It’s time to decorate
Baboo and Nana’s tree!
The decorating that
our grands, ages 2, 4, 6, and 10 accomplished the day after Thanksgiving was a
joyful and laughter-filled experience for this grandmother, even as I struggled
to keep my laughter diplomatically contained.
Of course, our sons
and daughters-in-law kept things moving by fitting ornaments with hangers as needed
and parceling out the tree decorations in an orderly procession. I was
surprised at the intense concentration common to each of the grands, regardless
of age. They solemnly considered positioning options, then carefully hung each
ornament. The youngest all headed for the same branches within their reach.
Charlie, top, leads
the girl squad.
Walker, 2, gets the job
done.
Stella
Nate was recovering
from a bug, but gamely decorated with style.
Louisiana grands
Molly Kate and Walker
This year the
decorating exercise also included the transfer of a bit of family history as
offspring questioned their elders about specific ornaments.
Charlie is happy with
the Garfield Santa her dad Walt received as a youngster.
Molly Kate proudly
displays the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer that her dad Jeremy made from his thumb-print
in elementary school a couple of decades ago.
Molly Kate
Luke likes the Coke
keychain that poses as a tree ornament. Maybe our oldest grand will join Nana
in her rabid appreciation of Coke.
Luke
The bug Nate had
picked up Thursday migrated to his sisters. Its effect on Stella warranted a
trip to one of the local urgent care clinics before the family attempted the
return to Georgia Saturday. The clinic staff provided medication and banished
the specter of dehydration.
Both families headed
home. We were thankful for the call that evening letting us know that the
Georgia Skupiens made it home safely and without any further cookie-tossing
incidents.
Our girls, ready for
the extended family Christmas get-together Friday evening: From the left, Sarah
and daughters Charlie and Stella; Molly Kate and her mom Katie.
With the exception of
Thanksgiving night, the Georgia crew bunked with us for the week and divided
their visiting time between the home of Sarah’s parents and our home. Thursday
night she and the boys stayed at her childhood home and the girls and Dad
stayed with us. Then the next day youngest son Jeremy and his crew arrived.
After the busy times
with our family all together, Husband Walter and I spent a quiet Saturday at
home. But I haven’t had a chance to miss our young families. Every time I walk
by the Christmas tree and see all those ornaments bunched together on the lower
branches, I break out in a big grin.
And for a moment those loved ones, big, little and in between, are right here with me.
And for a moment those loved ones, big, little and in between, are right here with me.
Oh what a fun weekend. Grands are the best, and they did an awesome job on your tree. Enjoy.............
ReplyDeleteSweet image you created. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you all had a special time together. I love these traditions. I especially love looking at the ornaments year after year and remembering the family stories that go with them.
ReplyDeleteI loved the story and the pictures are adorable. Did you take them? If so, great job.
ReplyDeletephoto's are the pilot life of memories and your family made many memories decorating that tree. beautiful, all of them
ReplyDeleteI am surprised you are still standing after all this effort. I know that family visits provide much joy, perhaps that is why we don’t feel exhausted until after they’ve gone again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely bunch of grandchildren you have. You must be very proud.
Your tree trimming adventure just made me warm all over.
ReplyDeleteI love how the little ones decorated and you left it just as they did it.
What a reminder of joy and family.
Hope you don't get that ugly bug that seems to be going around.
Take care.
I love this tradition of letting your grands decorate your tree. I'm thinking this experience will be one of their fondest childhood memories! Thanks for sharing your photos of the event :)
ReplyDelete