Christmas Tree

We have had our Christmas tree up since the Sunday after Thanksgiving. It took everything I had to not go get it earlier though. "Go get it?" you ask?

Yes. We kill trees. Christmas trees, to be exact - of the pine persuasion.

I don't feel bad either. Have you ever read that book, "A Wish to be a Christmas Tree"? It is what they were planted for. It is what they want. It's their time to shine! The tree that doesn't get to be a Christmas tree is the sad one...see he's crying...

Anyway, on with it. Heath and I have always had a real Christmas tree. Heath, my dad, and I would go to the patch every year and pick it out. Then, we would bring it home. Heath and dad would watch football while I decorated. It was a lovely tradition. Last year, it included Lucy. And, as time changes all things, this year my dad was in Texas. Heath, Lucy and I decided to continue our "real tree" tradition. Going to pick it out and bringing it home is half the fun! It is a tradition we hope Lucy gets excited about year to year.

Oh, remind me to tell you about some of the funny stories from Christmas tree traditions past.

This year, we didn't have my dad's truck. We decided, like the Griswolds, we could strap that baby to the roof of our SUV. Why not? They have twine. (Is anyone thinking about the Mayhem commercial right now?)

Once at the farm and freezing our buns off, we decided on a 7 foot beauty. If you ask me, it looks taller though. Heath and I asked each other several times, "Will this work?" We were referring to the car of course. The tree farm...guy, for lack of a better title, suggested trying to put it IN the SUV. Okay...laying the seats down...hmm....okay...let's try it!  And, this is what happened to Lucy.

The needles would touch her arm occasionally. She was sure to let us know all about it. It was a little invasive, space wise. However, I was more concerned with the overwhelming pine smell that filled the car. It was crazy! Sneezing ensued.

I had to laugh. We always manage to get ourselves into these types of situations. It just wouldn't be our family tradition is something like this didn't happen.

And, remembering that in my freezing, numb state, I forgot to get a family picture, we took one. The tree was horizontal this time; but, it worked.

Lucy loved the day. She even liked helping Heath clean up needles, during "installation."

Approximately six hours later, we had the finished product.



I've never seen a Christmas tree more proud!

I hope your tree is up and that you had a wonderful time decorating! Our family did. Continue with your Happy Holidays! :)

Gift Opening

There are a few gifts under our tree already. I started shopping on Black Friday and somehow managed to wrap about 30 presents and put them under the tree.  It has been tough though. We have been trying to keep Lucy away from the presents. She doesn't necessarily want to open them; but, she wants to play with the bows or rip the tags off. So far, so good...
Last night, we were watching Rudolph and the Misfit Toys. A commercial came on of a boy opening a Christmas present. Inside was a toy dinosaur. The boy cheered and starting playing.

I heard a gasp.

I looked at Lucy, just in time to see her eyebrows raise, her mouth open, and a look of epiphany come across her face. She turns toward the tree and takes off in a sprint across the room. She picks up a gift from under the tree and looks at me with an anticipating smile. I had to laugh.

Then, unfortunately, I had to tell her no. I tried to explain that they weren't for her and she had to wait for Santa to come. She didn't seem to mind the explanation too much. She was easily distracted when the show came back on.

I think she is starting to understand gifts. :)

Santa Cookie

In October, Lucy and I stopped by The Cookie Company to get some fresh, right out of the oven cookies. :) I decided to pick one out for her that was frosted like a pumpkin. She loved it. Her reaction to it was priceless and when I tried to take a bite, she told me, "No! Mine."

Normally, I wouldn't approve of such behavior. But, this time, it was cute. :)

I know; I know. The cuteness excuse is the one thing that bad parents hang onto as an exchange for bad behavior. You'll just have to trust me that I won't let it get out of hand. Okay? Trust me. Lucy will not be a selfish, devil child. :)

Anyway, on with my story. There I was, in late November, buying a venti iced chi tea with vanilla at Starbucks (highly recommend the drink by the way; it's delicious). I saw a frosted Santa cookie. Lucy would love it! I knew I was going to buy it. I even debated putting it in her stocking.  Nope. I was too excited. So, on her next mommy-Lucy night, we would bust out the cookie.

Oh the simple joys of a Santa cookie...