I do enjoy Christmas. I’m not fanatical about it but i’m no Grinch either. As the childer will be with their Dad the next two weekends, today was the day to erect the tree. I wanted them to be a part of it and not just… sit there and watch me do it type of participation but I was fully prepared to allow them to adorn the tree however they saw fit.
This is a special Christmas for me and my family as it is our first one in our new home. Since December ’13 until August of this year myself and my brood were lucky enough to live with my mother. In August I got the amazing news that I had been housed with a housing agency. So this year will be memorable to wake up to Santa in my own gaff!
Enough of the sentiment and back to the fun we were all going to have putting up the tree. My mother arrived with the stuff. As I pulled out the tree I remembered the day it was bought. I said to her…. guess how much this tree cost me?……. €18! As I removed it from it’s cardboard jail it was all too apparent why it only cost €18. I’ve come across more lush cactus than this tree.
Undeterred we soldiered on. I fleshed the branches out as best I could and then looked to where it was going to stand. The whole sitting room had to be changed around to fit in the tree. So what started out as tree time had turned into 60 minute makeover. I was already exhausted. We found it’s home and I put on the lights. Ready to allow the children to put on the baubles.
The enthusiasm was heart warming. I handed them some baubles and let them at it. We all sang Christmas carols as we put them on…….. no we bloody didn’t, it’s not some true movie you are watching here with your one out of little house on the prairy… this is real life!!!! The Sun and Moon put on literally two decorations before they got fed up.
But my wee little Star…. she showed so much determination. Back and forth into the container and tried with all her might to put them on. She wasn’t very successful but she was really enjoying it. When the lights went on… all four of them…. she ooohed and aaaaahed. Bless her little cotton socks.
The finished result was decidedly underwhelming but I don’t care. I have my own home and I have plenty of time to build up my collection of festive ornaments. It’s not the decorations that makes the season special. It’s family and friends, my own home and my three (sometimes) lovely children gathered at my feet…. killing each other!!!
Thanks For Reading
Be Well
Ellen
Blush, Belly and Babies 