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The Baxters' where a lovely little family living in a small farming community. They enjoyed their time together whenever they had the opportunity. They played, sang and enjoyed everyone's company. They loved gardening and fishing together.

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One day during one of these fishing trips old Grandpa Baxter slipped and fell into the river. Uncle Baxter jumped in to the river to help Grandpa Baxter. They finally where able to get him out.

When Grandpa was sitting calmly on his high chair, warmed up with some cocoa, he called the family in. Every single one of them. Even Bethany and Charlie who weren't related by blood to the Baxter's.

"As all of you know I fell into the river today. Thanks to Uncle Baxter who went after me and the rest of the men who helped to get me out of the water. But this isn't the reason why I called you here today..."

Grandma Baxter came out of the kitchen with a mysterious box. Wondering, curious all the grandchildren ran to grandma to see what she was holding, but it was hidden under a towel.

"Today, grandma and me would like to give all of you a little token of our love. Throughout the night we sat and and made each of you a little Christmas ornament with your initials inside. This little ornament is simple and plain, but we want to remind each of you of a very important aspect about family.

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It doesn't matter how you came to be part of our family, by blood or by chance, we are all family. We don't need to be related by blood to be family. Take care of each other as if they are all the most important person in your life. Love and cherish each other. Respect one another."

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They all went to have a lovely Christmas, loving and cherishing each moment with each other even more.

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Questions

1. What was the surname of the family?
2. Who fell in the river?
3. How did he fell?
4. Who jumped in after him?
5. Who helped to pull him out?
6. What did grandpa drink when he sat on the coach?
7. What did grandma fetch from the kitchen?
8. What was inside each one of them?
9. What was the message grandpa gave to everyone?
10. What lesson have you learned from this story?

Activity: Make your own Christmas Ornaments

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You will need the following:

1. Plastic Christmas light ornaments (Ones with holes in the top)
2. Mineral oil
3. Food coloring
4. Alka seltzer tablets
5. String
6. Large Tray
7. Stainless Steel letters for the initials of your loved ones.

Instructions:

1. Fill the Christmas light about 5/6 with the oil.
2. Throw in the stainless steel letter.
3. Fill the rest of the light with colored water.
4. hang them on your tree.
5. Break the alka seltzer tablets into small pieces and slip them into the Christmas lights one at a time. Depending on how much of the tablets your throw in the bubbles will be slow or fast.

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