Babies look so sweet and innocent with their chubby cheeks, perfect skin, adorable little fingers and toes. We are so love struck. We bring them home and let them take over what used to be the office or guest room.
Then they get bigger and expand their presence to the living room, and toys cover the floor. Watch out for Lego mines and Matchbox cars: they are out to get ya!
Meanwhile, these little ones guard the bathroom like a hawk. And they don’t allow you time to blow-dry your hair or even take a shower every day because of all their demands… “I need a snack, get me more milk, read me a book, play with me mommy!” and on and on!
The most recent take-over at my house was the Christmas tree. Here’s the deal, I LOVE LOVE LOVE silver ornaments.
For years, I have only allowed silver, sparkly, glittery ornaments to be hung on the tree. I said, “Sorry Honey, that box of ornaments that your step-mom sent home from your childhood, is going to have to find a different tree.”
So this year, my family put up the tree on Thanksgiving night while my in-laws were visiting. We had Christmas carols playing. My mother-in-law and I were enjoying glasses of wine. My 3-year-old was bouncing off the walls with excitement to help with the ornaments.
Then the baby started crying. My camera started malfunctioning. I got totally distracted from the decorating.
And they weaseled their way in.
First, my 3-year-old put the pug ornaments on. They are NOT SILVER. But, we have a pug and he really wanted the “Yoda” ornaments on the tree. (Our dog’s name is Yoda BTW!)
Ok, ok, I’ll let that one pass.
Then he found the multicolor ornaments. These were gifts from people who don’t know how neurotic I am about my silver tree. They stay in the box.
Well, the baby started crying again, and my 3-year-old was left with people who like multicolor decorations.
MY tree was hijacked right before my eyes.
And Hubby began decorating too! From his childhood box!
I CAN NOT BELIEVE Shaq is dunking a basketball on MY Christmas tree!!!!!
And Santa is riding a football. A pig is golfing. And a RED Converse shoe via 1990 is hanging from MY Christmas tree.
Now there is a sneaky little Elf hiding around our house. I’m thinking maybe he could “hide” Shaq and the others. Two can play at this game!
I can’t believe THIS has happened to my tree. But, I am going to be a big girl and share my tree. Our tree. It will now be a family tree to display memories of our lives from year to year.
And family memories are so much more important to me than some silly monochromatic Christmas tree.
(Note to self: Watch for sales. 2 trees next year!)
Did anyone else have their tree hijacked? Or are you crazy about certain color decorations? Please share!
I don’t necessarily need monochromatic trees…but I do prefer to have a themed (or at least color coordinating) tree and I like white lights best. It has been 6 years since I lost my tree… first to colored lights, and now to the …adorable? ornaments my children bring home from every activity they attend.
Maybe 2 trees IS the answer!
Thanks Marsha for sharing your lost Christmas tree story!!
I get it! With little ones we have to make visual compromises…always. I have a basket on the floor behind the chair so the little one can put his coat “away” and another basket on the counter with his shoes so one shoe doesn’t end up int he trash or behind the couch or worse. My eye needs “happy places to rest”, a glimpse of my uncluttered adult home to give me hope that someday I won’t have to make decorating compromises based on my kids’ needs. And my tree…though lovely, is a daily target for balls, Nerf-gun bullets, swinging superheroes, and the occasional meatball flung off the spoon. There is not a single cherished breakable ornament on it…sigh. But I am raising high-energy boys, and for now, that is just the way it needs to be, and I’ve made my peace with it.
Tamara- It’s nice to hear you understand! Thanks for sharing!