It’s Christmas Eve, and there’s a lot of excitement on the farm, as the Curbstone Valley elves, and Santa’s little helpers, are busy with last minute preparations for the holidays.
The tree is lit…
The Christmas decorations are up.
…the ornaments are hung
The presents are wrapped, and there’s a flurry of baking going on in the Curbstone Valley kitchen.
Santa may need to loosen his belt
You may not have known this, but it turns out that in case one of Santa’s reindeer can’t fly on Christmas Eve, each year a few very special goats are chosen to attend Santa’s Reindeer Auxiliary Flight School during the year. In case there’s an emergency, these specially trained goats can help to pull Santa’s sleigh. You didn’t know that, did you? Neither did we!
Our flying Lotus, Curbstone Valley’s resident reindeer in training
As you can see, Lotus took her training very seriously!
However, recently we had to break it to Lotus that due to strict North Pole flight safety regulations, she’s been grounded. Because she’s now pregnant, this holiday season at least, there would be no flying, or sleigh pulling.
“I understand. Maybe I can help Santa next year!”
Although she was disappointed, Lotus took the news very well, handed off her antlers, and suggested that maybe Minnie could take her place instead?
“Do you think Santa will really let me pull his sleigh?”
We explained to Minnie that only under exceptional circumstances, if one of Santa’s special reindeer were hurt, or sick, might she be asked to help. Just in case, Minnie is taking this responsibility very seriously. Over the last few weeks she’s spent a lot of time in the barn practicing, and getting into the festive spirit. We’ve even caught her singing a few holiday songs…
Minnie LOVES to sing!
So, while Lotus takes it easy, and Minnie is on standby in the barn, and the rest of the farm’s elves finish their last minute preparations, we’d like to wish all of our family, friends, and readers, both near and far, all the peace, love, and joy of the holiday season, and throughout the coming New Year!
Happy Holidays, from Curbstone Valley Farm
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys — and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof…
Super cute, Merry Christmas Curbstone Valley Farms.
Merry Christmas, Jessica!
Made me smile!
I found that flying goats tend to make me smile too 😉
What joyous news! I hope Lotus’ pregnancy goes smoothly, and that Minnie can handle all the rigorous flying-reindeer-back-up responsibilities! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Holley! So far so good! I think Lotus is quite relieved that she’ll get to relax and put her hooves up tonight 😉 Minnie is still in the yard singing this morning…
They are so, so cute. I would love to have them in my Christmas stocking!
Have a lovely Christmas and Best Wishes for the coming year.
And being dwarf goats, they just might fit in your stocking too! 😉 Merry Christmas!
Oh, this was a darling post Claire. I would love for Santa to have Minnie in the lineup. She looks the part in the reindeer antlers. Loved that Lotus made the leap. What a cute shot.
Lotus used to scare us sometimes, we were certain she’d be able to clear the lower half of the barn door! Fortunately, at the moment, she has a little more trouble getting airborne! 😉
Methinks if I saw a flying goat I would have to cut back on my eggnog consumption! 😉 Happy Holidays to all of you too.
Hehe, that’s a good point! 😛 Happy Holidays, Dave!
Hi Clare,
Merry Christmas; I hope you have a lovely time 🙂
Thank you, Liz! Merry Christmas!
Oh Clare what a great story…Lotus and Minnie are just too darn cute…Wishing all your family and you a very Special Christmas and New Year!
They definitely have no shortage of cute, and they really know how to work it too 😉 A very Merry Christmas to you too, Donna!
Fantastic news – she’s going to be a mom! Boy oh boy can she ever jump though, pregnant or not. Have a wonderful Christmas Clare and best wishes to you in the new year.
Happy holidays, Marguerite! We’re very excited, and keeping our fingers crossed for healthy, bouncy baby goats in March. I agree, Lotus’ gymnastic ability is impressive! 😉
Happy Holidays to everyone at Curbstone Valley Farm.
Happy Holidays to you too, Jean!
Congratulations, when is your little one due?
Diana, Lotus is due around March 25, 2013. Normal gestation for goats is approximately 150 days, although the Nigerian Dwarf average may be closer to 145. Either way, toward the end of March. Hopefully by then our weather will be warmer, and drier!
… and may all your dreams come true, dear Clare! Happy 2013!
Yours too, Joey! Happy New Year!