O Christmas Tree

There were Decembers in years past that I simply adored putting up my Christmas tree. I took great pride in precisely hanging each ornament, spacing them perfectly apart, and placing the garland around the tree in exact intervals. (Yeah, who's OCD now?) I loved the fact that I had so many bulbs, angles, snow flakes, etc. to hang on the branches. It was full of color and full of personality.

I bet you know where I'm going with this.

Since I've had children, it now drives me crazy to have my tree up each year. Constantly telling a small child not to touch the ever enticing Christmas tree is quite tiresome. I usually begin to feel guilty for getting on to them about it, because really, it's just so tempting for them and I'm sure they just think it's small toys that they're looking at.

I don't remember Caleb being too difficult. I also don't remember Sarah having to be told more than a few times to step away.

Gabriel, on the other hand, decided the Christmas tree was most certainly his own.














So for the first time, I have had to remove ornaments from the bottom half of the tree because it's just easier than having to chase a 1-year-old around who found a bright, shiny bulb to play with.

There have been several people who have told me to be sure and take a picture because it will make for a fun memory. I'm sure there will be a few because we'll take pictures the morning we unwrap gifts, but I am not so fond of the tree this year, so I'm not sure if I'll step back and take a full-length picture this year like I usually do.

Maybe next year will be better. But I'm not holding my breath.