Christmas Tree

This year we decided to put up a Christmas tree.  This is the first time since we've had kids that we've put one up!  We put one up the first Christmas we were married, (and incidentally I was pregnant then) but we haven't since.  First, the kids were always real small and I was worried that they would pull it down on themselves, and second, I was always to lazy to do it.  Let's call it what it is... laziness.  I mean, there is the question of why we put up a Christmas tree and what it means in the actual holiday spirit, but Dude was so excited about putting one up this year I figured that it was OK.  I think we've come to the conclusion that as long as the kids don't think that's what Christmas is all about then we're fine with putting it up.

I know that I always liked putting up the Christmas tree with my family.  It was just another nice family time to spend together with Christmas music going and putting up our ornaments.  My Mom is so crafty that she made us Christmas ornaments every year, and when we moved out we got all the ornaments to take with.  So, we have a nice starter set, but I think that I'm going to start getting the kids their own too.  It's special to put your own stuff on the tree where you want it.  :)

So, this year we put on some Christmas music and Papa and the kids put up the tree.  I was feeling really tired and lame (there it is, the laziness thing again) and cheered them on from the couch.  They got the tree, the lights and a few ornaments on before the kids started to crash.

Putting the tree up

That meant that I got to spend some time with the kids and put the rest of them up.  :)  I still have to get our stockings from Mom and Dad's, and have a few more Christmas decoration ideas, but I think that it's getting to be pretty cozy.  :)  We don't have a tree topper yet, but Dude has requested that we put a star on top, so I think that we can handle that.

After we got the tree up the kids wanted to have a dance party using golf clubs...

Then, Lucy thought it would be hilarious to try and get into the tree...

I would still like to pick a different culture/tradition each year to learn about with the kids so that they can get a more rounded idea of what Christmas is to others around us.  This will definitely put an end to my laziness... hopefully :)  Now, we are just waiting for the snow to make it complete.  Dude says that he wants to make snowmen that are Momma, Papa, Lucy and Dude and Norah... and then snow dino's too!  I'm hoping to find him a dinosaur, or better yet dinosaur train ornament, this year for him.  I think he'd really like that.

Here's to the upcoming Christmas season.  Advent is just around the corner, and I can't wait to explore that together with the kids too!

JVG