Previous Story (Hot Air Balloons)
Lil was still miffed about The Balloon Incident. Figgy thought it was hilarious.
“Oh come on Lil,” said Figgy with a smile. “It was pretty funny.”
“Funny? Waking up in a hot, elf slobbered balloon is not my idea of funny, Figgy.”
Figgy shook his head. “What happened to your sense of fun, Lil?”
Lil turned wide eyes on Figgy. “My sense of...fun? There is nothing wrong with my sense of fun!”
Figgy raised an eyebrow.
Lil huffed.
“Look, how about instead of being angry,” said Figgy. “We challenge them.”
Lil crossed her arms.
“No really, let’s challenge them to a Holidathlon.”
“A what?” Lil crinkled her brow.
“It’s a race with three Christmas themed events. First event, a Christmas Bag Race. Event number two, a Sprinkle Skate and the finale is a Dog-sled Race.”
“That sounds like so much...fun!”
Figgy smiled. “I think it’s time you started having fun again.”
Lil and Figgy pulled out paper sacks and markers for decorating.
They hooked a tail-wagging, drooling Barrel up to a miniature sled, then turned to Glitter to do the same.
“Don’t even think about it,” said Glitter.
Finally, they prepared the sink for skating.
When they’d finished, Lil’s smile was bigger than ever.
“This was a great idea, Figgy. Thanks for reminding me how much fun it is to have...fun.”.
Nim and Pixie crashed through the window and landed in a heap next to Lil.
“Wow!” said Pixie. “This looks great!”
“Thanks!” said Figgy with a big grin. “I thought the ice lake was a little…”. Figgy trailed off at the look on Lil’s face. “Er...thanks.”
Lil glared at Nim. Nim glared at Lil.
“Ahem,” said Figgy. “Lil and I wondered if...that is to say we wanted to…”.
“We challenge you to a Holidathlon,” finished Lil.
“A holi--what?” asked Nim.
“Racin’, skatin’ and sleddin’!” said Figgy waving his hands at each station in turn.
“Oooo...that sounds exciting!” exclaimed Pixie.
“Well?” Lil looked to Nim.
Nim narrowed his eyes. “Challenge accepted.”
Figgy and Pixie jumped and twirled in approval.
“What’s first?” asked Pixie.
“Step right up,” said Figgy. “Decorate your bag and get ready to race!”
The four elves set to decorating their bags with the most outrageous Christmas designs.
Figgy drew Santa in a Hawaiian shirt drinking from a coconut with Rudolph lounging in the pool.
Pixie continued the theme with Dasher and Dancer bringing Mrs. Claus a Pina Colada.
“What is that on your bag, Lil?” Figgy squinted.
“Oh, just a Christmas song.”
Fill the track with lots of candy
Fa la la la la, la la la la
When I win it will be dandy
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Nim will never win against me
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
He’s too slow and always will be
Fa la la la la, la la la la
“Mine has a song on it too,” said Nim belligerently.
Racing round and round the tra-ack
Fa la la la la, la la la la
In a Christmas paper sa-ack
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Always passing Lil and Figgy
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
I’ll win this race but it’s no biggie
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Figgy and Pixie shared a worried look.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
Mischief Makers in order
Prologue
Day 1 Broken Bones and Promises
Day 2 Tinsel Town
Day 3 Snowmen at Night
Day 4 Cookie Clutter
Day 5 Elf in Trouble
Day 6 Scrooged
Day 7 Night Ninjas
Day 8 Googly-Eyed
Day 9 Snowglobes
Day 10 Hot Air Balloons
Day 11 Holidathlon
Day 12 Christmas Climb
Originally posted at www.apinchofhomestead.com