christmas tree. The man was holding a small kitten that also was in disguise. He had a Christmas stocking cap on. (That kitten was a cousin of Felix.) Beside the chair was a small Christmas tree that had all different colored lights and was topped with a Christmas stocking cap on also. Surrounding the Christmas tree were some brightly wrapped "gifts" that Felix had arranged.
It was not known to anyone but Felix, but these two (2) secret agents were from the North Pole. Their big boss was Santa Claus and he had sent them to Marleewood. There had been an accident at the North Pole warehouse where they loaded up the toy 4 wheelers for good little boys and girls that had put them on their wish list in their Santa letters.
 The little blue 4 wheeler that had been seen only by Marlee and at last by her daddy, was supposed to be on Santa's sleigh;  It was supposed to go to a little boy that lived on a farm. Oh, how he wanted a blue 4 wheeler. He sure did hope that Santa made his wish come true. He had tried ever so hard to be good all year long.

Well like most mysteries, there was a twist and turn. This story was no exception. Do you also remember the rider on that little blue 4 wheeler that Marlee saw? Think really hard. Remember the hand signal that neither Marlee nor her daddy could understand? The rider was signaling for the Grandmother of the Secret Agents. It seemed like she was never there when she was needed lately. But this evening was different. It had snowed and there were little twinkle lights that made Marleewood look like a Winter Wonderland, and who should appear, but the secret agents' Grandmother!

 She saw the hand signal and picked up the little toy blue 4 wheeler. The rider whispered in her ear. She gave the rider a nod and up the stairs she went. (No one was there but the secret agents). She gave the two (2) a stern look and said, "You, my dear grandchildren! I love you truly, but you have been driving little Marlee crazy! Now take your little blue 4 wheeler and skidaddle back to the North Pole as fast as you can. There is a little boy sound asleep with a bell in his hand hoping against hope that Santa is real. You will make it so!"
There was a swish of wind and the chair was empty! No Secret Agents, and no Felix.
Christmas magic. However, don't think that you won't hear from Felix again.
I want to read the end of the story on Christmas morning. We should be able to tie up some of those loose ends I  would think anyway....

Grandma Lu Tells The Children About A Magic Train

After Marlee's daddy took charge of things and took Stashia home, Grandma Lu went into the kitchen and grabbed a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate. "Boy, things were pretty crazy around here today, that's for sure. I wonder if anyone wants to hear a story." She took her cup and her drink and headed for the Daycare room. Some of the babies were sleeping, but many of the older children were awake. Marlee and Andy were putting finishing touches on the Christmas trees. Grandma Lu smiled and started thinking of some of the babies she had seen shopping at the little store down the street. They were all decked out for Christmas and helping their moms with their shopping. Someday those little ones would be here helping decorate Christmas trees and hopefully listen to her tell her stories.
"Well, I have a fun story to tell the children today. Hopefully, they will like to hear one. I feel like sitting in my easy chair. It's been awhile.
When Grandma Lu walked in the sitting room she was so very pleased. There sat her old easy chair waiting for her with an old quilt that a friend of hers had used a long time ago. "How thoughtful of my friends. They know how much I loved her." She sat her book down in the chair, then she went to look for Marlee and her friends. Today they all were ready for a story. Oh, Grandma Lu was tickled. They all went back to the sitting room. Grandma Lu picked up her book and asked a question. "Who believes in Santa Claus?" Along with the chatter and giggling she began her story with her familiar grin that she always wore when she began one of her fun stories.

