My Grandma The Great has always told me how important and wonderful it is to see things through the eyes of our children. To really, really take the time...getting on their level...asking what *they* want to do...what is important to *them*. She has always told me that when you do take the time to focus and do this properly that you will never forget it. It's one thing to try to balance this with your busy day to day life...but, it's something completely different to make this your priority. To make this the purpose of your day...your week...your month...your entire Christmas. That is exactly what I've set out to do. BabyGirl has not taken a substantial break from school in over 2 years. She has worked so hard on her music, school work and other extra activities she's tried balancing this last semester. She has completed her entire 4th grade Science, Oklahoma History, Grammar, Handwriting and Spelling. What an accomplishment!! Therefore, we are taking a well deserved break! Her last day of school was the day before Thanksgiving, and we won't be resuming until the 2nd week of January. (except for music, of course) My goal during this break is to truly spend this holiday season following my Grandma The Great's advice. We're making a list of all our favorite activities, outings, crafts, goodies to cook, etc. and checking them off one by one. We are so excited!!!
We started today off with some wonderful home made hot cocoa! It put us in the mood to start on our Christmas decorations!!! First, we put up the Christmas trees. BabyGirl helped me sort all the branches and shape them. Meanwhile, Little Man set to work on the tree stand. :)
The kids simply couldn't wait to get started on hanging their ornaments...so much, in fact, that Little Man hung his Simba ornament on my antler!
When the lights and beads were finally on the trees, they happily went to work!! Little Man wanted no help at all!! He decorated his tree all by himself. (the proof is in the giant poinsettia thing made by Mimi when his Daddy was little hanging on the side!) Ha!! He was so proud!!
BabyGirl is so excited every year to go through her ornaments! She remembers where every single one came from, and how she felt when she received it. She is so sweet! She is going to need a bigger tree next year!!!
Now, on to decorating the family tree in the living room!! I let them hang the ornaments wherever they wished. It was funny to watch Little Man putting 2-3 ornaments on one tip! LOL, then he'd have to start over when they fell from the weight! BabyGirl took over the middle, Little Man the bottom, and I decorated the top. It was so much fun!
Yes, that is already a present under the tree! BabyGirl is so thoughtful and kind. She has already made 2 present for some of her best friends. She is currently recording a "The Night Before Christmas" book for her little brother. It is the cutest thing! She keeps re-recording some of the pages because they aren't "just right".
Here is a pic of the kids next to their trees. Little Man had gotten about ready for his nap and was pretending to be a puppy in front of his tree. :)
Here are some of our other favorite things....our stockings...
Our Santa head made by Grandma The Great!!! (he's made from a recycled bottle)
So, that's been our Day-After-Thanksgiving decorating traditions this year! The table is set with our Christmas place mats, the Christmas mugs are washed and hung on their tree made by Pappap The Great, the smoker is going and about ready to heat up our fabulous spiral ham, pumpkin pie & stuffing are cooking, Daddy is working on our outdoor lights, and we are deciding what Christmas movie to watch tonight as we snuggle beneath the tree. A beautiful start to our beautiful holiday. Here's hoping we can all live this season through the eyes of our children and grandchildren. X O
