Winter holidays

Elias pressed his nose against the cold window. Tiny white flakes danced from the sky. 'Snow!' he shouted, running to find his winter boots. Winter holidays had finally arrived.

Mom wrapped a long scarf around Elias's neck. His puffy coat made him look like a marshmallow. 'Can I go play now?' he asked impatiently. The snow was calling his name.

Elias fell backward into the fresh snow. He moved his arms and legs back and forth. 'Look, I made an angel!' he called out. The snow felt like a cold, fluffy blanket.

Elias rolled a snowball until it grew bigger than himself. Dad helped him stack a second ball on top. They used a carrot for the nose and buttons for the eyes. Their snowman smiled at the winter sky.

Elias's fingers felt like icicles when he came inside. Mom handed him a mug of hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows. 'Careful, it's hot,' she warned. Elias blew on it gently, watching the steam rise.

That evening, Dad lifted Elias onto his shoulders. They walked through the neighborhood looking at colorful lights. 'The houses look like they're wearing jewelry,' Elias said. Every window glowed with holiday magic.

The doorbell rang, and Elias raced to answer it. Grandma stood there with arms full of presents. 'My little snowflake!' she exclaimed, giving him a hug. Her cookies smelled like cinnamon and happiness.

Elias climbed the big hill, dragging his red sled behind him. His heart beat fast as he sat down on the sled. 'Ready, set, go!' Dad called from behind. Elias zoomed down the hill, laughing all the way.

Elias wobbled on his new ice skates. He held Mom's hands tightly as they glided across the frozen pond. 'I'm doing it!' he squealed with delight. His skates made little lines in the ice like pencil marks.

Elias wrote his holiday wish list with careful letters. He drew pictures next to each item to make sure. 'Do you think my wishes will come true?' he asked Dad. The twinkling lights seemed to wink in response.

Elias could hardly sleep on holiday eve. He listened for special sounds on the roof. 'I'll just close my eyes for a minute,' he thought. His dreams were filled with snowflakes and surprises.

Morning sunlight sparkled on fresh snow outside Elias's window. He ran downstairs in his pajamas to find colorful surprises. 'This is the best winter holiday ever!' he declared. And in his heart, he knew it was true.