A Perfect Christmas List (2014)

[bunniefuu]

♪ Tick tock tick
It's coming up quick ♪

♪ Yeah, Santa Claus is on his way ♪

♪ Toting lots of toys
for the girls and boys ♪

♪ On his trusty
Christmas sleigh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, whee ♪

♪ Christmas is coming fast ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, whee ♪

♪ Christmas is coming fast ♪

♪ Now deck the halls with lights and all ♪

♪ This Christmas is gonna be bright ♪

♪ With stockings hung and carols sung ♪

♪ We'll get this holiday right ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, whee ♪

♪ Christmas is coming fast ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, whee ♪

♪ Christmas is coming fast ♪

Whoo!

Whoo-hoo!

"'Something's wrong
in this house', the mouse said.

'I can hear it.

There's no noises at all.

There's no Christmas spirit.

There's nobody laughing,
there's nobody singing.

No carolers caroling,
no jingle bells ringing.

The family inside
are all quiet and strange.'

The mouse wondered what
could've caused such a change.

'I know what to do!
I'll bring them together!

I'll make up a plan.
I'll be very clever.

I'll think really hard tonight
outside while it's snowing.

I'll get them all going
without even knowing.

They'll make cookies and cards
and raise a big tree.

Wrap presents and candy canes
tall as your knee.

And then as they sit before
their Christmas dinner,

each person among them will
think they are the winner.'"

And that is how the mouse
started his adventure last year.

- [cheering]
- Yes!

Sara Edwin! All right!

Now, if you enjoyed
last year's book

The Mouse Who Missed
His Christmas List,

you're gonna enjoy Sara's
new holiday book even more.

Yay!

It's called A Mouse
in the House for Christmas.

And you can get it starting
tomorrow at this bookstore.

Don't forget!
Sara's new book!

Every child will want one!

Don't you think
you're overselling it

just a little bit?

Nonsense.

Kids today have the
attention span of a housefly.

If you say so.

I do.

You know, you really
have your finger

on the pulse of Christmas.

Do you write from experience?

If you like the books, Ed,
don't ask.

Oh, thank you.

- Hello.
- Hi, honey.

Hey, Dad, what's up?

Sara, it's your grandmother.

She was leaving her condo,

walking down the stairs
with some friends

when she became lightheaded.

She fell and sprained
her ankle pretty good.

They're taking her
to the hospital right now,

and, well, I figured maybe...

you could break away,
come home a few days early.

Dad, my new book is coming out.
I have appearances to make.

The EMTs think there might be
some kind of heart condition.

As it is, your grandmother
can't go back to the condo,

so she'll be staying with us...
at the house.

Dad, you know Mom and I
are just gonna argue

and ruin things for everybody.

Please, just do this for me
and your grandmother.

She really needs you.

Whoo!

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Hittin' the road ♪

♪ Hittin' the road again ♪

♪ This Christmastime ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Hittin' the road ♪

♪ Hittin' the road again ♪

♪ This Christmastime ♪

♪ This Christmastime ♪

♪ I'm hittin' the road ♪

Take your time.

Be careful, everybody.

All right, lift up
and swing you around.

There you go.

Watch Mother's head, Tim!

Oh, just leave him alone,
Michelle.

He's fine.

- Comfortable?
- Thank you. Yeah.

All right.

- Mr. and Mrs. Edwin?
- Yeah.

Here's the deal. Evelyn will
need to stay on bed rest

for several days at least.

She can use her walker to go
back and forth to the bathroom,

but that's gonna be about it.

It's very possible
she could be suffering from

orthostatic hypotension.

That causes a dangerous drop
in the blood pressure

when someone rises too quickly.

The blood flow gets
restricted to the brain, so...

let's play this safe.

Okay. Thank you.

Hey, kiddo.

Hey, Dad.

Thanks for coming.

Of course.

Sara. Better late
than never, I guess.

You're welcome.

Oh, Sara, you made it!

Morning, Gran.
How you feeling?

Better, now that you're here.

Oh, well, that's good.

Hey, you about ready to roll?

I've been ready.
Let's git.

Sara, when you're finished,
we need to get Mother home.

She must be very tired by now.

I'm done, Mom. Thanks.

[kiss]

I'm sorry.

Nothing changes.

I'll see you at home.

Tim!

[sighs]
I'm coming.

Are you all right, Mother?

I'm fine.
Let's hit the gas.

I can't tell you what it means
to have you here for Christmas.

It means a lot to me too, Gran.

And thank you
for the lovely books.

Ah, it was nothing.

Besides, I thought there
might a few you didn't have.

I had so many plans
for the holidays,

and now they're all ruined.

Gran, I'm sorry.
Were they big plans?

Well, not so big, but...

I did put 'em all down
on a list.

Wow. Look how organized you are.

"A Perfect Christmas List," huh?

I probably wasn't gonna
do all of 'em,

but I did wanna make
my special Christmas cookies.

Maybe you and your mom
can bake them.

No, I don't think so, Gran.

Oh, why not?
Aw, come on.

Why don't you
make an old lady happy?

I may not be around here
forever, you know.

Shh! Gran, I don't wanna
hear you talk like that.

Besides, I just rub Mom
the wrong way.

She's so perfect,
and I'm so not.

And she must remind me of that
every five minutes.

Sara, your mother
is not perfect.

She's just pretending.
That's her way.

I know, Gran, I get it.

But trying to get the two of us
together to do something

is like pouring gasoline
on a fire.

No, you keep it, dear.

Maybe you'll change your mind.

Don't get your hopes up.

What a terrible thing to have
happen right at the holidays.

Well, maybe it will convince
Evie to sell that condo,

move into someplace
a little more suited for her.

- She might have to.
- She shouldn't be left alone.

Remember that kitchen fire
she started at Halloween?

She can't even remember
to turn the stovetop off.

Yeah, well, she's forgetful,
but independent.

Very independent.

Controlling, dear.
She's controlling.

[doorbell rings]

Don't worry, guys, I got it.

