The Christmas Tree

Ok, so remember that wonderful annual family tradtion that we had of going out to a Tree Farm to chop down our own Christmas tree....ya well, that's been put on hold...for now. Have YOU ever tried to chop down and bring home a tree with two young kids? In snowsuits? In -10C weather? Well, let me tell you, quite frankly, it sucks. We've tried to brave through it this year, but let's be serious, it's challenging! Especially when the youngest of the 2 kids is already strong-willed and never wants to do what YOU want him to do. You know, like when you say, "Come this way Alex. Let's go Alex"...and he turns and runs the other way. Not cool. Really not cool when it's -10C and windy and snowy and the boy refuses to even sit in his stroller. So, the alternative is to pick him up and carry him (all 26lbs of him), if you ever want to get to your destination.

All that being said, we hopped in our van (but we did it together! As a family!!) and drove around the block to the Loblaws Forest, where we chose our perfect little 7-footer...a balsam fir. Or was it a fraser fir?? (All proceeds went directly to Galen Weston, et al. You know, because he's not rich enough.) Ed tied it to the top of the van. And yes, he may have even swore a few times (quietly of course, so the kids couldn't hear) because his fingers were frozen. And we again revisited the idea of a fake tree at that very moment Ed got back in the van with his frozen fingers and frozen face. Ed recanted the story, just as he does every year (albeit, much more sympathetically this year), about how he NOW understands why his dad always wanted to get an artificial tree. And how he also understands why his father would buy the family the real tree, tie the tree up, bring the tree home, take it in the house, and place the tree in the tree stand. And why his dad would trim it, and string the lights, but that was where Tito's job ended. Ed (I'm sure) repeated his father's past words verbatim this year. I believe Ed's exact words this year were: "That's it, I'm done! Your turn!". (I have a feeling these words will become famous words in our house each year at Christmas time.)

We strung the lights and decorated the tree once Alex was asleep. Before he went to sleep though, he had hours of fun with the musical snowglobe that lights up (totally plastic and totally shatter-proof), not to mention the numerous Santa hats and Christmas decorations.

Papa, happy to be nearing the end of 'his job'. 

Bella, and that devilish grin of hers. (Yes, she was up to no good here.)  She was planning to whip her daddy in the butt with a tightly wrapped ball of tissue paper. (Never trust a child that smiles like this!)

Such concentration! Such hard work to hang those ornaments. Oh, and have I mentioned that Bella and Ed agreed this year to allow me to choose the decorations? - "Boring old white lights" as they call it. I was also informed by the two of them that next year it would be their turn to choose the lights and decorations for the tree. Can't wait.

The final product. Bella stood there with her hand on her hip and stared at the tree for some time. (Geez, I wonder where she gets that from!?)

Bella wanted to take this photo of the tree with my iPhone.
She's small but she's purdy. (I always forget how empty our house feels once we take the tree down.) I could sit and stare at these lights the entire night.

It won't be long before Christmas is upon us. Only 9 more days. Are you ready?