You’re getting to be a big boy each day. I like exploring. My world is turning, changing each day with mommy and daddy, and finding my way. Growing up is not so tough, except when I’ve had enough, but there’s lots of fun stuff. You can, that’s me. Caillou goes caroling. Caillou goes caroling. Christmas was only a week away, and it was a beautiful snowy day. Caillou loves playing in the snow, especially building snowmen. “Look at my snowman, daddy!” “Good work, Caillou. Why don’t you ask mommy for a carrot for his nose, hmm?” “Mommy, may I have a carrot, please?” “Are you hungry already? We just had lunch.” “It’s not for me, it’s for my snowman.” “Oh, is he hungry?” “No, it’s for his nose.” “Oh, of course, I’ll get one.” “Mommy’s got a lot of things to do. I can’t hold you right now.” “You can come out and make snowmen with me, Rosie.” “No, Rosie’s not in a very good mood because she didn’t have her nap, did you, sweetie?” “It’s okay, Caillou. Why don’t you go put the nose on your snowman and then come back inside?” “But I was going to make more snowmen, a whole snow family.” “You can make them tomorrow. Grandma and grandpa are coming over so we can practice before we go caroling tonight.” “What’s caroling?” “It’s when you go visit your friends and sing Christmas carols for them. It’s fun.” Caillou didn’t think caroling sounded like much fun. He’d rather stay home and play in the snow. “Hello, Caillou.” “Oh, hi grandma. Hi grandpa.” “Someone’s lost his nose. Is it yours?” “No, well then it must belong to this fine-looking fellow.” “A perfect fit.” “How’s my little Rosie today?” “So, what will we be singing today? We Three Kings, Hark the Herald Angels, Good King Wenceslas?” Caillou wanted to sing with the grown-ups, but he didn’t know any of those songs.
Let’s start with something everyone knows. How about “Jingle Bells”? I know that one. We sang it at play school, which reminds me, I brought something along. Here they are. Would you like to play “Jingle Bells,” Caillou?
And, “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, what fun it is!” Caillou decided that going caroling might be fun after all, and he especially liked playing the jingle bells.
After dinner, they were ready to go caroling. “Rosie, you’ve got to wear your hat or your head will get cold. You need your mittens too, sweetie.”
“No, we’re going caroling, Rosie. It’ll be fun.”
“No, Caillou has the bells, honey. Here, you can have them.”
“Thank you, Caillou. That was a very nice thing to do.”
“Very Christmassy.”
Their first stop was at Sarah’s house, right next door. “Jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is!” Caillou decided he liked caroling. He liked surprising people, and singing was a lot of fun.
Caillou also liked staying up past his bedtime, and he especially liked looking at all the pretty Christmas lights on the houses.
They went to lots of houses. “We sing you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Good news we bring to you and your kin. Good news for Christmas and a Happy New Year. We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.”
And sometimes, they got a special treat. Their last stop was the seniors’ home. Caillou had been there lots of times with his grandmother. He wanted to include Mrs. Wilson, one of his friends.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t start without me.”
“Caillou, what a surprise! We’re singing carols in the big room. I can drive you there. Oh, what fun it is! Giddy up! Merry Christmas, everybody! Yay!”
“Hey, pretty tree! We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.”
“A playschool party! A playschool party! Caillou was very excited. There was going to be a party at play school today because it was the last day before the winter holidays.”
“Is Miss Martin’s present in the bag, Mommy?”
“Yes, Caillou. You’ve asked me three times already this morning.”
“Can you check again just to make sure it’s here? All right, and I’m sure Miss Martin will love it.”
“Did you put in my stocking? We’re supposed to bring Christmas things for show-and-tell.”
“You mean holiday things. Your friends celebrate many different holidays at this time of year.”
“Hmm, oh yeah. I hope everyone likes my stocking.”
“I’m sure they will. Let’s go.”
“Look, Mommy, reindeer! And look over there, Leo’s got one of those at his house.”