Hello.

Uh, hello.

Can I help you?

Yes, sorry. I'm Dr. Read.
I'm here to see Evelyn.

Come on in.

Thank you.

Over here.

Mom, we have a visitor.

Sara, who is it?

Gran's doctor.

Seriously?
A doctor making house calls?

There's still a few of us left.

Dr. Read.

Tim.

Nice to meet you.

Well, her room is
right this way.

Great. Thank you.

Mom, you have a visitor.

It's your doctor.

Hello, Evie.

Well, I'll leave you two.

Okay. Thank you.

So I heard you took
quite a spill.

- What happened?
- I don't even know.

One minute I'm up,
and the next, I'm down.

Oh, man.
You gotta be careful.

Well, the hospital sent
your chart over to me,

and it looks like there
might be something going on

with your blood pressure,

so you're gonna have
to take it easy

till we figure out
what's going on.

Do you mind if we check it now?

Can I stop you?

Not a chance.

- You're such a bully.
- Yeah.

Just because I care.

How's the ankle?
Does it hurt?

No, it doesn't.

And I don't have
orthostatic hypotension.

We hope.

[pumps air]

[air releases]

So do we think maybe
that big move is in order?

Yes. I've been thinking about it
now for a while.

This settles it.

I gotta get out of that condo.
No more stairs for me.

That's what I've been
trying to tell you.

I know, but I just
needed a reason.

DR. READ: Well, it looks like
you finally got one.

So have you told
your family yet?

EVIE: No, not yet.

I've been putting that off.

I understand,

but you're gonna have to
tell them sooner or later.

You're gonna want them close by
when it's time to go.

Do you want me to talk to them?

Oh, no. No, no, no.
I'll tell them.

I mean, they're gonna all have
to work very closely together

to clean out my condo
when this time comes.

Well, it won't be
for at least a week or so.

We know that much for sure.

Tim!

Tim!

What is it, Michelle?

Mom is dying.

What?

Mom is dying!

Says who?

Her doctor.

I heard them talking
about her illness.

It's fatal!

Honey...

they usually can treat
these kind of things.

All she needs is some rest
and maybe no sudden movements.

She'll be fine.

I heard what I heard
when I heard it.

Well, her doctor
did make a house call.

Why would he do that?

- You don't think...
- Yes!

Oh, no.

All right.

Well, I have to run
some errands.

Your blood pressure
is in normal range,

which is very good news.

You just have to make sure
you keep resting

and keep that foot up.

You just like bossing people
around, don't you?

Doctor's orders.

Bye, Evie.

You guys all right?

Yeah, yeah, we're fine.

Allergies, that's all.

Ah-choo!

Allergies?

Right.

Well, I've gotta run.
It was nice meeting you folks.

Doctor! Isn't there anything
you want to tell us?

Um, nothing
you don't already know.

I'm just glad that she's
surrounded by her family

during this difficult time.

Isn't there anything we can do?

Just try to keep
her spirits up...

and make sure that
the next week's a happy one.

I will.

I will.

I promise.

That's good.

Bye.

Poor mother.

She is so brave.

Keeping that secret inside
and everything.

We must respect her wishes.

Of course.

She can't know that we know.

I won't let on.

And don't tell Sara.

Sara? Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure, Tim.

I'm the daughter.
It's only right that I know.

She's the granddaughter.
Just trust me.

Mom, are you awake?

Y-Yes, dear, yes.

We were wondering if there's
anything we can do for you.

You know, anything at all.

No, I'm... I'm fine. Why?

We just want you
to be comfortable.

Is the bed soft enough,
hard enough?

Thank you, Tim.
Thank you.

Are you sure we can't get you
something to eat or drink?

Some iced tea?

Really, please,
anything we can do for you.

Anything at all.

Anything?

Well, I was
just thinking about...

the great Christmases
we had in Vermont

when you were young.

Yes, I remember.
Snow a foot deep.

Perfect for sledding.

Perfect.

Oh, I would give anything
if you and Sara

could experience
a perfect Christmas like that.

You know, truth be told,

we may not all be together again
like this next year.

Mom, don't say that.

Well, you never know what's
around the corner, Michelle,

so I've put together a wish list

of Christmas activities for
you and Sara to do together.

A wish list.

Wouldn't that be fun?

Th-That does sound like fun.

Okay, if that would
make you happy.

Oh, so happy, so happy, dear.

Sara has the list.

Okay. Doesn't that
sound great, Tim?

That's nice.

What's the first activity?

Baking the perfect
Christmas cookies.

Baking?

Baking.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Do you have a minute?

Do you have a minute who?

Ha ha. Very funny.

Are you drawing something for
one of your little book things?

Yes, Mom,
one of my little book things.

Is there something
I can do for you?

Yes, yes, there is.

I was just chatting with Mom,
and she had this great idea.

And she told you about
the perfect Christmas list.

She did.

You can't be serious.

I am.
She's very ill, you know.

This could be our last
Christmas together.

It really could.

So do you wanna
do the list with me?

Are you asking me?

Yes, I'm asking.

Please.

Oh, okay, yeah, sure.

Good.

So, the first challenge
on Grandma's list

is to make Christmas cookies.

But don't worry.
I've got us covered.

This oughta do the trick.

What is that?

It's a cookie g*n.

You just sh**t the dough
out of that nozzle-doodle thing.

It makes perfect cookies
every time.

Mom, that is horrible.

Why?

Do you have any idea how many
preservatives are in this stuff?

If you shot it into Gran,
she'd last another 80 years.

Sara, don't be silly.
It's Christmas.

Cookie g*ns are
flying off the shelves.

Well, these cookies
have to be homemade,

so I'm going to the store and
getting the proper ingredients.

All right, all right!

I was only trying to
make things easy for you.

Mom, if we're going to do
Gran's perfect Christmas list,

we might as well do it right.

Michelle, why do you
have to argue with her?

I thought you were gonna behave
yourself while she was here.

I was.

I was going to.

But she arrived
a few days early.

