Decorating the Tree

We finally got around to putting up the tree the other night. I know putting up the tree is a time-honored tradition that creates fun lasting memories for most families. But for me, it's not my favorite thing. I decided I was going to try to make the evening as pleasant as possible by first letting the kids decorate sugar cookies-always fun, but always such a mess! This actually was a distraction for the kids while Josh was assembling the tree-piece by piece. We've learned in years past that the kids aren't that helpful in that department. So once my kitchen was covered in frosting and sprinkles and the tree was assembled it was time for the kids to start decorating the tree. I usually have Christmas music playing to set the mood, but couldn't find ANY of my Christmas CDs. So I resorted to turning on Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer which was playing on T.V. Close enough...right? But there seemed to be more commericals than movie and all the Victoria Secret commericals didn't seem to add the special spirit I was looking for. Okay, no T.V. So as the kids pulled ornanments out of the box, it was fun to see their reactions to ormaments they had made in years past. That part is always fun. But then the youngest kids don't have as many or any that they have made. So they are always a little sad (a.k.a. Mason). Then there's Riley who is eating the very old candy canes and pulling off all the ornaments off of the tree. And the decorating of the tree night wouldn't be complete without the "I want to hang that one up!" or "I haven't got to hang up hardly any!" Needless to say, the decorating of the Christmas tree isn't my favorite thing to do. But the kids love it and look forward to it every year so we must be doing something right.

Well, then the night took another turn. As the kids were pulling out ornaments one of the ornaments had broke. "I can fix that, let me go get my glue gun," I said trying to have an upbeat positive attitude toward the evening. Well, I looked and looked and my glue gun was no where to be found. I ended up unloading 2 of my closets looking for it. There was stuff sprawled out everywhere! So now in addition to my kitchen covered in sprinkles, Christmas decorations all over, now I had my closet mess to deal with. I was too tired to deal with the the closet mess that night. But by morning, I was feeling unusually energized about organizing my closets. Now this is not something I EVER get energized to do. I hate it! But I drove myself down to Walmart and bought tons of storage containers. But by the time I got home...I was too tired to do it. Hey, I am pregnant-cut me some slack! So the next morning, today, I was totally ready to get the closet mess under control. And I did! They look so great! Josh can hardly believe it, this is usually his department. It feels so good to have it all done. Oh, and I never did find that darn glue gun! Now, if I could just get unpacked from our California trip...