Appendapulation

Notably absent from Santa Claus' tour yesterday was the Apendapulator, the great toy-making machine of the North Pole. That's because it is being upgraded this year by Gizmo Elf, Santa's chief inventing elf. "Gizmo and Waldo Elf have been working on some sort of upgrade for weeks," Santa told the North Pole Times, "and they're not letting anyone in to see what they're doing--even me."

Santa sighed. "He says his upgrade is going to completely change Christmas at the North Pole. I'm not sure that's a good idea though. I like Christmas the way it is now."

"I'm just glad he's got Waldo in there and not out here," said Louis Elf. "That elf is as silly as he is unstylish."

"Waldo may be silly, but he does have some good ideas," Mrs. Claus responded. "He's come up with some pretty clever solutions to problems in the past."

"Problems which he, his little elf-self, caused, may I add," replied Louis.

"Well, he's being helpful now, I guess, so let's leave them alone," said Santa. "Gizmo said the Apendapulator will be ready tomorrow, so we'll wait. He's never let me down before." Santa pulled something red, green, and beeping out of his pocket. "I just wish he'd stop and help me with Petey."

"Who is this Petey person, and how can he help you?" asked Louis.

"Petey's not a person, it's Santa's P.D.E.--his Personal Digital Elf,' said Mrs. Claus. "It's a little pocket computer Gizmo gave him last month. Santa doesn't know how to work it."

"I do too--a little," replied Santa. "I don't know why he keeps making this stuff for me. I was just getting the hang of my Wow-wee-whooper-do laptop computer, and now I have this new gizmo from Gizmo."

In the end, Santa and Mrs. Claus decided to wait until the grand unveiling before bothering Gizmo and Waldo. Check out The North Pole Times tomorrow to read all about it!