We’re in the full swing of Christmas preparation around here, and it’s really fun with a two-year-old. The big activity so far was getting our Christmas tree and a few decorations. In general we keep our decorating fairly minimal, just a simple wreath and a few boughs outside and a few things inside, but I plan on adding a few items each year until we’re fully Christmas-ed out. We’ve also had a few visits with Santa and some fun local activities, but more about that later.
First order of business was a visit to a local Christmas tree farm. It was particularly cold that day (even Alaska-tough Grandma T thought so) but the trees looked pretty with the frost on them. This particular farm, the same one we bought our pumpkins at, has nice people (they cut our tree down for us – which J appreciated), and some animals for Clare to wave at.
The trees we chose were particularly large, so we all got a big laugh out of watching J and my dad try to fit them into the back of the truck. We ultimately paid a little extra to have the trees wrapped up so that they fit.
The finished tree! The best part was when Clare woke up from her nap and found the tree set up with lights on she threw her fists into the air and shouted “It’s Christmas!” We then decorated the tree together – and by that I mean Clare pranced around, playing with ornaments and chanting “decorate the tree! decorate the tree!” while I put the other ornaments on.
Stockings Hung by the Chimney with Care!
It’s fun to watch Clare grasp some of Christmas. She’s gone to visit Santa a few times, but hasn’t gone closer than three feet to him. She’s perfectly happy to talk about him, point him out, and give a few “Ho Ho Ho’s” in his direction but when we get close to actually talking to him she clams up and hangs onto Mom or Dad. She wouldn’t even take a candy cane from one Santa we visited, but once J gave it to her after the visit she really enjoyed it. I’ve tried to explain to her that Santa Claus will come to our house, but it will be at night when we’re sleeping, and she looks at me like I’m nuts. Besides that, when we talk about waiting until Christmas to open presents she’s equally confused. I think she assumes that Christmas is the tree and not a day in the future.
Our future plans include some light sight-seeing (which Clare calls “sparklies”), some cookie baking and decorating, and the family excitement once everyone arrives this week. I can’t wait to introduce it all to her and experience that child’s Christmas magic all over again.