I wasn't ready.

♪ Oh, the countdown's on ♪

♪ Just a few more days
till Christmas comes ♪

♪ Gotta decorate
Got shopping left to do ♪

♪ Yeah, the countdown's on
So move along ♪

♪ Gotta get things right
for Christmas morn ♪

♪ Here he comes ♪

♪ Here comes Santa Claus ♪

Salted?
I don't think so.

Soy butter?

Hmm, tempting.

But not today.

Bacon butter?

Ugh!

Do you mind?
I actually could use that.

Oh, hey, it's you.

Hey, it's you.

You actually want that?

Um, yes, it works
in one of my recipes.

Do you know how much sugar
is in that lemonade?

Probably too much.

I mean, there's like
no juice at all.

I hear you,
but it goes a long way.

I'm sorry. I should just
mind my own business.

I mean, you are a doctor, right?

Yes, I am.

But you're right
about the lemonade.

So you're after some butter?

Yes. We're baking cookies
from scratch.

Okay, well, then I think
you'll probably want

something special like this.

It's from a local farm.
All natural ingredients.

I do a little work
for them sometimes.

I thought you
only treated people.

Uh, I do.

But I am also...

a handyman.

"Brandon." Hmm.

"Odd jobs done evenly."

You weren't kidding.

I've always wanted to just
fit in wherever I could,

so I look in on the elderly,
lower income families,

pretty much anyone who needs
a little extra help.

They pay me what they can,
when they can, if they can.

That's very generous of you.

It's nothing. A lot of people
helped me out when I needed it,

so I'm just trying
to pay it back a little.

Fair enough.

Of course.

Well, thank you for
the tip on the butter.

Organic.

I guess you do know
the good stuff when you see it.

I like to think so.

So you are Evie's
granddaughter, the writer.

That's right. We all feel
pretty bad she's stuck in bed,

hence the homemade cookies.

Mmm. That should do it.

Never known cookies to fail.

All right.

Cane sugar.

Baking flour.

Raisins.

Okay, what am I missing?

Oh, beats me.

When it comes to baking,
I'm a total shortcut kinda guy,

Ooh! But I can always use
some of these.

So what's up
with all the hot dogs?

I'm cooking for a lot of people.

I can see that.

But hot dogs?

I mean, there's nothing...

Okay, you could at least

spring for the all-natural,
all-beef kind.

You are right.
It will k*ll my budget,

but will put these back
just for you.

Don't be feeding those hot dogs
to my grandma now.

In your grandmother's situation,
I'd say any meal that suits her

is just fine by her doctor.

But these doggies
are not for my patients.

Oh! I think I get it.

You're also some kind of
Little League coach, right?

Yeah, sort of.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I should get going.
Can't keep the chef is waiting.

Your boyfriend's a chef?

No, no, no. It's, uh...
It's my mother.

Well, Merry Christmas

and, um...

good luck with your cookies.

Merry Christmas to you, too,
and your kids.

Looking good.

Of course.
The calculator never lies.

I didn't realize how essential
algebra was to oatmeal cookies.

Imagine what you could've baked
if you'd gone to Harvard.

I can't find
the measuring spoons.

- What do you need?
- Half a teaspoon of salt.

Oh! No problem.

My grandmother never used
measuring spoons.

She would just pour stuff
into the small of her hand

and it came out perfect
every time.

Mom, that's ridiculous.

Found them.

Ah ah ah!

Told you.

I don't believe it.

All finished?

Oh, yes.
Dinner was perfect.

I'm glad you liked it.
I brought you a treat.

Michelle, the smell of
freshly baked cookies

filled the house all afternoon.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- No, don't be.

I thought I died
and went to heaven.

Mom, please don't say
things like that.

It was just what
the doctor ordered.

- Did you have any fun?
- Sure I did.

It reminded me of some things
I'd forgotten,

so yeah, it was great.

And now we have something tasty
to remember the day.

Hey, Pops.

You wanna try one?

Hey. Thank you.

Mm!

Well?

Very good!

Glad you like 'em.

Well, I learned
a few things today.

Yeah, me too.

Thanks for coming home.

I didn't want to.
You begged me, remember?

Well, you're
a big girl now, Sara.

Well...

You'll have a lot of important
decisions to make in your life,

but I think you made
the right one this time.

I did it for you and Gran.

But sometimes I wonder.

About what?

I was in the market
earlier today,

and I saw Gran's doctor.

Oh?

He seemed so sharp at first,

but his entire cart
was full of junk food.

I mean, fake lemonade,
fruit punch,

more packs of cheap hot dogs
than I could count

and a giant block
of bacon-flavored butter.

What do you do with that?

That's what I thought.

There was nothing with any
nutritional value whatsoever

in his entire cart.

And did you feel compelled
to tell him all about that?

Well, of course.

Do you do that a lot
when you go to the market?

Sometimes.

Mm-hmm.

"Mm-hmm." Okay, what's that
supposed to mean?

Ah. Don't judge a man

until you've walked a mile
in his bacon-flavored shoes?

I'm just putting it out there.

Ohh...

I need a drink.

♪ Oh, we wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

Ever since I came home,
my mom's been acting weird.

Not exactly nice or anything,
just weird.

And you think
she's up to something?

I don't know.
As rude as she is,

she's actually been
on her best behavior.

Maybe she finally realized
she's wrong.

Please! You don't walk away

from a literary scholarship
at Harvard

to write and draw
children's books.

I might as well have just
stabbed her right in the eye.

Why does she care,
as long as you're happy?

Happy and successful?

Why, indeed.
I don't know.

I guess it's just 'cause
it wasn't her plan.

It's not what she had
planned for me.

Some parents want you to be
everything that they never were.

And you're an only child,
aren't you?

That's right.
Her one shot at glory,

and I let her down.

Not this kid.

I lived up to all
my parents' expectations.

Oh, Ashley, do you want me
to buy you a drink?

Kinda, yeah.

Oh, but I think what sets her
off the most is the fact,

as soon as I left home,
she lost all control of me.