"Well once upon a time there was a little boy that didn't know if he believed in Santa or not. Some of his friends had said they didn't believe anymore. He laid in his bed on Christmas Eve waiting to hear the jingle of Santa's bells on his sleigh. It seemed like he waited a long long time, but he didn't hear a thing and finally fell asleep.
Far away, James and Ginny were on a magic train! Yes they were. They had gone back to the far away land where they lived for Christmas. Their parents said, "Let's go for a train ride. Won't that be fun? Guess what, we can wear pajamas if we want to." Well, they decided that they wouldn't do that, but it was fun to think about. Have any of you ever been for a train ride? No, well I am sure that someday you might. I was six (6) years old the first time I got to ride in a train. Oh, it was so much fun. Lots of my school friends went along that day. Nowadays they have really fast trains that you can sleep in or go clear across the country.
Well anyway, the train that Ginny and James were on was so much fun. They could have hot chocolate, and even color pictures. And.. guess what, they even saw Santa Claus! Yes they did. The train went right to the North Pole where Santa Claus has a great big city where oodles and oodles of Elves help make all the Christmas gifts for the children all over the world.
Do you see the picture of Santa handing Ginny a jingle bell? I wonder if that is from his sleigh. James got one too. The story goes that once you hear Santa's bell you will always believe in Santa and his Elves.
Grandma Lu told the children that the little boy had a dream while he slept. He dreamed that he rode on that magic train. He also had received a bell from Santa Claus. Well, that poor little boy lost the bell because he had a hole in his pocket. Oh dear. Well, Grandma Lu read on and on and finished the story by telling the children that the little boy that we shall call Chris, actually received the bell in a pretty wrapped box under the Christmas tree. He was so happy. Guess what, only he and his little sister could hear the bell ring. No one else could. Oh, that sounds like Christmas magic, doesn't it?
Grandma Lu told the children that there was a legend (an old old story told to many people for many many years) that said that as long as you can hear Santa's sleigh bells there is a Santa Claus.

 Grandma Lu kind of made things up as she went along, but the children loved the story whether it was true or not. Imagining such a fun story is so much fun at Christmas, isn't it?
Well, it was fun for Ginny and James and their parents too, but there was something happening on their train that they had no clue about. The two (2) secret agents boarded that train. They stayed there even after Ginny and James got off and went home. The secret agents were bound for Marleewood! They would arrive very soon. I can't wait to see what happens!

Marlee's Daddy Keeps His Promise

If you were here to read what happened at Marleewood yesterday, you will remember what an outright noisy mess there was. Stashia had sneaked into Marleewood to make sure that Marlee was in fact seeing the blue 4 wheeler. About the time she was going to tell Marlee that she had sneaked in, there were two (2) other dogs that started barking and people started yelling and oh whew! what a mess! (I barely took a breath there, but it was quite the commotion.)
Well you will be surprised, but right in the middle of this craziness, Marlee's daddy walked in. He still had on his work clothes. He had been gone for two (2) days. He had to go help some people with his big equipment. Those folks had gotten snowed in their homes because of a terrible snow storm. So he and some of the other people that he worked with traveled several hours to help them out.
Marlee had missed him and so had her mama. What a wonderful surprise to see him.
I would say his timing was pretty good, because it seemed like when he walked in the animals all got quiet. He looked at Stashia with a stern face and said, "Stashia, how did you get here?" No one but Marlee can talk with Stashia, so all Stashia could do was hang her head. Marlee's daddy said, "Okay, I will take you back to the Mini Farm. I think it's time that everybody has some quiet time, don't you?" When he asked that question there was no doubt what he meant. Dad's are like that sometimes; mamas too. They don't have to yell just "the look" that says, "I mean it" will do for the most part. He and Marlee walked outside and had a quiet little chat before he left.
He noticed that she was more quiet than usual, so he asked her if something was bothering her. Marlee just couldn't help but tell him everything. That's what daddies and mamas are for isn't it? You are supposed to tell them your troubles if you have some. Your parents can usually find a way to help you.  Well, this was the perfect opportunity for Marlee to tell him about the blue 4 wheeler. So she told him everything from start to finish. She told him that she had told Grandma B and her cousin and A.J. to look out the window, but they never ever saw it.
She also told her daddy that she thought maybe the rider on that blue 4 wheeler was in trouble and needed a friend.
Marlee's daddy thought about it for a minute and told her that she could be right. He said that after he got back and changed into some clean clothes he would take a look around and see if he could see anything.
 Maybe just maybe, her daddy could solve this little mystery and everything would be alright again.

