This year between my physical and mental health I could not be the driving force behind getting the tree, putting up the lights, decorating it, etc.  It is probably the latest I have ever done it, but the Christmas tree is up, done!  And my shaggy dog of a child has a haircut!

Instead of coming for Christmas this year, my mother came early because of the overlap of Christmas and Hanukkah. (Long story for another post) It worked out because I really needed help getting things together and keeping things together.  On Saturday by the time we got Tyler’s haircut (always stressful for him and then for me), me having to lift him onto the barber chair, struggling with the cold and winter clothes with the car seat, and then went to lunch, my body aches and exhaustion were telling me I was done for the day.  I am really a one event a day person, if that.

I was very upset, but Grant told me he and Tyler would get the tree, that I shouldn’t worry.  It was a father and son outing and the two were like superheroes, back in a flash with the tree. Tyler had picked it, Grant said.  It was very different from the trees that we usually have, tall and not as full, but beautiful.  It turned out to be the perfect tree because it was easy for me to put up the lights, since it didn’t require as many as a fuller tree would.

Tyler decorates the Christmas tree. Yeah, he's got no pants on. That's how the men in my home roll.

Mom decorating the tree, singing Christmas carols. It doesn't get much cheesier, does it?

I was too exhausted to decorate the tree this year, but it didn’t matter, the tree was up, for my son.

My contribution, putting up the angel. Tyler was too scared to be lifted up to do it!

The finished product.

For a close-up of some of my favorite ornaments, check out this post.

So, one big Christmas stress is over and done with!  The next one?  Hoping Tyler’s presents that we have ordered online show up in time!  Will Tyler need an I.O.U. from Santa??