She just can't stand it.

Well, take this week
to get to know your grandma.

You'll be a better person
for it.

And if not that,
you can work on your next book.

The Mouse That Bombed Its Mom.

Oh, Jeez!

Okay, girl,
you better watch out.

'cause I'm gonna
steal that from you.

Take it.

It's my Christmas gift to you.

Would you like a cinnamon roll?

I thought I smelled something.

I only heated them up.

I'll take two.

Don't get spoiled.

Too late.

- There you go.
- I know.

Dad, are you gonna eat
both of those?

Yes, I am.

Would you like
a cinnamon roll, Sara?

"Enriched flour, niacin..."

- Sara.
- Hmm?

Did you sleep well?

I did.

I'm going to bring a cinnamon
roll to Gran with her coffee.

Excellent idea.

Here.

Mmm!

Morning, Sara!

Morning, Gran.
How you feeling?

All glued to this bed.

Life's tough at the bottom.

Mom made hot cinnamon rolls.

Your mother?

I never known her
to make breakfast.

Eat it and weep.

Well, looks okay to me.

Dad's had two already,
and he's still kicking.

It's a Christmas miracle.

Yeah.

I think it's straight
already, Mom.

How many times
do you have to do that?

It only looks straight
to someone like you.

It's not perfectly straight.

And it never will be.

That's your problem, Sara.

You never see what's wrong
with the world.

And you can never see
what's right with it.

Well, you are going to love
the next activity

on Gran's
perfect Christmas list.

What is it?

Number 2.

Gran thinks it's high time
we had a real Christmas tree.

The perfect Christmas tree.

A real tree?
But you and your father

put up the artificial tree
every Christmas Eve.

Mom, if we don't have a real
tree, it's gonna k*ll her.

No, no, no, we'll get it!
We'll get a real tree!

We will get a real tree
and a Dustbuster,

but we will get a tree!

Okay, Mom, easy.

Oh, and we also have to
cut it down ourselves.

Cut it down ourselves?

Cut it down?

Are you sure?

Let's ask.

Mom? Mom.

Mom?

Mom!

We'll get the tree.
We'll get the tree!

I'll never forgive myself!

[screaming]

Michelle!
What are you doing?

- You're not dead.
- Not yet!

I'm sorry.

Have you lost your mind?

I'm so sorry.

Go back to sleep.

Go back to sleep.
Sorry.

Go back to sleep, Mom.
Go back to sleep.

It's all okay.

Well, that was exciting.

We're gonna get
right on that tree thing now.

I'm sorry. There just aren't
any live Christmas tree farms

within 150 miles of here.

Guess there's just
no market for it anymore.

Just have to tell her
it can't be done.

No!

I mean I don't want
to disappoint my mother.

This list business
means so much to her.

We're just gonna have
to think outside the box.

Where there's a way,
there's a will.

Or something like that.

Mom, it's not
the end of the world.

Mom?

There.

Really?

You're not suggesting that we...

I am.

Honey, that tree's 20-feet tall.

We only need eight feet of it.

That's crazy.

My mother wants a cut tree,

and that is what
she is going to get.

Come visit me in prison.

Hi. Dr. Read?

Brandon.

This is Sara,
Evelyn's granddaughter.

Yeah, that's me.
That one.

Um, I have a question.

You wouldn't happen to have
a small chainsaw

that a girl would be able
to borrow for the evening,

would you?

You do? Great!

Oh, no, nothing special.

Just a little sawing is all.

Sure, around 5:00?

You know where I live.

Okay.

Hi.

I brought you a present.

- Come in.
- Thank you.

So, uh, do you know
how to use one of these?

I mean, it's not a toy.

I used cut my own firewood,
I'll have you know.

I'm a regular lumberjack.

I should've known.

I guess just give me a call
when you're done with it.

You got it, Doc.

Thank you, by the way.

So how's your grandmother doing?

Oh.

She's sleeping.

That's perfect.

That's what I hear.

Okay, well...

good night.

Good night.

Well, he's seemed like
a very nice young man.

And a doctor too.

He seemed too good to be true.

Mom, please.

What? I'm allowed
to have an opinion.

Really? I hadn't noticed.

Stop, you two! Please.

Okay.

I'm sorry.

Don't we have
some cutting to do?

Right!

Wow.

That's a big tree.

It's a perfect tree.

Okay.

Strike one.

All right, one more, one more.

Not bad.

[groaning]

- Oh!
- Uh-oh!

[screaming]

It's all yours now.

Stand back.

[motor revs]

Can't believe the things
you two have been up to

these past few days.

I can't believe it either.

Something's gotten into Mom.

She's changed some.

Yeah, she has.

Dad, is something wrong?

No, no.

I think she just wants to make
Christmas the best she can

for everyone,

for her mother's sake.

Why? She's never cared before.

You might ask yourself
the same question.

Me?

Please. Dad, Mom and I
are nothing alike.

Are you so sure?

Yes, I am.

Then where have you been
the past few Christmases?

Dad, you know why
I don't come around.

And what about your grandmother?

Why can't you
come around her place?

Oh! That is
some kind of tree.

Sure is. Just a little
off the top, huh?

Come on, you two.
Breakfast is on.

Dad, I'm sorry.

I don't know what to say.

You know I love you.

I'm gonna go check on Gran.

Gran?

Gran?

Don't get excited.
I'm coming, I'm coming.

Gran, you're supposed to call
for someone if you need help.

Exactly, but I didn't
need any help,

so I didn't call for any.

Fair enough.
How's the ankle, Gran?

Oh, it's fine, darling,
thank you.

Oh, Tim tells me
that you got the tree.

Yes, and it's a beauty.
Can't wait for you to see it.

But before that, we have...

"Make the perfect
Christmas cards."

Do you want to go on, dear?
You really don't have to.

So far, so fun.

Besides, this doesn't look
too difficult.

But you have to use an old
photograph from a past Christmas

on each card.