Marlee's daddy did keep his promise. He went home changed his clothes and went back to Marleewood. He didn't go because he thought he would see or find anything, but because he had promised Marlee that he would. He had a very strict rule. It was this, "if you promise someone that you are going to do something, you must do it if at all possible." Also, if you cannot keep a promise, you tell that person why.
When he got back to Marleewood the Christmas lights were on and shining brightly. Aren't they pretty? Well, Christmas lights aren't bright if there were just a few, but there were lots and lots of lights on so he could see fairly well out there on the parking lot. The first thing that happened, is that he could hear a motor running. He quickly turned around and looked towards the sound and he saw it!! There was the blue 4 wheeler! He yelled and said, "Stay, please, if you are in trouble I will help you. Marlee is my little daughter and she is worried about you. Let us help you."

 His words were lost in the sound of the blue 4 wheeler leaving. Then all was still but the sound of a cat meowing somewhere.

Grandma Lu Comes Back To Marleewood

Grandma Lu had not visited Marlee and her friends at Marleewood ever since she had an allergy attack and started sneezing. Felix, that sneaky cat, had been sitting on her old easy chair. Grandma Lu is very allergic to cats so she said that she would be back when the cat was gone and a clean quilt on her chair. You may remember that Marlee's Papa had taken Felix outside, however, he had sneaked back in and was hiding upstairs under a Christmas tree. He had successfully hidden Marlee's tablet and was now watching out the window just in case his buddies, the secret agents would show up. Besides that he loved to sit in the sun.
Marlee had been very busy this week. In fact, she had not even showed up for work today. Her mama and daddy as well as both of her grandmas had taken her shopping, had visited Santa Claus in a big city. Today Marlee had tried to convince the Grinch that a snack would let him like Christmas too.
Grandma Lu slowly opened the door to Marleewood, and took a deep breath. Wonderful, she didn't sneeze. She stood in the hallway for a moment just to make sure she was okay. She always liked to stand there for a minute anyway to look at Ginny's wonderful message hanging on the wall. It was a beautifully framed blackboard that said, "Merry Christmas" in Ginnie's own spelling. While Grandma Lu was standing there admiring the blackboard, here came Grandma B and Marlee all in a hurry. They said "Hi", but rushed right by her. They hurried to the kitchen to make themselves a cup of hot chocolate to warm themselves up. The children in the Daycare had already had their snack. It seems that Bradshaw had a knack in the kitchen too. He had made them a "mug cake." Those are good, but can be a bit messy to make at times.
She had an idea for a Christmas story today. Grandma B had told her that Marlee felt sorry for the Grinch because he always had to stand in the corner. So she thought she might talk to the children about the Grinch today. But as she walked towards the Daycare, no one seemed to pay any attention to her. Well, she sure didn't like that! She was used to having the children begging her to please tell them a story. Hmm, not today. "I wonder what's going on around here today," she thought.
When she walked towards the sitting room there sat a girl with two (2) dogs and a hamster. Then she heard some growling and saw Stashia of all things. Stashia knew that her friend, Marlee, was seeing that blue 4 wheeler and couldn't convince anyone that it was real. So Stashia sneaked into Grandma B's Ranger and slipped in the door, easy peezy! Well eveything was cool until the three (3) dogs saw each other.  Oh, boy, the barking and carrying on was so loud you just can't believe it.
 Well, this is something you will not believe ever. There was Felix, sitting at the top of the stairs laughing his head off. This was just the diversion that he needed. He couldn't have planned it any better if he tried. Oh, wait 'til he told the big boss, He was sure that he would get lobster, maybe, or some good tuna for sure for his Christmas dinner.

Marlee Thinks That Life IS Like A Box Of Chocolates!

Marleewood had received so much community support that at a weekly meeting Marlee and her friends and the Grandmas decided that they needed to give back. Marleewood was huge and had rooms galore to expand for the needs of the folks in their small town.
Grandma B had gotten a call from a small Home School group that Brandon and his family belonged to. They would like to  meet at Marleewood from time to time. Grandma B thought that was a great idea. They had the space and all they would need to do is bring the materials that they would need. They could even round up some snacks if they knew ahead of time when they would be coming.
Marlee and a new friend, Bradshaw, seem to have some of the same likes and dislikes, just like Sawyer and Cooper. It was going to be a great friendship. He was a little bit older and taller and could secretly keep an eye out for her.
Marlee's Grandma B loves to do crafts and make pretty things. She said that for now  they would call the new room the Craft Room. Marlee and her friends could make things, write their letters and learn new things too. Actually that room was big enough for more than one (1) activity at a time.
Today the Home School group was going to write letters to Santa Claus. How fun. Oh look, there are new friends that are also writing to Santa, Ryan and Andy. Oh and Bradshaw is giving it a go too. Isn't this new room great? It has lots of room for everyone.

