Ways to End the Year

1. By finishing a book.
2. Learning a new skill.
3. Trying a new food.
4. Letting go of a grudge.
5. Serving someone in need.
6. Reconnecting with someone who you haven't spoken with in a while.
7. Cleaning your room.
8. Eating your favorite food.
9. Sincerely thanking someone who helped you this year.
10. By getting enough rest.

Love and Cheer

A warm fire and the smell of cinnamon rolls in the oven fill the house, as does the laughter of children playing.
The adults are gathered about the table, exchanging tales of what their families have done this year.
When dinnertime arrives, they all feast on foods that were prepared with tender care. Afterwards, more games are played.
As the night deepens, farewells are expressed, along with wishes for them to gather together again soon.
For the day was full of love and cheer, as such a day should.

Times when the Cat wants Attention

1. While you're sleeping.
2. When you are cooking.
3. Right before you need to leave the house.
4. When another cat is getting attention.
5. When you need to stand up.
6. During really exciting parts of a movie.
7. When you're sick.
8. Anytime you go into the bathroom.
9. While you are working.
10. Whenever they are in trouble.

Hot Cookies

The cookies were cooling, though eager hands longed to snatch them up now. Who needs frosting? Hot from the oven was the only way to eat a cookie.
Sprinkles? They just get in the way.
Still, the boy kept his hands by his side, resigned to merely stare at the yummy cookies and mourn their ever decreasing temperature.
Even if he could get away with stealing a hot cookie, he really shouldn't try with these cookies. They weren't for him and his family. Mom was making them for some facy party she and Dad were going to.
So even though he wanted a cookie, he couldn't have any.
The timer beeped, and Mom pulled another pan of cookies from the oven. The groaned, and ran from the kitchen to go play into the snow.
If he couldn't have a hot cookie, then he might as well build a cold fort for the next snowball fight.

Things Moms Do

1. Teaches you new skills.
2. Bakes cookies.
3. Makes crafty gifts.
4. Shares family stories.
5. Makes you laugh.
6. Watches movies with you.
7. Comforts you when times are hard.
8. Cares for children.
9. Shows you how to love others.
10. Helps you find things you've lost.

Summer in the Park

The smell of grilled chicken filled the summer air, along with the laughter of children playing in the park. Dogs barked as teenagers tossed a baseball and parents grilled next to patio tables filled with side dishes.
A couple of kids swung on the swings, each trying to get higher than the other. A group of girls giggled as the boys tried to show off for them.
Ice cream was melting, trailing down to coat a toddler's hand.
When all the food was ready, parents called their children over to eat. Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, such much tasty food was eagerly devoured.
It was such a lovely summer day, and no one wanted it to end.
But as it is prone to do, the sun eventually began to set, and parents gathered their families to return home.
The park emptied, leaving the swings to be pushed only by a lonesome breeze.
It would be a long night, but the park would fill with the happy sounds of summer come morning, when families returned for more fun.

Advent Calendar Fillings

1. Chocolate.
2. Toys.
3. Quotes.
4. Charms.
5. Ornaments.
6. Recipes.
7. Coloring pages.
8. Service ideas.
9. Scriptures.
10. Stickers.

Do Not Push

The buttons on the counter were blue, black, and gold. They were spaced almost evenly apart, except for a gap between the black and gold buttons where another button could have been.
The sign on the wall simply said Do Not Push.
So of course, I wanted to push them.
What would they do? Which should I push first?
Would one of them explain why I was here, and where exactly here was?
All good questions, except for the fact that there was no one to answer them.
No one but the buttons.
My hand twitched toward the buttons, but I forced myself to lower it. Can't be too hasty.
I looked around the room I'd woken up in, taking in the bare walls, dusty floor, and flickering lights. Nothing of interest except for the buttons and the lack of any door.
There wasn't even a chair to sit on.
I turned away from the buttons and started pacing, debating with myself.
"Three buttons, spaced far enough apart that I can't just push them all at the same time. The gold one is shiny enough that I might actually be made of gold. The blue one is one of the rich shades that people tend to pick as a favorite color, so does that make it more tempting? And the black one, it's got a matte finish, and just seems to absorb the light without being touched by it."
I groaned and shook my head, glancing back at the sign. How could I not push such interesting buttons?
Moving back to the counter, I stared at each button in turn. My fingers were twitching with an eager anticipation, but I had to think this through.
If I could push one, I wanted it to be the best.
As I passed the large empty space between the black and gold buttons, I paused. Why wasn't there another button here?
I brushed my hand along the empty counter space, frowning a little at the thick layer of dust. Whoever ran this place needed to get a janitor.
In the center of the empty space, I felt something beneath the dust. My frown twisted into a more curious expression as I carefully brushed the dust away from whatever it covered.
Then I grinned as I saw what I'd discovered.
Another button, sunken into the countertop.
A red button.
That made it the best.
Without another thought, I pushed the red button.
And the lights went out.