Christmas Tree

The first weekend in December was an extremely exciting one for our boys, especially Brandon who understood what was going on, really for the first time.

Friday evening we set up the Christmas tree.  Brandon was so eager to help Daddy put it up, even though the pieces weighed twice as much as he does. 

Micah was fascinated with the lights!

Saturday morning we decorated it.  Yes, I am one of those moms who has to have ornaments more evenly spaced than not, so it was a teaching moment too.  Brandon started catching on at the end.  There were a few ornament casualties this year, but that's to be expected with two eager boys, excited about Christmas and full of energy.

In the afternoon, after everything was put away, we pulled out a train I had gotten at a garage sale this summer, to put around the bottom of the Christmas tree.  Unfortunately, the engine was fried.  But Bryan has been wanting a train around the Christmas tree for years and has never really put the effort in to making a sturdy base for his model trains.  So this year the boys and I really encouraged him to figure it out.  It was fun watching the three eager faces as it came together and really worked!

Saturday evening was the Christmas parade.  We continued our tradition of going over to Auntie Sally and Uncle Gary's house.  The boys were very worried about missing any of the parade so we were the first ones out of the nice warm house and on to the curb.  Soon after it started raining and the adults all went up to the porch of the neighbor's house to watch.  But Brandon and Micah were adamant about staying on the curb, "Because we might miss the candy being thrown, Mom."  Priorities sometimes, I tell ya!  Thankfully, I had brought along our very large umbrella and blanket and it turned out to be such a fun experience with the boys.

And they slept very well that night!!

Sabbath and Advent blessings to you all.