Anyway, the kids and I had lots of fun decorating our tree. Normally, I am one of those people who has perfect placement of ornaments on the tree (think of Monica from Friends). However, this year, there wasn't any stopping, organizing or doing much more than just sit back and watch in wonder...
Sammy hanging up his decorations.
Jason and Cadie...
...this is just after we pulled Cadie out of the tree! I had used a step-stool to reach the top of the tree when stringing lights and Cadie found it quite handy when hanging ornaments, however, she misjudged a step and fell over INTO the tree! Amazingly, it didn't knock it over! Daddy just had to console her a little and she was right back at hanging ornaments!
Courtney...
...was slow and determined at her attempts to hang ornaments. Cadie would hang 2 or 3 to 1 of Courtney's!
Cadie...
... back on the footstool. She would occasionally look back and double check that she was indeed hanging the ornament in the correct position!
Courtney...
... a little backwards on her ornament hanging, though is getting the hang of it!
JM...
...even as the oldest, he had fun helping the babies, and made sure to hang his ornaments the highest on the tree!
Anna...
...got the important job of stringing the garland!
BEHOLD....
OUR CHRISTMAS TREE!
For those who wonder how I keep the tree in one piece and standing...
YEP... those are 2 gates!
I also took all the glass ornaments and set them aside. I think maybe 3 ended up on the tree, but the majority never made it out of their box for this year!
Actually, my bright idea was to move the one gate (the stretchy evenflo gate) out of the doorway by the front entry. This left this doorway open, but as long as the 2 other gates were closed, there wasn't anyway the girls could get to the Christmas tree or go up the stairs. However, last noc, I quickly learned that the girls have figured out how to break down the stretchy gate!
*sigh*
Since I had a "spare" gate in the garage (bought it for the stairwell, but it was too small), I had my FIL drag it out of the garage, I cleaned it up and that will be my husband's project tonoc. Put up the metal gate, they won't be able to climb it or knock it over! The stretchy gate will go back to its home over the entry way doorway (as seen below)!
I am hopeful that maybe next Christmas... we will be able to have our house opened back up! I think I have a gate in almost every doorway now!