Gran, do you remember the name
of the Christmas book

I wrote last year?

No, I don't. I forgot.
But I loved it.

Uh-huh.

It was called The Mouse
Who Missed His Christmas List.

Oh, that's right, yeah.

It's about this mouse
who moves into a house

where everyone is divided.

But he brings the family
together again

by convincing them
to perform a special list

of holiday activities.

Oh, that is such a lovely story.

You'll find all the old
photographs out in a box

in the garage.

I really don't like sacrificing
my old photographs

to make Christmas cards.

Mom, what's the problem?

Well, you have to cut them up.

It's gonna destroy them.

Mom, they were just rotting away
in a box in a garage.

Sara, they weren't rotting away.
They were being preserved.

All right.
We won't cut them.

We'll just tape them lightly
to the outside of the card.

Okay.

Hey, look who it is.

Hey, Gran!

Mom, are you sure you're
well enough to be doing this?

I'm just gonna sit here
and watch.

What good is a perfect Christmas

if you can't even experience
a little bit of it firsthand.

Mom...

All right.

We're happy that you're here.

Oh, look at the tree!
So beautiful.

I'm glad you like it.

I'm sorry that I tried
to suffocate you yesterday.

That's okay. You just scared me
a little bit there.

Hey, take a look at that.

I wanted that bike so badly

I think I took it to bed
one or two times.

[chuckles]
Oh!

Look at that hair.

I look like a squirrel.

[squeaking]

I never approved of that bike.

I thought it was
far too dangerous

for such a young girl.

But your father had to prevail.

Don't let her fool you.
She allowed me to prevail.

Well, it was a pretty bike.

Well, someone is getting this
on their card.

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[laughs] That's a picture of
your mother in high school.

They used to call her "Shell."
She was so serious.

Even then she wore collars
that were so stiff and sharp

it would cut her neck
like a razor.

- I still have the scars.
- Oh, stop it, you two.

Give me that.
Give me that right now!

Oh!

Look at this. Oh, my!

Look at this handsome fella.

What is that?
One of those hippies

or a gypsy or something?

Excuse me.

What's the matter with her?

The man in the snapshot
is your mother's father.

Your grandfather.

Wait. What?

So the portrait
in the living room,

the soldier in the uniform?

It's the same man, Sara,
all cleaned up.

That was after he was
drafted into the army.

But here is the real man
that I married.

Oh, he was so sweet.

He just didn't know
how to keep his head down

when all those b*ll*ts
flying around.

You remind your mother of him,
more than you'll ever know.

How?

I mean, how?

He loved to draw
and make up silly stories,

just like you do.

Really?

He never took anything
very seriously.

Some people think
that's what got him k*lled.

Oh.

That's your Christmas ring.

Yes. It's time to put it on.

It's really pretty.

The last thing
my father gave me.

I remember how excited I was

when I opened it
on Christmas morning.

It looks new.

Yes, well, I only put it on
once a year.

Dad always said it would bring
the wearer much happiness.

Hmm. Did it?

No.

But it's very pretty, isn't it?

It really is.

Sara...

the man in that snapshot,
that was your grandfather.

That was the man my mom married.

I should never have
put him in a box.

No, I shouldn't.

Going skating?

What?

You look like you're
getting ready to hit the rink.

Oh, no. I don't skate.

So says the girl
holding a pair of skates.

Oh, no, these old things,
no, they're useless.

Useless? May I?

If you want.

I don't think they'll fit you.

Well, you should
try it sometime.

I could teach you.

You don't say.

I got your message.

Did everything work all right

with the cutting of
your own firewood and such?

It did. Thank you.

Not a problem.

Are you doing anything tonight?

Because I would love
to show you around the ice,

if I even were to promise

that you wouldn't fall
and break anything.

Well, if I did, you'd be
right there to patch me back up.

Right.

So what do you say?

- Definitely.
- Great.

Maybe.

Then it's a date.

Mm-hmm.

Mom, I brought you some tea.

- [laughter]
- Here you go.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Ah, the home-baked cookies.

Oh, I'm gonna get fat
if you keep this up.

Oh, it's the holidays.

You're not supposed to think
about things like that.

Well, I guess you're right.

But I am the one that forced you
to bake them in the first place.

But what do I care?

Nobody forced anybody
to do anything.

And I'd do it again
in a heartbeat.

You would?

Absolutely.

Why?

What do you mean, why?

Why are you acting so different
all of a sudden?

Sara!

No, Gran, I have to ask.

Well, I guess I just realized
how suddenly things can change.

I think we should make the most
of the time we have together

while we have it, okay?

Sara, your mother's
working so hard

to make this
a perfect Christmas.

Aren't you having a good time?

Well, of course.
That's what worries me.

Oh, Sara.

All right, Mother,
what's next on your list?

This should be interesting.

Next up we have...

drumroll...

Ice skating.

Ice skating?

Ice skating.

- Ohh!
- Ooh!

Nothing says
California Christmas

like the inside of an ice rink.

Must be 36 degrees in here.

32.

She knows I can't skate...

I don't know what
she expects me to do.

What are you afraid of?
You're a fast learner.

Easy for you to say.
You can skate.

That was a long time ago,
remember?

I put that all behind me.

You didn't have to.

You had talent.
You could've been great.

Yeah, and I could've also
baked cookies at Harvard

if only they had
a cooking class.

You know, sometimes I think
you gave up on these things

just because
I wanted them for you.

Really?

You just thought about that
right now?

Right now?

Come on, let's go
put our skates on.

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells
Colder in a wishing well ♪

♪ Wishing that this holiday
would make your way ♪

♪ To celebrate Christmas
here with me ♪

♪ Whoo-hoo ♪

Look at those kids go.
They make it look so easy.

Like they don't have a care
in the world.

Like nothing else matters.

It's just you, the cold...

ice.

Did you say something?

Huh? No.

- Oh, look.
- There they are.

Good evening, Mrs. Edwin.

Right on time.

I try to be.

Oh, I get it.

This whole thing
was set up in advance.

