New Traditions

Preface to this post: This is the earliest I have ever put up a tree and started the Christmas activities. Chip is leaving Thanksgiving afternoon to hunt ducks in Mississippi. So, I decided to be a loving wife and do everything a weekend early so he wouldn't miss any traditions and Karlee's reactions. I sure hope this tree is still alive by Christmas Day!

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Chip, Karlee, and I beat the rain on Saturday and picked out our Christmas tree. (We decided to go a little smaller rather than our usual Big Bertha in case Karlee wouldn't leave it alone and knocked it over!) We brought it home and pulled out the lights to make sure they all still worked. After much contemplation about glass ornaments and an almost two year old, I headed to purchase shatterproof ornaments to replace our glass ones. Later in the day, we started to string the lights, and it came to an abrupt stop. Karlee was picking up the entire bundle of lights and trying to put them on the tree herself. We hid the lights in our bedroom and continued the tree decorating after she was tucked in bed for the night!!

Karlee woke Sunday morning to find a tree full of lights and shiny balls. When we cut the lights on, her face was as bright as the tree. What joy it was to see a beautiful Christmas tree through a child's eyes! We then sat down by the tree and read our first Christmas book of the season.





Later in the day after Karlee had been really good with not bothering the tree, we brought out her 2009 ornament. She helped me hang it and even pointed to where she wanted it to go! She kept saying "Karlee's" and pointing to it.





We had dinner with the Spratlin's Sunday night and came home to find a visitor and more surprises for Karlee. Santa Claus had sent his elf to bring Karlee pretty ornaments for her tree.



Chip read the book that was left by the tree and we were told the elf's name was Mr. Sprinkles. Karlee looked all through the boxes and picked out which ornaments she wanted to hang. We all had so much fun putting the finishing touches on the tree.







I was so glad that we shared these moments as a family and started new traditions with Karlee that she can pass along to her children one day. Mr. Sprinkles has brought lots of laughter so far and I can't wait to see what all he does in the next few weeks! Karlee was so excited to look for him this morning we she woke and has constantly gone to make sure he is still "sleeping" in the same place! I just love to hear her say Sprinkles too!!!!!