I'm going to miss it when our tree branches are no longer weighted down to the floor with three ornaments per branch and laminated reindeer heads with tiny school pictures.
It's so easy to forget. I know this because already I hold a ceramic blob made in art and I don't remember if it was Noah's or Carter's. The blue Hallmark Baby's First Christmas ornament... I can't recall whose first it was. I look at our tree, uneven and I suppose not exactly how I prefer it to look, but I imagine my mom, and my mother-in-law decorating their trees just so, how they like it. Perfect and without the assistance of small children. And I know all too soon that will be me someday. I already miss this.
I read Ira Sleeps Over to them before bed Again, in my best librarian storytime voice. Everything is special by Christmas-tree-light.
- linking up w/ just write
You have such great perspective on motherhood.
ReplyDeleteJanelle
sigh. yes. and now i'm going to go have the cry i've needed all day.
ReplyDeleteI already miss it too.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Good Lord, this is me. I TRY to not focus on "this is gonna be over before I know it" too much, but IT IS! Life has changed so much since my eldest was a baby and it's not been that long!! I SWEAR!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I can't wait to decorate our tree now. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove this. Simple. True.
ReplyDeleteYes. Sometimes Shane and I talk idly about what it'll be like to go out to dinner and movies whenever we want and I panic and say, But I don't want them to be that big!
ReplyDeleteI would much rather have the little hands placing 3 ornaments per branch than a perfect tree. Enjoy your uneven tree while you can. Sorry you dropped your bowl!
ReplyDeleteSigh...they grow too fast.
ReplyDeleteIt's not fair.
Makes me want to run to my moms and help her make a mish mosh mess of her tree.
I'm sure she'd appreciate it.
I love how kids decorate a tree. I did some rearranging after our kids did their work, but not much. I think I would actually lose interest before I was done if it was left up to me to decorate it all.
ReplyDeleteSo what did you have for dinner after all?
I bought the littles personalized ornaments for the first time ever this year. I am so excited to see them on the tree. It's the start of a wonderful yearly tradition!
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling the same lately. Trying to hold on to every moment. Trying to savor what is but already missing what one day will no longer be.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "librarian's voice"? You are an actress, read the story with "dramatic feeling", which you probably do. Once you know how you can't help reading everything that way.
ReplyDeleteOh I know what you mean...it comes and goes so quickly.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Aarean
colorissue.blogspot.com
p.s. I'm doing a fun Kate Spade giveaway I think you might like :-)
I can't wait to get our lights up....they seriously make everything they touch magical!
ReplyDeleteSteph,
ReplyDeleteThe holidays seem to amplify the craziness and chaos that is family life. Love how you always have such an insightful way to capture the feelings of motherhood. In regard to that Hallmark ornament, there should be a date on the bottom. I worked there in high school and they're all dated. Maybe that'll help narrow down the rightful owner!
Amy
That last line is OH SO true. As is all of what you said.
ReplyDeleteI loved having G help me decorate the tree this year and the thought of the kids not being here to "help" someday just weighs too heavy on my heart right now...
Beautiful post as always!
ReplyDeleteI've solved the 4, 6 and 8 year old vision of a Christmas tree v my own arsty need for visual perfection by having two every year, one in each of the rooms we use most. So the lounge has my real fir tree, colour co-ordinated, balanced, mused over, oft re-arranged tree and the kitchen has the kids 'throw the box at it' tree complete with decorations that are more sticky tape and a tub of office shredded paper poured over it, and then we stand back and all appreciate each others work! :-D
So true, friend. I just want time to slow down a little. I need to savor these little people before they are snuggling little ones of their own.
ReplyDeletePS. I just opened my blog for the first time in a LONG time and saw a sweet comment from you. Thank you for checking on me. I'm back and I've missed *this*.
OK, that's it. I'm just having one kid. I don't want to forget anything!!!! LOL just teasin :)
ReplyDeleteyes, yes and yes. my oldest is only 3, but I already have some of those feelings.
ReplyDeleteI love Xmas tree light. We might not even have a XMAS tree this year b/c all of Xmas stuff is in storage, we're living with MIL and she doesn't go all out on decorating for the holidays, AND we won't actually be here for the holiday. But the lights (and the stockings)- I miss those.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any memories of helping to decorate the tree...except getting to hang the tinsel (and even then my mom would follow behind and evenly distribute it). Ugh! Sorry, I'm not trying to be depressing - I just want to say how I think it is so important to have those family traditions of decorating the tree and actually allowing the kids to hang stuff where they want! Those memories are what Christmas is all about...not a perfectly decorated tree!! :) xoxo Once again, you have so eloquently expressed what I so needed to hear right now!
ReplyDeleteme[dot]jodyandjoy[at]gmail.com
We make "noodles" for lunches about every other day. The girls request it - and I actually don't mind either. Simple and pretty delicious when topped with parmesan cheese. :)
ReplyDeletestephanie@mtropolitanmama.net
big happy/sad mama breath at the end of this. thank you. xo
ReplyDelete