Trimming the Tree

Norah and Justin looking at the ornaments that we would be putting on the tree.

Justin really liked the penguin.

Norah was thrilled with all the Barbie and Princess ornaments.

Norah and Daddy putting ornaments on the tree together.

Norah needing a little extra help to get that one on (she didn't seem to mind though)!

Justin and Daddy adding more ornaments to the tree.

Justin trying to get one more on the tree.

Norah and Justin helping Daddy by handing him ornaments and approving his chosen branch.

Justin loving the star at the top of the tree.

Norah thinks it's pretty too and loves the view from Daddy's shoulders.

Norah hiding behind the tree.

Our 2009 Christmas Tree. With lights, a star, and ornaments on the upper half.

Norah was very careful around the Christmas tree last year, and Justin was too little to get into much trouble. We knew that would not be the case this year. The kids are delighted by the presence of the tree and have claimed that corner of the room as their playground despite our earnest pleas to the contrary. Attempts to stop this behavior through requests and timeout have failed so badly that we've silently acknowledged that we are not going to win this battle this year.

They love the lights and are frantic when they are turned off. Norah and Justin make a mad dash to the tree if they enter the room and see the lights off. One child circles the tree to the left, the other to the right, and the scrum for the light switch is underway. The victor will aggressively defend the prized switch and rapidly click it on and off as their sibling's fingers pry at their grip. More often than not this little drama is accompanied by giggles, shrieks, cries, and growls. You can hear their clothing brush against the tree limbs and the tinkling of the ornaments above as the whole tree sways side to side, then lurches as one of our little angels decides to break off the engagement, crashing loudly through the vertical blinds to make a run for a favorite toy and find more trouble.

The star now lists 30 degrees from plum, the carefully placed light strands drag the ground, and the blinds for the sliding glass door behind are angled in every conceivable direction, but so far the tree stands it's ground, humbly clinging to it's precarious uprightness. Christmas is coming. Thanks be to God.