Trimming the Tree

We donned some festive shirts before we set to work. I got Roo's on after Christmas clearance last year it says "Santa's Little Helper." It looks like she has an elf body when she wears it. Cute, right. While the adorable seasonable shirts for a 4yr old girl are bountiful I didn't find anything for the big kid so he put on his "Shrek the Halls." Roo's shirt wasn't the only thing I bought and put away either. I got the kids each a Hallmark ornament too. Isaac's is E.T. and he clips on a light and his heart glows red. Riley's is Tinkerbell peeking around a leaf. It was so nice to just have those ready to go.

Mike came into our relationship with a tradition passed down from his father's bachelor days. Ordering Dominos Pizza on tree decorating night. This is non-negotiable for Mike. This is also the one night a year Isaac is allowed to have Coke. In pervious years we got Riley a milkshake so she didn't feel left out, but this year my big girl had Sprite. I had no idea how emotional I'd be about my baby joining in the yearly soda tradition, but I cried a little. She felt like a rock star though. After a floor picnic with a view of the tree it was time to decorate.

Pretty amazing, isn't it? They did a great job being gentle with the ornaments and not moving them once they were in place. I think the tree looks stunning. Now if the kids in front of it would slow this growing up nonsense down. Looking at pictures of tree decorating from the last couple years I teared up. Everything changes so quickly it's nice to have these yearly traditions to come back to. As grateful as I am for the constancy they are an unavoidable benchmark for change. Happy decking your halls everybody!