And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof. The praneing and pawing of each little hoof. What does this mean?

Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. What does the author mean when he writes "tore open the shutters and threw up the sash"?

And mamma in her kercheif, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. What does the author mean when he writes they "Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap"?

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar -plums danced in their heads. What does it mean to have :visions of sugar-plums" dance in their heads?

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! What does this mean?

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow! Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. What does the author mean when he writes the moon "gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below"?