“That’s right. Jewish people put those up to celebrate Hanukkah. Do you remember what it’s called?”
“Hmm, Leo told me, but I forget. I’m going to ask him when I get to school.”
“Good idea. Thank you very much, Caillou. You’re welcome. Merry Christmas.”
“That smells good. Xavier has brought burritos for everyone. That’s his favorite holiday meal.”
“This is going to be a yummy day. I brought dessert for everyone, but it’s a surprise.”
“Oh wow, hi Leo.”
“Hi Caillou.”
“What’s that called again? I forget.”
“It’s a menorah.”
“Hmm, is that corn? Yep, it’s muhindi for Kwanzaa.”
“Muhindi? Kwanzaa is the holiday that Clementine and her family celebrate.”
“Nice Christmas tree.”
“Thanks, Clementine. And those are nice… hmm, children.”
“All right, everyone, let’s start our show-and-tell.”
“This is a dreidel. It’s for a game we played during Hanukkah. Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay. And when it’s dry and ready, my dreidel I shall play. Who wants to try?”
“Leo showed me how to play at his house. Caillou was very proud that he knew how to spin the dreidel.”
“Look, I’m a dreidel too.”
“The children got a chance to talk about things they did during their winter holidays. Clementine brought a mat called a makika. Her family put things on it to remind them of their relatives during Kwanzaa.”
“I always put out this picture of my grandpa because that’s me he’s holding when I was just a baby.”
“Emma brought in her favorite Christmas tree decoration, a beautiful angel.”
“Jason and Jeffrey’s family decorate their tree with popcorn. Only sometimes there isn’t enough popcorn because the twins keep eating it.”
“Finally, it was Caillou’s turn. On Christmas Eve, I hang up my stocking, and when I’m sleeping, Santa Claus comes and fills it with treats. And I brought treats for everyone, gumdrops.”
At lunch, the children shared the different foods they had brought. Lee brought chopsticks, and everyone tried to use them. “Thank you all for bringing food today. We even have dessert,” said the teacher. “Look, I did it! I used my chopsticks. Do you want some of my grandma’s fruitcake?” Caillou asked his friends. “Do you want one of my banana squares? My dad made them,” another child offered. “Sure,” Caillou replied. “Still yummy,” he added after tasting the treats. All the children tried to use the chopsticks, but it was harder than it looked. After lunch, they all went outside to play. “Let’s build a snowman!” Caillou suggested. They all gathered around and exclaimed, “Look!” as they finished their snowman. “Quack, quack, quack,” they heard the sound of ducks nearby. “Did you have fun today, Caillou?” his mom asked. “Yeah, we had the best party ever. I love the winter holidays, all of them,” Caillou replied. “Make each day special, make each day great, make each day special, it’s never too late,” they sang together. “Not just on birthdays or when holidays are near, make each day special, all through the year. Every day we should give, every day we should share, every day we should help, every day we should care. Make each day special, set your goals high, just follow your dreams, be willing to try. In winter or summer, spring or the fall, make each day special, if you’re big or you’re small. So make each day special, there’s lots you can do. Yes, make each day special, ’cause you are special too,” they concluded their song.
Caillou’s Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was one of Caillou’s favorite times, and his favorite smell on this special day was that of freshly baked Christmas cookies. “That looks like a lot of cookies for one little boy,” said his mom. “They’re not all for me, mommy. I’m giving two to Rosie,” Caillou replied. “All right then, just remember to leave some for daddy. He likes Christmas cookies too, okay?” his mom reminded him. Caillou excitedly showed Rosie the Christmas cookies. “Look, Rosie, Christmas cookies!” he exclaimed. Rosie giggled in delight. “Cookies!” she said. “No, Gilbert, that’s my present for Rosie,” Caillou told his cat. “Rosie present,” Rosie repeated. “Uh-huh. Daddy helped me wrap it with a pretty ribbon,” Caillou explained. “No, Rosie, you can’t open it yet,” he added when Rosie tried to open the present. Caillou’s mom asked him, “Do you know who puts all these presents under the tree?” Caillou proudly answered, “Santa and our family.” “Right, and who else brings us presents at Christmas time?” his mom asked. Caillou thought for a moment and replied, “Jesus, and he’s coming tonight.” As Caillou looked at the Christmas tree, he realized that a few ornaments had fallen off. “Funny how these ornaments keep falling off the tree. I wonder why that is,” he pondered. Caillou couldn’t contain his excitement and asked his dad, “When can we open our presents, daddy?” His dad replied, “Tomorrow morning when it’s Christmas day. Can’t I open one now?” Caillou pleaded. His dad explained, “You have to wait until Santa comes and leaves his gifts too.”
