This weekend, we got ready for the holidays. It's becoming a growing anticipated time of year for the kids {see 2009}, especially when it means we're getting close to snow season. We could have caught up on chores left from the week - but Saturday morning was too perfect not to spend searching for a tree to take home!
Oh look - a Brad Pitt sighting!
Just kidding - that's just Aaron... {smile}
For some reason, the net is a fascinating place to start. Once Aaron got our tree stand on, the kids practiced their motor skills snipping away at the netting...
For the past few years, Ava has helped me decorate the tree. Each year, she helps me unravel the tissue paper {glass ornaments} and hang them on the tree. As we hand them off to each other, I am given the opportunity to share stories about where they originated from. This process alone is a tradition of ours - and makes collecting these ornaments that much more enjoyable.
The weather warmed up outside {70's???} and Aaron and the kids strung the lights outdoors. {pics coming soon}. Boxes upon boxes have come down from the attic, and the house looks a little like we just moved in. It's a gradual transition - but a wonderful tradition - and we are enjoying it slowly...
I don't know how Brad managed to sneak into that photo... but he is looking pretty haggard. (Someone should let him know.)
ReplyDeleteIt was a little odd stringing up lights when it was 70 degrees outside, but it worked out much better than last year. I recall it being much colder. In fact, i think i had to make multiple trips inside to warm off.
Each year, the kids are able to help out more and more which is great. I think most of our ornaments are in the bottom 4 feet of the tree which is an indicator that Ava and Noah played a larger role in placing the ornaments up. The OCD in me wanted to reposition some of them so the tree is a bit more symmetrical, but I like the tree more this way - so at nighttime when we look at our "bottom-heavy" decorated tree, it is a reminder that this is for the kids.
The first few pictures are gorgeous - pure joy on Ava and Noah's faces. "Beauty full".
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tradition to talk about the ornaments and the stories behind them. One of the greatest joys of Christmas is the traditions. The anticiaption and excitement associated with traditions is so much fun.
Thanks so much Elise! They have been talking about the lights and a tree for weeks now. We usually shop for a tree the day after Thanksgiving {traditionally} - but the anticipation was making the kids silly. So we decided to finagle the "calendar" a bit and start this tradition earlier.
ReplyDeleteAaron - thanks so much for getting into the holiday spirit a month early, even though it was 70 degrees outside. I think "Brad" looks pretty darn good in that photo - look at those muscles...