Yesterday we put up our Christmas tree!! We always wait about a week before to do this, mainly because we use a real tree (much under the protest of my husband, but sorry--majority rules), and I just like to wait--I love the feeling a Christmas tree brings, and I don't want to lose it by putting it up too soon.
And through the years, I've accumulated MANY ornaments with sentimental value to them, but there's no way that they'll all fit on one tree, so I have to just pick my favorites, and what else would that be, but the ones that my kids made for me when they were children in school. And out of this group, I have to choose which ones I want to hang. So let me formally introduce you to my kids from oldest to youngest.
This is Scott--
I'm not sure, but I think he was in 4th grade here. As you can see, he made this very clever wreath made out of yarn. : ) He's now 34.
And then there's Nick--
I'm pretty sure this is a reindeer face (see the red nose?) --so he's the reindeer. It's 1988 so this would put him in 4th grade. I've talked about Nick before on my blog--he's now 32.
And now, here's Lisa (the sassy one of the family)--
This cute little heart is from 1987-- would put her in first grade. And she's now 29.
And next is Jen--
On this Christmas tree!! And she is in Kindergarten here. She's now 27.
And finally, my favorite ornament on the whole tree--John's
So let me explain a little bit about this one. As you can see, this Kindergarten photo session was not a pleasant experience for him. (in the actual photo, his nose is red from the tears). But I didn't have the heart to make him go for a retake, because the first time was so traumatic for him. And to this day, we have no idea why, including John. So when Christmas time came around, the teacher got out all of the students' class photos so they could make their ornaments for their parents. And when he gave this to me on Christmas morning, he was so proud and happy of his present--his first one that he made all by himself and wrapped it too. And I was very proud and happy to hang it on the tree (and still am)! And this baby of the family is now 23!
So here they all are last year on Christmas Eve in front of their red felt stockings with their names in glitter that they each received the year they were born--
They would be so mad if I didn't hang these stockings every year. It's their favorite part of Christmas--yes Santa still fills them every Christmas.
I still can't believe that they let me take this Brady Bunch pic!!
So from my family to yours--Merry Christmas!!