When will that be? When it’s dark and you’re fast asleep, Caillou. When it’s dark, Christmas cookies, my favorite. Thank you, Daddy. Daddy, it’s dark now. Consent to come. It has to be nighttime, dark sweetie, but don’t worry, it’ll be nighttime soon. Caillou was impatient. He wanted it to be nighttime right now. No, Daddy, those cookies are for Santa. Hmm, and the glass of milk, of course. How silly of me. Are you getting something else for Santa? Not for Santa, Mommy. For the reindeer. Oh, how thoughtful. Well, Caillou, I think it’s nighttime dark now. Yay, it’s bedtime. Santa’s coming. Yay, I’m gonna stay up all night so I can see Santa. But Santa won’t bring your presents if you’re not asleep. Sleep tight, Caillou. Sweet dreams. Caillou had an idea. If he stayed up all night and pretended to be asleep, then he would be able to see Santa. Nothing in my stocking. That means Santa hasn’t come yet. I’m gonna stay awake and watch for him, and you can stay awake with me, Gilbert. Caillou pretended to be asleep, but he was really listening carefully for Santa. Only, it was taking a long time. Caillou was beginning to wonder what was taking Santa so long. Then he remembered that on Christmas Eve, Santa had to deliver presents to all the children in the whole world. If only Santa had a helper, maybe he’d be able to deliver presents faster. Oh my, it’s hard to see where you are when it’s snowing so much. Where are we, little helpers? We’re over my street, Santa. Well, where are we now? Well, Jason and Jeffrey are next on my list. You know where they live? That’s their house right down there. Splendid! Oh, thank goodness you’re with me tonight, Caillou. Without your help, I’d be completely lost. I bet I could help Santa. Hmm. It was so warm under the covers that it was hard for Caillou to stay awake. Caillou decided to close his eyes just for a minute. Before long, it was morning, Christmas morning. Mommy, Daddy, Santa came! Santa came! So he did. And look, presents! We told you Santa would come if you went to sleep. He did, he did! Can I open them now, please? Grandma, Grandpa, Christmas! Merry Christmas, everybody! Merry Christmas, Caillou! Caillou, Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, Caillou.
Let’s start with something everyone knows. How about “Jingle Bells”? I know that one. We sang it at play school, which reminds me, I brought something along. Here they are. Would you like to play “Jingle Bells,” Caillou?
And, “Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, what fun it is!” Caillou decided that going caroling might be fun after all, and he especially liked playing the jingle bells.
After dinner, they were ready to go caroling. “Rosie, you’ve got to wear your hat or your head will get cold. You need your mittens too, sweetie.”
“No, we’re going caroling, Rosie. It’ll be fun.”
“No, Caillou has the bells, honey. Here, you can have them.”
“Thank you, Caillou. That was a very nice thing to do.”
“Very Christmassy.”
Their first stop was at Sarah’s house, right next door. “Jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is!” Caillou decided he liked caroling. He liked surprising people, and singing was a lot of fun.
Caillou also liked staying up past his bedtime, and he especially liked looking at all the pretty Christmas lights on the houses.
They went to lots of houses. “We sing you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Good news we bring to you and your kin. Good news for Christmas and a Happy New Year. We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.”