Well, a refresher course
wouldn't hurt.

Shall we?

Oh, no, no, no.
You two go ahead.

I'll wait right here.

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm fine right here.

Besides, I'd like to see
Sara skate again.

Mom...

Have you been holding out on me?

Well, a girl has to have
some secrets.

Well, we'll be back.
Let's see what you got.

[laughing]

♪ Can you feel the love that's in the air ♪

♪ Mistletoe and holly everywhere ♪

Well, thank you for meeting me
out on the ice.

Thank you for saving me.

[laughing]

Push and glide.

- Push and glide.
- You got it.

[laughing]

- You're so fast.
- It's cool.

♪ Catching a snowflake on our tongue ♪

♪ And it lets me know that you're the one ♪

♪ As we fa la la la so much better ♪

♪ When we're making merry together ♪

♪ Let's go out and deck the halls tonight ♪

♪ I hear the sleigh bells ring ♪

♪ And all the joy they bring in it ♪

♪ Oh, it makes me want to say ♪

♪ That I fa la la la so much better ♪

♪ When we're making merry together ♪

♪ Let's go out and deck the halls tonight ♪

[screams]

I'll be right back.

You all right, buddy?

- Your knee hurt?
- Yeah.

Okay, here, let's get you up.

- Is that your dad over there?
- Yeah.

Okay, why don't you take a rest
for a little bit.

Brandon!

Oh!

[groaning]

Oh, man.

Okay. Does anything hurt
besides your pride?

Everything, including my pride.

Are you ready
to get out of here?

- Yes. I've had enough fun.
- All right.

Let's get you up.
I gotcha.

Let's go check on my mom.

- Doing all right?
- Yeah.

I wonder where your mom is.

Oh... look.

Look at her go.

I am speechless.

She's pretty brave out there.

Be right back.

Can I get a photo op,
Miss Edwin?

Oh, what are you doing?

Hard evidence.

Well, at least I tried.

Mom, that was amazing.

- Nothing to it.
- Right.

Ohh!

It is not that funny.

- Yes, it is.
- Oh, stop!

Nah, you did great.

Wow. Would you look at that.

Oh, wow.

Wow.

I'm impressed.

I've laced up once or twice.

I'm just a bit rusty,
that's all.

Not too much.

So do you have any big plans
for Christmas Eve?

Uh...

I'm kinda booked up.

Ah.

Christmas Day?

Most of it.

There's just a lot going on,
you know?

Well, sure. Me too.

I-I was... I was just wondering.

But if anything changes,
maybe I can give you a call.

Yeah.

If you want.

I mean, you have my number.

Okay, great.

This was fun.

Yeah.

Thank you, by the way, for...

Oh, no problem.

I'll... I'll see you.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Well, are you ready?

What's wrong, Sara?

Nothing. I just...

I just thought
he really liked me.

Well, he seemed very interested.

I know. I...

I wanted to invite him over for
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,

but he said he was too busy.

Maybe he's involved
with someone else.

That's what I was thinking,
but he's not acting that way.

Men are hard
to figure out sometimes.

I'm sorry, honey.

Are you really sorry,
or are you just saying that?

I'm really sorry.

Ah.

Well, thanks.

I guess it would've been tough

to get past the fake lemonade
and hot dogs anyway.

There are worse things in life
than fake lemonade and hot dogs.

Come on.
Let's go home.

[laughter]

EVIE: Look at her!
Oh, my God!

SARA: I will give her an A
for effort though.

When her father died,

she felt that she had
to grow up overnight.

No more fun and games.

She just became
so serious so fast.

But at least she still
remembers how to have fun.

I thought she had forgotten.

- What are you two looking at?
- Nothing.

Mom, how was breakfast?

Ah! I swear, Michelle,
since I've come here,

I'm convinced that
you're trying to k*ll me.

Mom! Don't say that.

- I have never eaten so much.
- Oh!

Okay, well, that wasn't funny.

Well, it was very nice, dear.
I ate every bit.

Good. Okay.

Uh, Gran, Gran,
what is this about?

Sara, I always regretted

your crazy childhood fear
of Santa Claus.

It's always made Christmas
such an interesting time.

The screaming and the crying.

And the fainting
and the shaking.

That was a long time ago.

And the hair-pulling
and the biting.

And the accidents.

Enough already, okay?

So I think that
after all these years,

I'm entitled to
a nice glossy photograph

of the two of you
sitting on Santa's lap.

Mom, no! You remember
what happened last time?

No! I can totally do this.
I am an adult, you know.

Besides, I've got much better
control over those things now.

Well, I hope so.

Oh, good.
Then it's all settled.

Don't you think people will find
it strange that two grown women

want to have their picture
taken on Santa's lap?

I mean, it's a little outside
their normal business.

Sara, having your picture
taken on Santa's lap

is their normal business.

Besides, it's the day
before Christmas.

I'm sure they'll be fine with it
as long as the check clears.

Oh, Michelle!

Just the person I wanted to see.

I know, Fran.

I've been out of touch lately
with the holidays and all.

I'm sorry.

Sara Edwin!
My kids love your books.

Why didn't you tell anybody
she was coming home?

Well, I...

Would you mind signing this
to my boy Tommy?

- Of course not. Tommy?
- Yeah.

All right.

"Tommy, may there always be
a mouse in your house."

There you go.

Thank you!

Well, gotta run.

And shame on you,
Michelle Anne Edwin,

keeping your big-shot daughter
all to yourself.

Does that happen often?

I don't know.

Come on. Let's find Santa
and get this over with.

- Oh, God.
- We have to do this.

You can do this.

You girls jiggy for a photo
with Big Red?

Did you say jiggy?

Rad, right?

Ugh. You read my mind.

You got style, babe.

Thank you.

Next!

h* h* h*!
Merry Christmas!

Come on, young lady!
Take a seat on Santa's lap!

Come on, it's okay!

Come on. Come on over.
Take a seat on Santa's lap.

Come on.

You might regret this.

