Decorating(??) Our Christmas Tree

This year our Christmas tree is one created for fun and entertainment for a delightful 21 month old!  I decided about a month ago that I would forego most of my regular decorations and change it up for unbreakable Christmas balls, bells, bows and beads. 

When we’re at other people’s homes Hannah is taught not to touch their trees but ours is fully hers to decorate and re-decorate as she pleases.  The funny thing about that statement is that she spent far more time un-decorating our tree the night we put it up then actually putting decorations on the tree.  I put a few things on and she preferred to take them off.  I was quickly thankful that I’d chosen unbreakable balls as she tested their bounce quality within moments of them being hung on the tree.

The few decorations that did make it on were as expected, placed on one little branch.  I would show you a pic but they were quickly removed when above bounce quality was checked.

I put a few strands of pearls on first but there were many more left in the box.  Hannah quickly found them and they became a wonderful accessory.  You can see why Hannah is such good friends with Ro and Ree as over accessorizing is not in her vocabulary!   What is in her vocabulary right now is ‘No!’  Oh well, it’s just a stage, and a harmless one at that, and it will pass.  For now I hear ‘no’ to every question I ask although more and more often now it’s followed by ‘yes’ after she thinks about the question for a couple of seconds.  I wonder how many ‘no’s’ are captured in the videos just in this post?  I know I loose track on a daily basis.  :o)

Time for the bows and bells

The finishing touch.  Placing the angel on top of the tree.

A couple of my favourite decorations on our tree

Hannah made this cute little snowman at daycare.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Playing the Bobble Game

Speaking of favourite times of the day, I also enjoy our final cuddle time right before Hannah goes to bed for the night.  This is the only bottle of the day I get to give her so I cherish this precious time. 

Somewhere along the way we began to play this little game before her bottle and it’s now a nightly tradition.  I love how she throws herself back when offered the choice of a bottle.  Now Mama?  I would choose chocolate over a bottle every day!

As Hannah drinks her bottle we say our bedtime prayers normally while she holds my fingers in hers.  When she first came home she wouldn’t let anyone, including myself, touch her little hands.  Now, not only does she let me hold hers, she now reaches out to hold mine at various times during the day and night.  There is nothing sweeter than waking up to her precious little hand slipping itself into mine.  Oh yes, nothing better!

One of the Best Parts of my Entire Day!!!

Oh how I love her!!! 

Daycare pickup is one of the very best parts of my days!  Not only does it signal the transition time from work to home but it’s the beginning of our evenings spent together and oh how precious they are!  Some are filled with swimming lessons, shopping or visits with the grandparents while other evenings we hang out at home reading, playing and just enjoying being together.

This is the amazing moment that happens every single day when I pick Hannah up at daycare.  Today my speedy gal took a minor tumble on the way to the door but this quick video captures her to a T!  She’s fun, loving, full of energy and runs everywhere!   I’m so happy that I thought to capture this special time of the day as truly it is amazing and I am forever blessed that it is my arms my sweet baby girl is running to and I am the ‘Mama!’ she is excited to see!!

PS – Ange’s face is fun to watch when Hannah takes her tumble.  I wonder how many times in a day she sees this happen?  I know it’s often here as truly my baby girl has 2 modes – run and sleep!

First Visit with Santa!

Last Saturday Hannah and I went to the mall.  Mama had one goal in mind ~ a visit with Santa!

Last year we made several attempts to see the Jolly Old Man but each time it just didn’t work out.  Sometimes he was off feeding his reindeer or talking toys with his elves and other times when he was there my sweetie was sleeping and there was no way I was waking her up only to plop her on the lap of a man with a fuzzy beard, wearing a red suit.  We’d only been home from China a matter of weeks and this Mama was being cautious.

So this year and knowing her personality better, I wanted to make a genuine effort to meet Santa in person.  She’d seen him on TV and in a parade (post to come later) so slowly she was getting ready for her first up close visit.

When we first arrived at the mall the line was closed as he visited with the last few children in it and then headed of for his lunch.  We did peek at him and even give him a little wave which was a great introduction. 

Needing lunch ourselves we went to the food court (Mama silently hoping for a Hallelujah Chorus Flash Mob to break out :o) and shared some lunch.   After that we headed back and were the second family in line awaiting his return.

As I’d anticipated based on her reactions to the Disney characters, Hannah was a little shy and wanted Mama close but she was still ok with visiting Santa.  She asked Mama to tell him that she wanted a dolly for Christmas as she wasn’t quite brave enough this time to whisper the word herself, nor did she choose to return his high 5.  But, she did give him wave and call out a hearty ‘Bye!’ once we were a safe distance away. 

All in all her first visit with Santa was a great success!  We may even visit him another time or two this Christmas season as we await his visit on Christmas Eve.

Happy 70th Birthday Grandma!!!

We love you very much!  Hope you have a wonderful birthday!!! 

 

Hurry home from Florida….we miss you very much!!

Love, Hannah and Mama  xoxo