And sometimes, they got a special treat. Their last stop was the seniors’ home. Caillou had been there lots of times with his grandmother. He wanted to include Mrs. Wilson, one of his friends.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t start without me.”
“Caillou, what a surprise! We’re singing carols in the big room. I can drive you there. Oh, what fun it is! Giddy up! Merry Christmas, everybody! Yay!”
“Hey, pretty tree! We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.”
“A playschool party! A playschool party! Caillou was very excited. There was going to be a party at play school today because it was the last day before the winter holidays.”
“Is Miss Martin’s present in the bag, Mommy?”
“Yes, Caillou. You’ve asked me three times already this morning.”
“Can you check again just to make sure it’s here? All right, and I’m sure Miss Martin will love it.”
“Did you put in my stocking? We’re supposed to bring Christmas things for show-and-tell.”
“You mean holiday things. Your friends celebrate many different holidays at this time of year.”
“Hmm, oh yeah. I hope everyone likes my stocking.”
“I’m sure they will. Let’s go.”
“Look, Mommy, reindeer! And look over there, Leo’s got one of those at his house.”
“That’s right. Jewish people put those up to celebrate Hanukkah. Do you remember what it’s called?”
“Hmm, Leo told me, but I forget. I’m going to ask him when I get to school.”
“Good idea. Thank you very much, Caillou. You’re welcome. Merry Christmas.”
“That smells good. Xavier has brought burritos for everyone. That’s his favorite holiday meal.”
“This is going to be a yummy day. I brought dessert for everyone, but it’s a surprise.”
“Oh wow, hi Leo.”
“Hi Caillou.”
“What’s that called again? I forget.”
“It’s a menorah.”
“Hmm, is that corn? Yep, it’s muhindi for Kwanzaa.”
“Muhindi? Kwanzaa is the holiday that Clementine and her family celebrate.”
“Nice Christmas tree.”
“Thanks, Clementine. And those are nice… hmm, children.”
“All right, everyone, let’s start our show-and-tell.”
“This is a dreidel. It’s for a game we played during Hanukkah. Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay. And when it’s dry and ready, my dreidel I shall play. Who wants to try?”
“Leo showed me how to play at his house. Caillou was very proud that he knew how to spin the dreidel.”
“Look, I’m a dreidel too.”
“The children got a chance to talk about things they did during their winter holidays. Clementine brought a mat called a makika. Her family put things on it to remind them of their relatives during Kwanzaa.”
“I always put out this picture of my grandpa because that’s me he’s holding when I was just a baby.”
“Emma brought in her favorite Christmas tree decoration, a beautiful angel.”
“Jason and Jeffrey’s family decorate their tree with popcorn. Only sometimes there isn’t enough popcorn because the twins keep eating it.”
“Finally, it was Caillou’s turn. On Christmas Eve, I hang up my stocking, and when I’m sleeping, Santa Claus comes and fills it with treats. And I brought treats for everyone, gumdrops.”
At lunch, the children shared the different foods they had brought. Lee brought chopsticks, and everyone tried to use them. “Thank you all for bringing food today. We even have dessert,” said the teacher. “Look, I did it! I used my chopsticks. Do you want some of my grandma’s fruitcake?” Caillou asked his friends. “Do you want one of my banana squares? My dad made them,” another child offered. “Sure,” Caillou replied. “Still yummy,” he added after tasting the treats. All the children tried to use the chopsticks, but it was harder than it looked. After lunch, they all went outside to play. “Let’s build a snowman!” Caillou suggested. They all gathered around and exclaimed, “Look!” as they finished their snowman. “Quack, quack, quack,” they heard the sound of ducks nearby. “Did you have fun today, Caillou?” his mom asked. “Yeah, we had the best party ever. I love the winter holidays, all of them,” Caillou replied. “Make each day special, make each day great, make each day special, it’s never too late,” they sang together. “Not just on birthdays or when holidays are near, make each day special, all through the year. Every day we should give, every day we should share, every day we should help, every day we should care. Make each day special, set your goals high, just follow your dreams, be willing to try. In winter or summer, spring or the fall, make each day special, if you’re big or you’re small. So make each day special, there’s lots you can do. Yes, make each day special, ’cause you are special too,” they concluded their song.
