In the process of having little people in my home, I have learned that the expensive, breakable and in any way valuable pieces need to be kept safely packed away in the Christmas boxes. So my festive decor has declined in the recent years as the number of rambunctious toddlers has increased.
#1 Real tree has been reduced to a fake, light weight tree, bought at a discounted price during after-Christmas sales.
#2 Glass candelabras, vases, and anything else that can't be thrown, knocked down, pushed or pulled without breaking is no longer displayed.
#3 None of the presents under our tree have bows, at all. I used to make large, fancy bows, then I bought the bag-o-bows with stickies.... now what's the point. They all become something to throw, rip off or yes even chew on.
#4 I've collected Snowflake Teddy Bears since my grandmother gave me my first one in 1991. I stopped my collection last year on their 25th anniversary. They're not breakable, but I imagined all 22 of those fluffy bears scattered across my house. This year the storage bags stayed closed and the bears never saw daylight.
Although I've taken the necessary steps to avoid some absolute disasters, in the past 10 days of having the Christmas decor up in our home there have still been some close-calls and some ruins.
Day 2: After we (the boys mainly) put the ornaments on the tree, CL almost immediately found the Jack-in-the-box ornament from Will's 2nd Christmas and became instantly entertained by it's surprise effect. Only 24 hours from the lighting of our tree, and countless times of Daddo and me telling her 'no touch', she finally pulled on the little reindeer head popping out of the box a little too hard. I was in the kitchen and heard Will's 'ohhhhhhhhh!' and saw the tree in mid tilt slowly letting gravity take control with little CL right in its path. The light, plastic pine brushed her shoulder, bounced off without even causing her to lose her balance and landed on the floor..... ornaments flying out to all sides. Somehow, by the grace of God, who knows I could probably snap at any moment, only one ornament was broken; Rhett's from last year. Of course.
Day 4: I heard crunching coming from the tree area. For some reason I didn't even run in there. I just casually glanced in that direction from the dining room where I was standing and saw CL wadding up some gift bag tissue and loving the crinkling sound it made. Then she threw it. I didn't even check to see where it came from until later that evening. It was from a gift bag holding a present for Will.
And 6 days later the present is still easily visible. I think my kids, or a higher power controlling them, knows not to go sneaking or looking under that tree.... or they're as forgetful as their momma. Either way, I'm so glad the gift is still in the bag and CL hasn't gone back to dig it out and start 'throwing' it around. :)
Day 5: My mom, who is THE Avon lady, graciously gives me most of her holiday inventory after she buys it for displays, shows etc. On Day 4 she gave me this box of Nutcracker themed plates, bowls, a dipper and a cute little musical, light up snowy village. I sat it on the kitchen bar that faces the den area and showed the kids. Rhett and CL oohed and ahhhed over it, but I knew to keep it up high away from little hands. Day 5, Cole, who's stool sits closest at the bar to where I had placed the Avon village, pulls it over for a closer look. The tiny man figurine that was ATTACHED to the display didn't stand a chance up to the kid who's favorite activity is playing with action figures.... SNAP. The tiny man is now DETACHED. After a quick text message to Mom about the incident and how nothing breakable stands a chance in my house, I sat the display up on a higher shelf.
Poor little ice skater man.
Day 7: We're all home in the evening centered around the kitchen/den area. RRRRRRRIP! CL runs into the kitchen with her guilty stance of hands behind her back and smile on her face. Again, Daddo and I are both in no rush to check out the damage. But he's the first to give in a few minutes later and decides to walk over and take a look. Miraculously it took seven days before we had our first torn paper-wrapped present. Daddo tossed the torn papered box onto the dining room table where it still sits today. I'll eventually re-wrap it, or add some scotch tape to hold the pieces together. It's one of Nonnie's presents. She'll think it's cute.
Day 9: As with every single day in our home, a wrestling match was underway in the den, next to the tree, while I was in the kitchen. They've actually maneuvered quite well around the large space in the floor where they can't throw, push or slam each other. Will's version of the story is that they were done wrestling and he tripped while walking over to his chair and fell on top of the two gift bags. Cole didn't throw him down. The only certain fact from what happened is that his hiney squooshed two of our nieces' gifts...... but they're ok. I know what's inside :)
How can I get mad? It's supposed to be a fun, magical time of the year. Sure, it's frustrating that things get broken, smashed, damaged and I can't show off my sparkly bows and vases. But how can I stay mad?
How can I stay upset when there are also adorable things happening in my house? Like the other night while I was busy wiping down the kitchen after dinner and I saw my daughter following along behind me....
While all the guys were in their normal positions in the den watching tv and relaxing and I'm usually all by myself in the kitchen, she was there cleaning with me. Girl grabbed two rags out of the rag drawer (yes she knew where 'the rag drawer' was) and went to town wiping the floor, counters, cabinet doors and a little shelf just her height. I love her so much; all of her rolls, and whines and busy, busy hands on everything. I love Cole's kisses, Rhett's growing ability to debate everything and Will's tough-guy attitude. How can I stay mad over a few broken ornaments and decorations?
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