Putting Up the Christmas Tree

Today we put up the Christmas tree. Nick helped.

We are lucky in that our tree is prelit, and does not have to be taken apart each year. It simply sits in the basement until after Thanksgiving, when Greg carries it upstairs and plugs it in. Sometimes we have to clear off the kitty dustballs, but other than that, this tree is good to go. Nick decided to use his broom to help clear off the cat hair. At least, I think that's what he was doing. I believe he said something along the lines of, "I'll help clean it." right as he picked up his broom and started whacking.

I didn't shopping on Black Friday this year--at least not to the stores. I did some online shopping, which was less exciting but also less stressful. When there is free shipping and online coupon codes, why bother to go out? We got into the Christmas spirit at home, and Nick even helped put on some ornaments. Of course, he also helped take some ornaments off. . .

For some odd reason, the focus is off on these pictures. I think it's the lights from the Christmas tree. But you can see that Nick helped me decorate this year. I put the breakable ornaments way up high, and Greg brought up the baby cage so that Nick can't actually crawl under the tree and knock it over. (Believe me, he would try!)



Trees, Trees, and More Trees! ! !

I'm not usually one to overuse exclamation points, but Nick has been very excited about all of the Christmas Trees he's seen lately. On New Year's Day, we decided to indulge his excitement by taking him to the Museum of Science and Industry in downtown Chicago. Every winter, they have a display of Christmas trees decorated for countries around the world. Since his first real word was "tree," we figured he would enjoy pointing at all of them. He did. We went with Nick's Great-Grandma Dorothy and Grandma Toni so that they could see the trees, too. Here you can see Nick with his Great-Grandma, showing her our tree and telling her, "Tree!"

Nick was fascinated by all of the lights and ornaments. It really was quite lovely. He just kept pointing and announcing, "Tree!" all day long. We did a lot at the museum, but I think today's post will be all about the trees. Nick kept trying to tear the ornaments off, but thank goodness most of them were wired on. I don't believe he was the only baby who tried to abscond with the ornaments.

Nick has been pointing like crazy lately. Sometimes we're not sure what he's pointing at, but on this day we were pretty sure it was the tree.

Nick also did a lot of walking around the museum. He's getting more surefooted as he practices. We all kind of blocked him in and let him crawl and walk around a little bit, because he wasn't going to stand for staying in the stroller. He wanted OUT. And he was so happy when he got to walk with daddy.

 My favorite part was the pretty blue lights in the center area of the museum. Everything was bathed in a gorgeous blue light, and shapes danced on the ceiling as Christmas music played. I know it's after Christmas, but it was a nice way to close the season.

Today Greg took the tree down while Nick was having his afternoon nap. He said that Nick started crying and saying, "Tree?" when he came downstairs and saw that it was gone. He keeps pointing to the area where the tree was and asking, "Tree?" Poor guy. He'll have to wait until next year.

Christmas #3--Christmas Day with Grandma Toni and Aunt Sarah

On the third day of Christmas. . . Grandma Toni let us sleep late, and Greg slept until 9 a.m., which he hasn't done in years. I slept even later. That was the best present. Nick was clapping for the presents. All of the presents. :) Note to self: Next year, take a shower and get out of your pajamas before the whole picture taking/present opening thing. Oh, and put on some makeup.

Yay! A rotary-dial phone! Very retro. Nick actually really likes it; he was pulling it all around the house yesterday. I was trying to remember if even I had seen rotary dial phones before.

He kept pulling ornaments off of the tree. That and eating wrapping paper. We spent the whole day at Grandma Toni's, then set off for home, where more presents (from Santa, and mommy, and daddy) were waiting. I'm not sure why I look so surprised here--I'm the one who bought the book. I look more surprised than Nick! :)

Greg looks surprised, too, but I think he was surprised that Nick was opening the present himself. After 40 plus presents, he finally got the hang of it.