Mischief Makers Day 12: Christmas Climb

“And remember when Lil fell through the ice?”

“Figgy,” Lil said. “It just happened last night. Of course Pixie remembers.”

“And, when Nim got tangled up in the dog sled, and Barrel couldn’t stop licking his face.”

“Pixie,” said Nim. “Everyone remembers…it just happened.”

Pixie and Figgy just laughed harder.

“Well,” said Nim. “Tonight, Pixie and I have a challenge of our own.”

Lil raised an eyebrow. Figgy raised two.

“A challenge? What kind of challenge?” asked Lil.

“Pixie and I challenge you to–”.

“A Christmas Climb!” blurted Pixie. “On Christmas bows!”

Nim sighed with exasperation and shook his head with a smile.

“Oh I’m sorry Nim! I’m just so excited!”

Lil coughed, trying to hide a laugh. A Christmas Climb was a tradition. Nim and Lil had done one every December for the past five years. She shot Nim a sideways look.

“It was…Pixie’s idea,” said Nim, looking at his feet.

“Of course,” said Lil.

“When do we get started?” said Figgy. The awkward silence transformed into a buzz of excitement.

Pixie led the group to the hallway just outside the boys’ room. It was covered in bows with four ribbons hanging down from the top.

“Ta da!” Pixie whisper-shouted.

Figgy looked up at the red, green, silver and gold climbing wall. “Rules?”

“No flying,” said Nim.

“No floating,” said Pixie.

“No…flapping?” teased Figgy.

“There’s one rule you forgot, Nim,” Lil said quietly.

All the elves looked at Lil.

“Have fun!”