Kindnessgirl

It was the dreamiest tree trimming last year. We picked out the tree all together, each person offering input, a collective decision. We came home and put the lights on together, had a fire, listened to music…there might have even been a family hugging session. Whenever you have an over-the-top holiday memory, you should bank it and worship it, and here’s the key- do not expect it to repeat itself… I mean each year will have something that is magical but it’s never the same thing. And in the words of my mother superior preschool teacher and friend Anne, “Low expectations mean high serenity!” *sigh* it’s so true…so here is the tree trimming extravaganza of 2010, in pictures.

We went to two stores, one didn’t have tree stands and twine so off we were to another five minutes before closing. No one could agree on a tree so we let Jorge pick as he was in the grumpiest mood that night. We got home too late to trim so that left us to decorate the next day but Jorge was working late and the kids could barely stand it. I decided to just start, getting the tree in the stand and putting on lights, it was positively comical.

I couldn’t keep Lyra off the table. Here she is looking triumphant. Seconds later she dumped an entire bag of animal crackers on the table which she pushed to the edge so the dog could reach.

Lucy insisted we put the star on, immediately, while Josiah and I tried to just get the tree in the stand and Jack turned 235 pins into the trunk to keep it standing.

She finally gave up and started playing with the greens and boxes.

Lyra moved on to sharing the rest of the milkshake with the dog.

Then she discovered the wonder of lights, as I discovered that every strand had only half the lights work.

and then somehow Christmas works her magic and all is well…

Hope your holiday is merry and bright, even if it isn’t exactly perfect.