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Annual Christmas story

Olivia gets a furry holiday surprise

Olivia hadn’t felt this happy on Christmas morning in years. Somehow, everything felt perfect, from her mom’s traditional breakfast of French toast casserole and bacon to Sam jumping around, unable to contain his excitement over the pile of gifts waiting for him under the tree. She appreciated her gifts this year more than ever, knowing how hard her mom worked to make Christmas morning magical for her children. The pile of clothes, new phone accessories and gift cards were exactly what she wanted. At least, she thought so. Everything changed when Gia and her father arrived for ...

Magical ornaments hold tales of campers past

Their last day at Camp Secret Santa was filled to the brim with activities. Olivia had finally gotten her chance to help at the Post Office, and it was every bit as magical and amazing as her friends said. After lunch, she’d been able to spend a bit more time with the reindeer and was pleased to see Chip nailing his every landing. They all got their biggest surprise during a scavenger hunt that took them all over the village. The final clue led them to a room inside the Town Hall building, and Olivia gasped when they opened the door. The room was huge, easily three times as big as ...

Olivia rediscovers her Christmas spirit

Sadly, Chewbacca couldn’t return to camp with Olivia and saying goodbye was difficult. But Simon the elf explained to her that her schedule was going to be too busy to watch over him at camp. So she promised Chewbacca she would come visit him once she was back home with her mom. Elaine, however, returned to camp with them; it turned out she was also the veterinarian for the reindeer and needed to do a checkup on the group before their big night. And Simon was right. As soon as they returned early in the evening, everything and everyone seemed to be in hyperdrive at the North Pole. ...

Girls get visit from their parents at camp

“I think this floor is as clean as it’s gonna get,” Gia said, leaning against her broom. Chewbacca was sitting patiently by the registers, obediently waiting where Olivia told him to stay so he wouldn’t run through their piles of dirt. “I think you’re right. Why don’t we head back to — ” The outside door to the store jingled its bells as someone opened it to come inside. “Mom!” Olivia ran to her mother and plowed into her, wrapping her arms tightly around her mom’s waist. “Well, hello you. You seem happy.” “I am!” Olivia smiled up at her mom ...

Olivia finds puppy love at shelter

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part eight of a continuing, fictional holiday tale that is running daily through Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read along with their children. Olivia and Gia were having a great time with the animals. They had already spent an hour feeding and cleaning the enclosures where the sweet furry friends resided. The shelter had a few permanent residents that roamed freely throughout the facility, and one of them was Chewbacca, an adorable shaggy mixed breed with big soulful eyes. Chewbacca was an older dog, and Elaine explained that most people didn’t want ...

Chapter 7: Olivia and Gia pair up for new task

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part seven of a continuing, fictional holiday tale that is running daily through Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read along with their children. Olivia woke up the next morning in a great mood. She didn’t consider herself a morning person and had always been that kid that grumbled and fought when it was time to wake up for school. And since her dad had been gone, she’d gotten even worse at it. She hated waking up and not smelling her dad’s coffee in the morning or hearing him laugh with her mom in the kitchen. And the holidays were the hardest for ...