And what would you like
for Christmas, young lady?

[whispering]

Say cheese!

Okay, it's done.

- Merry Christmas, Santa.
- Merry Christmas to you.

Next!

Okay, come on!

Come on, lady!
Come on.

- Take a load off.
- What?

Get up there, Mom.

If I can do it, you can do it.

Come on! You're holding up
the whole line!

Come on! There we go.
There we go.

Sit right here.

Say cheese!

Cheese!

Okay, well, thank you.

Wait, wait.

Now, I did something for you.

Perhaps you could do a little
something for ol' Santa Claus.

What?

For the past five Christmases,

your husband has asked
only one thing of you,

and that is a subscription

to Popular Fly Fishing
and Outdoor Sportsmagazine.

Couldn't you get it for him.?

- It's only 20 bucks.
- How did you know about that?

I'm Santa Claus.

Okay, I will.

I will.

I will.

Next!

You both, um, look petrified.

- It was a breeze.
- It was... fun.

Good. Thank you.

Ahh!

Mom, are you all right?

Well, I'm kinda tired.

Maybe I should just go
lie down for a while.

Well, here, here,
let me help you.

I'm so proud of both of you.

It's been a perfect
Christmas so far.

Gran, save your breath.
Need to get you to bed.

I'm coming, I'm going.
I'm coming and going.

There you go. All set?

All set.

I guess we've finally come to
the end of your Christmas list.

- Not quite.
- Really?

Number 9:
Give unto others.

This is
the day before Christmas,

and we must do
something charitable

for the children's shelter.

They could really use it.

That's a snap.
I'll write a check.

A check? Mom, there's nothing
proactive about that.

It's always worked before.

Not today.
We are going to earn it.

♪ ♪

Okay. I'm gonna
set up over here.

You can set up
over there by the door.

That way we can catch people
coming and going.

All right,
but I feel ridiculous.

I'm too old to be running around
in a skimpy outfit.

Mom, you have to have a way
to get people's attention.

You've gotta tell 'em
to sell 'em.

Excuse me.

Would you mind moving down
about ten feet?

I need this space
to put my bucket down.

You sure ten feet
will be enough?

This is for a very worthy cause.

Like I'm not
a very worthy cause?

Oh, for goodness sake.

Here. Now please move down
about 10 feet.

Thank you.

♪ ♪

Merry Christmas.

Help the children!

Merry Christmas.

I don't get it.

What's she got that I don't got?

A shorter skirt.

- [cloth tearing]
- [wolf whistle]

Help the children?

Help the children, sir?

Ah, come on.
Give it all.

Bless your heart.

Help the children?

Hey, bub, could you
jazz it up a little bit?

It's Christmastime.

Christmastime!

♪ ♪

What's going on here?

Raising money for
the children's shelter.

Dollar for the bucket?

Great show.

Merry Christmas!

Well, if it isn't
the Dancing Edwin Sisters.

What are you doing here?

Um, it's a grocery store.
I shop here sometimes.

So I thought you were supposed
to be super busy today.

I am. I just forgot
a few things.

Okay. Well, don't let me
stop you.

Okay. I'll, uh, see ya.

Brandon.

Yeah.

Dollar for the bucket?

Sure.

Good work, Mom.
Delivering all these gifts

is gonna make us feel
so good on the inside.

I hope so because every inch
of my outside is k*lling me.

[laughs]

- Ohh!
- Whew!

Oh, there you are.
Hello!

- h* h* h*!
- Let me give you a hand.

Oh, that'd be great.
Where do you want these, here?

Right there, please.

I couldn't believe it when
you guys called out of the blue.

It's just a miracle.

The children haven't had much
to look forward to this year.

I just wish there was more
we could've done.

Well, believe me,
it's more than most people.

It's hard to imagine
there are so many children

with nowhere to go at Christmas.

It's because these are
the older kids.

Most people are only interested
in the babies.

Can we hand these out now?

We've got a five-pound roast
in the oven at home,

and I'm afraid it'll burn.

Oh, how nice!

- Mom!
- Well, I didn't mean...

I just meant that
it is Christmas Eve.

Of course.

What's that smell?

Uh-oh.

Oh, that's
the children's dinner.

Hot dogs for
Christmas Eve dinner?

Things have been a little more
difficult this year

than I care to admit.

h* h* h*.

All right, the cookies are done.

Hot pan coming through.

Oh, hey, look who it is.

Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!

Hello.

Hey. See? I told you
I had plans for Christmas.

You did.
I just didn't realize.

Brandon donates so much
of his time around here,

fixing things up
and helping us out,

he barely has a life of his own.

I don't know what we'd do
without him.

It's nothing, really.

I couldn't have done it
without this though.

[clears throat]

Okay, what do you say we get
all these cookies and presents

out to the kids
before they start a riot?

Dessert before dinner?

Oh, come on.
If your Christmas Eve dinner

was hot dogs and some lemonade,

wouldn't you want
a cookie first?

I would.

[yelling]

All right, who's first?

Me! Me!

All right. Make sure you guys
get your presents.

All right.

- There you go!
- Thank you!

Here you go.

One more. Ready? Catch.

Thank you.

And for you.

Okay.

- Okay.
- Thank you.

Oh!

What?

What is it, dear?

Oh, excuse me.

Who's next?

- What?
- I'm sorry, Mrs. Edwin.

Katie can't speak or hear.

Oh.

It's okay.
She was born this way.

That's why her parents
didn't keep her.

Oh, dear God.

It's all right.

She's loved here.

What's she saying?

She wants to know if there's
anything in the bag for her.

Oh, you didn't get a present?

No.

Oh. Yes!

Yes, there is!
You know what?

It was so small that it got lost
in the bottom of the bag.

Here it is.

A Christmas ring just for you.

Give me your hand.

A little piece of yarn
and it'll be perfect.

Are you sure,
Mrs. Edwin?

Yes.

Katie wants to know,
is it hers to keep?

Yes, dear.

Forever and ever.

Tell her.

