Decorating for Christmas

After Thanksgiving day, we spent some time decorating the house and outside for Christmas. Since Vic was off work for a few days, he started putting lights up outside a couple days before turkey day. But, he doesn't like for us to do any inside decorating until after Thanksgiving day. He always says he doesn't like to eat turkey and dressing while looking at a Christmas tree. I do not blame him. While I love Christmas and love the decorations out so we can soak up every moment we can of the Christmas season, I like to wait until after Thanksgiving too. So, we got most of our inside decorating done by the end of the weekend. Side note - I love that Vic takes such a big part in decorating. He doesn't leave it all to me and likes to take part; he remembers more than I do about certain decorations or what we did in the past; he is just wonderful! But, while we got lots done, it took a couple of days before I got around to putting up our Nativity and putting the decorations on the tree. Those are two things that I prefer to do without the kids awake and under foot. Atticus wants to help do everything and touch everything. So, today, during their naps, I decorated the tree. I left the bottom pretty sparse except for some soft ornaments and jingle bells and things that if they are destroyed, it will be ok.

This afternoon, Atticus got up from his nap and came out of his room just as I had almost all of the decorations up. He was barely awake, but his face lit up and he immediately wanted to help. Thankfully, I had jingle bells left and told him to choose very carefully a branch to put them on. He was so cute looking for a branch as he would say "howt bowt....". I snapped some quick pictures. Then, he slowly began to find some that will be his favorites for the Christmas season, I'm sure. He found a horse - surprise right? an animal? And he found rocking horses and bears and one of Vic's from when he was little - Sesame Street Bert (which is probably an antique so he is not allowed to touch that one). He also found his picture on an ornament and NEEDED to hold that one. He saw a handprint from last year that he made and somehow realized it must be his. It was just really cute. And, for the rest of the day, he hasn't actually bothered the tree much, so we'll see how the month goes. I've even wrapped quite a few presents for under the tree and while he asked who one was for, he was satisfied with the answer "Ana" and hasn't bothered them again. Grace also hasn't paid a lot of attention yet. However, I should repeat - this was one day. We have many days to go....I'll keep you posted.

The other fun part that day was setting up the Nativity. We have a beautiful Willow Tree Nativity given to us as a wedding gift from Bruce & Phyllis, Wes & Megan, and Shelly and Chris. Part of me wanted Atticus to help set it up, although this one is not one he can touch over and over. So, I made a really big deal of how special it was and told the story, as I have told many times already with his Fisher Price Little People one. He loved it - loved setting up the am-mulls and the Baby Jesus. Again - so far, so good on not bothering it again. So, I was glad I ended up including him.

Vic and I just love having the house decorated. My favorite part is having the living room lit up by the Christmas lights each evening. It's just so cozy. And, when it's cold outside, it is even MORE cozy and makes me so happy to watch Christmas movies on the couch with Vic under the covers; or while playing with our lively kiddos who do not like to sit on the couch snuggled up under covers. I truly love this time of year!