The day after Thanksgiving we picked out and brought home our Christmas tree. I remember the selection of the Christmas tree being a long, drawn out process as a child (ok maybe a tween/teen), where we all had opinions that never seemed to match. With our family though, selecting and bringing home the Christmas tree takes about 20 minutes from leaving house to back at house. With a couple of great growers/lots near our home, and the fact that we all pretty much choose the same tree within a few minutes, it's pretty drama-free. It's also usually sunny and not freezing, which I LOVE.
The decorating of the Christmas tree is NOTHING BUT DRAMA. Cooper always wants to help with the lights and the ribbon and things that he really needs not to help with (like memorable, breakable ornaments); Nate "helps," but is done within about 20 minutes, especially with the kid drama going on; and Hudson is a little "helper," pulling things out of boxes, hanging about 20 ornaments on a single branch, nearly knocking the tree over about every 5 seconds....yeah. You get the picture: chaos, and a lot of of it. Not at all the peaceful, family bonding you see in movies. I usually let the boys have their fill, and then work on the tree after they all go to bed, while listening to Christmas music, and taking my time reminiscing over the meaningful ornaments full of memories.
All those meaningful, fragile ornaments had to be out of reach of our toddler, so the top third of our tree was heavy-laden with decorations, while the bottom seemed a bit bare. It was a bit top heavy!
On 11/29/14 I posted on Facebook: Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how many times will you be redecorated by the children? I have to remind myself that Christmas is for children. But I sure did get tired of the battle of tree vs. toddler (and often 5 year old too) before the month was through. I sure do love decorating the Christmas tree though, and decorating the rest of the house too.
The Saturday following Thanksgiving, while most other people were out shopping, we took the boys to sit on Santa's lap, avoiding the long lines later. Naturally we headed to Bass Pro Shops where it's free to visit Santa. Cooper was excited to put in his Christmas requests. Hudson wasn't exactly thrilled to be sat on the knee of a strangely dressed stranger, but I didn't expect any different.
Hudson loved the train. The boy loves trains.
Mommy helped Hudson write his letter to Santa:
Dear Santa, I am such a good boy for mommy and daddy. I would like a vacuum and some blocks. Love, Hudson Smith, 18 months old
Daddy helped Cooper write his letter to Santa, but Coop dictated what to write:
Dear Santa: Helicopter, Nerf gun, tool box. Please send me these. Sincerely, Cooper Smith
This kid sure doesn't sugar coat it--ha!
After our visit to Santa, we ate lunch and the boys enjoyed a ride on the merry-go-round. This was Hudson's first riding one where he knew what was going on, and he loved it. He loved it so much that it was all tears and fits when it was time to get off.
At preschool Cooper's class made and decorated a gingerbread house together as a class. Cooper was proud of it, and wanted his picture taken with it.
We acquired a few more Christmas decorations, and the house started to look a little like Christmas.
Christmas cards were mailed.
And in keeping with the winter season, we had lots of sickness. Those bright red, flushed cheeks were present a lot during the winter months as the boys battled cold virus after cold virus. So many ear infections between the two of them! Ah, good ol' winter.
One day the boys were playing together with the Santa hats. What a cute pair of Santa's little helpers.
"You're right, Bug. Why do you think that?"
"Because it's so fun to buy presents and get toys, and everyone is so happy...[pause, and then in a softer voice]...but, Mommy, the real reason it's so wonderful is because we get to think about Jesus every day, and how He was a teeny tiny baby, and how He was born. That is the most wonderful part of all."
And my heart nearly burst with joy.
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