Tell her that this ring

will always bring the wearer
much happiness.

Who would like to hear
Miss Sara's story?

Me!

Could you be convinced?

I could, but I think my mom

would do a much better job
than me.

What, me?

Oh, no!

Vote's already in.

Oh, all right.

All right.

A Mouse in the House
for Christmas

by Sara Edwin.

[cheering]

Okay, all right.

"This story begins
with a squeak."

Mom, you have to hit
the word "squeak" harder.

Huh?

The squeak!

"This story begins
with a squeak!"

[laughter]

"And is not to be told
by the meek."

Ahem.

"And is not to be told
by the meek."

[laughter]

"It was the cat's meow...

that alerted the cow...

and frightened
the fish in the creek!"

Who wrote this?

She's pretty good.

Honeys, I'm home!

Just put them on the table.

We'll eat in a minute.

I still don't know
why I'm bringing

these burgers and fries home.

I thought Sara
was gonna make a roast.

Change of plans, Dad!
And I burned the roast.

Oh...

We'll make it up to you.
I promise.

I promise.

All right.

Suddenly I can't wait to see
what's gonna happen tomorrow.

Okay, here we go.

Yay!

Now, kids, there's no need for
all this excessive cheering.

Or maybe there is.
What the heck? Yay!

[cheering]

All right, kids,
let's settle down

I think it's time for us to eat.

This has been a really
exciting time for them.

I really didn't know what
today was gonna be like,

but I didn't think it was gonna
turn out to be like this.

I know I said yesterday that
we wished we could've done more,

but I guess all we had to do
was dig a little deeper.

I'm so glad we did.

What you guys have done
has been absolutely amazing.

I would have to agree.

Is my mom signing?

Yeah, she is.
She's not half bad either.

Mom, I didn't know
you could sign.

Old Mrs. Higgins
at the bridge club was deaf,

so I had to learn sign language
or I was gonna lose a partner.

Comes in handy sometimes,
if you know what I mean.

[laughter]

I'll bet your mother's
just full of surprises.

Oh, she certainly is.

What's she saying?

Well, she asked Katie
if she could tell her a secret,

and Katie says sure.

So what's the secret?

I can't tell you that.
It's a secret.

She's my mother.

Well, all right.

I guess it's not anything
that you don't already know.

Your mother told Katie that
she's gonna be leaving soon.

She told her? Poor thing.
It's just breaks my heart.

Well, it doesn't
sound so bad to me.

She said she's gonna be
selling her condo,

and moving into a large
two-bedroom poolside suite

at the country club.

Country club?

Poolside?

Sounds pretty awesome.

Awesome.

[thud]

Tim!

[yelps]
I got him the subscription!

I got him the subscription!

Easy, Mrs. Edwin.
It's Brandon, Dr. Read.

[gasps]

Of course it is.

What happened?

You fainted, Mom.

Dad and Brandon
had to bring you in here.

Are you okay?

Yes. Yes, I'm fine.
Where's your father?

He's helping Miss Carrier
wrangle the kids.

I'll go get him.

Here. Do you wanna
try and sit up?

Yes. Thank you.

My mom's not dying.

I agree.

She's has a few health concerns,
but all her tests were negative.

I'd say she's got
a few miles left on her.

You sure you're okay?

Yes, yes, yes, I'm fine.

Okay.

Well, I've got a few goodies
to go pass out.

You really are a remarkable
young man, Brandon.

All that you do
for that shelter.

It's really nothing.
I grew up there.

Honey, are you all right?

Mom's not dying.

What?

She's not dying.

She's moving into a poolside
suite at the country club.

Are... Are you positive?

I'm positive.

[laughs]

Oh! All of this...
Oh, I could just k*ll her!

Well, you know,

she didn't actually say
she was dying.

- That was our mistake.
- That's true.

But you know, if you really
stop to think about it...

It was the best Christmas
of my entire life.

h* h* h* h* h*!

Let's see
what Santa has for you.

Oh, here's one for you.

Who wants the next one?

Oh, let's go with you.

Thank you!

You're welcome.

h* h* h* h*!

Miss Katie.

Where did you get
all these books?

I had 'em stashed
in the trunk of my car.

That was very smart of you.

Honey, do you have a pen?

Oh, kids don't care about that.

It's not for the kids.

Here's Santa's little helper.

Who wants another
Mouse in the House

for Christmas?

Did everyone get one?

One for you.

- Thank you!
- You're welcome.

Gracias.

Now, what do we say
to good old Santa Claus?

Thank you!

But you're not Santa!

What?

Okay, you guys got me.

But I'll have you know that
I am a duly authorized agent

of the big man
in the North Pole himself.

No, you're not!

Yes, I am!
And I can prove it.

Prove it!

Oh, bossy! Okay.

Let's see.

Wha... What's that, Santa?

You want them
to go outside right now?

You want them to go
out front right now?

Go! Go, go, go!
Come on!

[kids yelling]

Very nice.

[yelling]

♪ It's the time of the year ♪

♪ When the church bells ring ♪

♪ Magic snow in the air ♪

♪ And the children sing ♪

♪ While Santa's filling
his shiny red sleigh ♪

♪ We're hanging mistletoe ♪

Oh, man.

You've been very, very busy.

Well, it's just one day a year.

So how did you know
that a white Christmas

was the last thing on
Gran's perfect Christmas list?

A little mouse told me.

Uh-huh.

That was some list.

Did it do the trick?

It did.

You are something else.

I was gonna say
the same thing about you.

Oh!

[yelling]

So have you ever thought
about moving back here?

No.

But I could.

I guess a book could write
itself from anywhere, right?

You'd think so.

The Mouse Who Set Up House.

That's clever.
I like it.

Plus it's not a bad place
to raise a family, I guess.

Family?

Don't you think
we're moving a little fast?

That's not what I...

Did you just say "we"?

Yes, I did.

Okay.

But no more hot dogs.

Okay. No more hot dogs.

Except at Christmas.

For old times' sake.

For old times' sake.