"O Christmas Tree!" {part one}

   During last year's Christmas season, my husband and I came to some conclusions.  We decided that in the future a real tree would grace the spot where our fake tree once was.  We took advantage of after Christmas sales of 50% off lights, ornaments, and a tree stand.  All of these items went straight up into our attic last year, and it was not until today that they were brought back out again.

   The children were so excited to see the packages coming down.  Our Christmas music was resurrected from it's year long slumber and everyone was in the festive mood.  The children examined our ornaments with delight and remembrance and we all wondered what our special tree would look like.

Manny found a Christmas themed book

   The day we had been anticipating was finally here.  We had originally planned on bringing home a tree on Monday, but it rained all day long.  We decided that bringing a wet tree into the house would not be a good thing!  Today, however, was beautifully sunny and perfect weather for our "tree experience".

"That one's bigger" Manny says.

   I would have been perfectly happy with the slightly smaller $20 version of the Fraser Fir, but I quickly found that I was outnumbered as father and children alike opted for the $30 tree.  Honestly, I just didn't want it taking up too much needed space in our living room, that was my main concern.  I wanted to enjoy rather than despise it's presence.  I think we found a happy medium though.

"WELCOME HOME TREE!"

   The cashier at Home Depot highly recommended that we wait a couple days before decorating our tree.  She said that the first time she got a real tree she was so excited to decorate and her tree ended up falling over and breaking all of her glass ornaments.  That testimony coupled with the similar experience of a friend,  highly motivated us to wait until Saturday to decorate.  Of course the kids were a little bummed about that, but Saturday will be a better time for it anyway.  I'll be baking some cookies and seeing what my kids think of eggnog.  For now, our tree is bare.  But it stands tall and stately in our living room and it smells wonderful!  I'm really likin' this real tree experience! : )