Deck the Halls

Two weeks ago it was tree decorating time! Caden was a huge help this year! He loved putting the ornaments on the tree. Granted many of them ended up on the same branch which I needed to rearrange later, but he tried at least! He also took a great interest in the ornaments themselves which was exciting, as most have a story, either as to why we have them (vacation, special event i.e pregnancy, new house, etc.), or who made them. The kids have also begun their own collection of ornaments, so as to have ornaments for their Christmas tree when some day (a LONG Long long time from now!) they move out. I have many ornaments from my childhood which my Grandmother got me, and friends made or gave me. For Caden's first Christmas and ever since we adopted my friend from work's tradition.. Santa leaves an ornament on the kids doorknob on Christmas Eve, which they find on Christmas morning, each year it is something that relates to the past year, or just an interest they have. Last year Caden got a Thomas the train ornament and Cole got a Baby's 1st Christmas Ornament.
Cole helped undecorate the tree. He would put an ornament on, usually with help because he would get frustrated when it would fall off the branch, then he would take it off and point to a new spot where he wanted it hung. This went on for quite sometime, until finally he grew more interested in trying to remove the ornaments from the ornament box and redistribute them onto the floor. Once we were able to put the lid on, he perched himself on top of it (see below!) He also proceeded to tear apart the shoe box that had held the kids ornaments separate from the rest. Luckily shoe boxes are in abundance in our house! Cole decorates the tree.. you can also see the blue bunny to the left, Caden's 1st homemade ornament!! I was very excited about it!

Caden especially liked placing ornaments as high as he could reach!

He was very focused...

Here Cole takes a break from destroying the place on top of the ornament box

Ta-da! Great shaped tree!