December Christmas Tree Decorating

Tree Decorating 2019

Well I think we did a pretty good job this time.

Way less trimming needed compared

to last year!

On go the lights!!

What a good helper!

 

 Ms. A put some of our trimming to creative use!

Decorating time!!

 

Wala! The tree is ready.

 The kids were very excited to start our christmas reading tradition!

Let the festivities begin!

tree cutting!!

My men and their trees!

Shane took Mr. T again to get a tree.

McLean Creek looked so pretty!

He picked a wild one.

 

Haha it was so FAT!

 

But we trimmed it up and it was just right!

Live trees are always more work but

it is always worth it!

 

Family time at it's best!

Decorating the Christmas tree, a right of passage!

 One of my favorite memories when I was little was

decorating the tree with my siblings.

I remember boxes of ornaments and lights 

and treats being pulled out.

I also remember all the rights of passage that were 

connected to tree decorating.

The first year of being big enough to hang 

glass ornaments, or being given an important task 

like putting on the lights, 

or helping to screw the base of the tree straight.

Being the baby of my family I always loved 

to be the one to plug in our star.

So I try and keep up with tradition and 

make tree decorating a big deal.

The kids were Very Very eager to help 

and of course Ms. A couldn't stand 

being height restricted, and got herself a stool 

so she could reach almost to the top of our tree.

All month Ms. V was pulling ornaments off 

and shaking the dangly beads.  

I'm super glad that we have a good vacuum and that 

the tree didn't fall over even once this year!

Our Christmas Tree! aka chilling out!

So the first Monday night in December Shane took the girls down the street 

to the local store to get a tree (which we had been preparing for all day)

 vacuuming floors, digging out ornaments and moving furniture!! 

We had a fantastic time getting it up and ready. 

(dad spoiled us with eggnog and oranges as well)

 

We let the girls stay up late and watch dad finish lighting the tree. 

 

Then for a couple of days after we put on a few ornaments every morning 

ending with Ms. A's request for candy canes (for the tree).

I decided after the first day of decorating the tree with 

the girls that I must have just relaxed or maybe 

just enjoying my reality a bit more. 

The first year we were married I enjoyed my themed tree and 

all the trimmings that went together.  

We had Ms. A shortly after the next Christmas and again 

I enjoyed my themed tree.  

The next couple of Christmases I simply decorated about 1/2 the tree 

themed and other fun kid friendly stuff on the bottom.  

(kind of a split personality tree)

Now this year Ms. A was so impatient to get decorating the tree 

that she was already decorating by the time I found the 

appropriate decorations - she had draped the tree with her own 

necklaces, bead, toys, crafts, and fabric scraps.  

I began formulating a conversation in my head with my toddler,

 hoping to think of a compromise (without getting her too sad.)  

Needless to say my brain was either not functioning 

that well that morning or the solution was simply,

UM LET IT GO! Its just a tree after all.  

So I have. 

I continued to let her decorate the tree however she wants, 

and she still randomly decides to put her toys on the tree.  

But I love how it's growing!!

 

Who am I to squash her creativity because I like the thought of 

a perfectly decorated tree.  

Besides in 5 years I'll be happy I let her do it because 

she'll be happy to help me decorate my perfect tree then!!  

I have so many memories of doing this same thing 

with my siblings at our house growing up.  

Mom would sit in an easy chair handing out ornaments 

and my sister and I would decorate the tree 

with mom giving us some pointers.  

So I guess I've chilled out a bit or realized this is a tiny thing 

I can do without controlling in order to grow 

a lasting relationship with my girls!  

Ms. A is finally getting old enough that holidays are super fun 

for her and she is very excited to learn about and 

participate in each one.  

I'm definitely not going to let my over-controlling 

attitude squash that enthusiasm!!  

After all most holidays are way more fun with kids!