All of sudden there was a crash and a lot of yelling and words like, "Oh no, Forrest, oh no!"
Then there was quiet and before anyone could hardly move there was another crash. Oh boy, what in the world could have happened do you think?
Oh my goodness gracious sakes alive! There is a little kitten in that Christmas tree. Evidently, he thinks that he should be part of the Christmas tree decorations because he just keeps getting back in the tree. Oh dear. He is just a little kitten he doesn't know any better. I'm sure he figures that a tree is a tree and trees are made for kittens to climb! How in the world is his lady going to get him out of there? I guess I shouldn't laugh, but he is so cute, isn't he? Guess what, his name is Forrest just like the man in a movie that said, "Life is just like a box of chocolates, you just never know what you are going to get."
I think that fits, don't you?
Oh oh, there is another problem in the Craft Room. There is an area in one corner where Mamas can come with their babies and wrap surprise Christmas gifts. Today there was a mama that has extra help from her baby. She wants to help wrap some gifts too. Maybe she is looking for the tape. It seems that her mama has lost it several times already!
 Do you like to help wrap Christmas presents? It's lots of fun, isn't it?
I hope you didn't forget about Felix. He is on special alert because of all the commotion downstairs. He has in fact, hidden Marlee's tablet so that she cannot stop him from communication with the special agents.

Marleewood Has An Upstairs That Is Seldom Used

Like the title of this story says, Marleewood does have an upstairs. Someone has even decorated it beautifully. Not very many people go up there, though, because there are so many stairs. Marlee's legs are still pretty short and so she stays downstairs for the most part. Of course, some of the Grandmas don't like to go up so many stairs either.
 However, there is one fellow that has discovered that it is the perfect place for him to keep his undercover identity. There is a great hiding place under the Christmas tree in the upstairs living room too. He also gets perfect cell phone reception up there. Felix has found a place to hide and also be comfortable. A place where Grandma Lu and the rest of those mean people will never find him.  Well, "best made plans of mice and men"...(an old old saying that Grandma Lu says sometimes when things don't work out the way she wants them too.)
For one thing against Felix's favor was that those awful people had set a timer that when it got dark, all the lights came on! Oh no, the first night could be a disaster for Felix I'm afraid.
Little known to him there was a little cowboy decorating one of several trees up there. He was a fierce little warrior that probably wouldn't stand for any nonsense from Felix.
It looks to me like he is ready for action. Unbeknownst to any of the folks at Marleewood he had been in contact with the Texas cowboys that were Marlee's friends. They had sent him a letter that said, "Bradshaw, Secret Agents Coming Soon! Help Marlee if you can! She needs a friend."
He had found that letter right by the Snow Birds that were perched on an end table up there. In fact, they were still wearing their winter coats.
When Marlee was writing her letter to Santa she had also written a secret letter that she had given the Cardinal on Grandma B's Christmas tree. He had successfully carried it on his wings to Texas. Some folks say that Cardinals have a magic tendency that keeps a watchful eye out for the folks that need help.
Bradshaw was ready, willing, and able to help, but one of the Texans (Orion) had not given him a clue Who, What, and Where. Those were the most important clues of all, but they were missing. So all he could do is keep his eyes open; one: for the secret agents and two (2): on Marlee.
Marleewood was going to be really busy tomorrow. Felix will not be happy at all because there will be a Craft Room opening tomorrow with lots and lots of visitors. The doors will be opening and closing a lot.

Orion has done his duty and is happily awaiting Christmas at his house with his family.
If you look carefully, Marlee's tablet has been slipped under a chair. Surely Felix can't be that sneaky can he?