Let It Glow
If "a Christmas tree problem" is defined as "doesn't know how many there are," then FINE. I do indeed have a problem. I don't remember for certain how many Christmas trees I have to set up this year, but I do know that dedicating 30 minutes per day to getting them set up is going well. Alexis and I set up Tree #6 tonight.
Tree #6 happened to be Alexis' tree. She has always had her very own Christmas tree in her room, filled with ornaments that are most definitely hers. Over the years, her ornament collection has slowly grown with souvenirs from adventures to far away places, memorabilia from various events, and things that seemed important at the time. Alas, this year there were enough of those special things to warrant moving to a bigger tree.
After stringing the new lights that Alexis picked out on clearance last January (all the while singing "Let it Glow" at the top of her lungs), it was time to move the ornaments from the old tree to the bigger new one. Of course, each ornament has a story and Alexis decided to use her energy to tell every single one of them. First she moved the ones that are related to places. From there she moved on to events. She spent a long time reliving her memories of the Winter Classic.
But then came the really fun part.
The "things that seemed important at the time" ornaments are intended to capture what Alexis is passionate about each year. For example, last year we added a cheerleading ornament to her tree. Years before the theme has been things like Sesame Street, Dora, Disney Princesses, High School Musical, Big Time Rush, etc. This year will likely bring an Elvis ornament to the collection.
Those early years, though. Those are the fun ones. Alexis has much shame when it comes to the Dora and Sesame Street years. She is so ashamed of them that she tried to not move them over to the new tree and instead wanted to give them to Mila. That didn't work out so well for her since the goal is for her Christmas tree to reflect her over the years. Mila will end up with an entirely different set of ornaments, I'm sure.
Alexis begrudgingly stuck Boots, Dora, and all of their friends in the back of the tree, once again pondering why she ever liked them.
And then she found this gem.
It's a Hannah Montana ornament. The only thing is that when she found it, Hannah was missing an arm. A bit of surgery fixed the situation, but not before Alexis could explain that Hannah was really Miley and nobody cares if Miley is missing an arm, except maybe her dad. For some reason that I do not comprehend, the idea of Miley Cyrus sporting just one arm struck Alexis as HILARIOUS, so she wound up rolling around on the floor laughing.
I had to ask why the whole thing was so funny.
"Because, mom! The wrecking ball wrecked her arm!"
I almost see what's so funny about that. Almost.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Reader Comments (4)
The 'out of favor' ornaments serve a greater purpose... Without them, she'd have to put something she likes on the back of the tree. Every tree needs 'filler.'
I hope that as time goes by she won't be ashamed of her 'out of favor' ornaments. They are part of who she is. Dorda ruled!
I knew Alexis had her own tree, but I didn't know the story of her ornaments. I absolutely LOVE this idea, and I hope someday I can do something similar with my kids :)
i hope alexis is never ashamed of who she once was. who she once was just so happened to be fantastic and helped her become even more special today.