Caillou’s Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve was one of Caillou’s favorite times, and his favorite smell on this special day was that of freshly baked Christmas cookies. “That looks like a lot of cookies for one little boy,” said his mom. “They’re not all for me, mommy. I’m giving two to Rosie,” Caillou replied. “All right then, just remember to leave some for daddy. He likes Christmas cookies too, okay?” his mom reminded him. Caillou excitedly showed Rosie the Christmas cookies. “Look, Rosie, Christmas cookies!” he exclaimed. Rosie giggled in delight. “Cookies!” she said. “No, Gilbert, that’s my present for Rosie,” Caillou told his cat. “Rosie present,” Rosie repeated. “Uh-huh. Daddy helped me wrap it with a pretty ribbon,” Caillou explained. “No, Rosie, you can’t open it yet,” he added when Rosie tried to open the present. Caillou’s mom asked him, “Do you know who puts all these presents under the tree?” Caillou proudly answered, “Santa and our family.” “Right, and who else brings us presents at Christmas time?” his mom asked. Caillou thought for a moment and replied, “Jesus, and he’s coming tonight.” As Caillou looked at the Christmas tree, he realized that a few ornaments had fallen off. “Funny how these ornaments keep falling off the tree. I wonder why that is,” he pondered. Caillou couldn’t contain his excitement and asked his dad, “When can we open our presents, daddy?” His dad replied, “Tomorrow morning when it’s Christmas day. Can’t I open one now?” Caillou pleaded. His dad explained, “You have to wait until Santa comes and leaves his gifts too.”
When will that be? When it’s dark and you’re fast asleep, Caillou. When it’s dark, Christmas cookies, my favorite. Thank you, Daddy. Daddy, it’s dark now. Consent to come. It has to be nighttime, dark sweetie, but don’t worry, it’ll be nighttime soon. Caillou was impatient. He wanted it to be nighttime right now. No, Daddy, those cookies are for Santa. Hmm, and the glass of milk, of course. How silly of me. Are you getting something else for Santa? Not for Santa, Mommy. For the reindeer. Oh, how thoughtful. Well, Caillou, I think it’s nighttime dark now. Yay, it’s bedtime. Santa’s coming. Yay, I’m gonna stay up all night so I can see Santa. But Santa won’t bring your presents if you’re not asleep. Sleep tight, Caillou. Sweet dreams. Caillou had an idea. If he stayed up all night and pretended to be asleep, then he would be able to see Santa. Nothing in my stocking. That means Santa hasn’t come yet. I’m gonna stay awake and watch for him, and you can stay awake with me, Gilbert. Caillou pretended to be asleep, but he was really listening carefully for Santa. Only, it was taking a long time. Caillou was beginning to wonder what was taking Santa so long. Then he remembered that on Christmas Eve, Santa had to deliver presents to all the children in the whole world. If only Santa had a helper, maybe he’d be able to deliver presents faster. Oh my, it’s hard to see where you are when it’s snowing so much. Where are we, little helpers? We’re over my street, Santa. Well, where are we now? Well, Jason and Jeffrey are next on my list. You know where they live? That’s their house right down there. Splendid! Oh, thank goodness you’re with me tonight, Caillou. Without your help, I’d be completely lost. I bet I could help Santa. Hmm. It was so warm under the covers that it was hard for Caillou to stay awake. Caillou decided to close his eyes just for a minute. Before long, it was morning, Christmas morning. Mommy, Daddy, Santa came! Santa came! So he did. And look, presents! We told you Santa would come if you went to sleep. He did, he did! Can I open them now, please? Grandma, Grandpa, Christmas! Merry Christmas, everybody! Merry Christmas, Caillou! Caillou, Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas, Caillou.
