Monday, December 8, 2008

A Clark Christmas

We have a lot of Christmas traditions and memories as a family. There are lots of things we like to do together every Christmas, places we like to go (Who could forget the Christmas Parade incident??), special books we love to read, and songs we enjoy singing. One of our favorites is decorating the Christmas tree.

For us Clarks, it's all about the ornaments. The kids each get a new one every year and they are each sentimental. It's a very exciting and emotional time when we decorate the Christmas tree every Black Friday. (Who wants those early morning crowds? I'd much rather lounge around in our pajamas having fun.)
Here's how we do it (because you know there must be order in a "big" family): we set the big box of ornaments in the center of the rug and the kids line up in front of it.
They take turns picking out an ornament, unwrapping it, strolling down memory lane, and then adorning the tree.
As soon as that ornament is on the tree, the next kid jumps up. It goes pretty fast actually.

Lydia kept saying: I got a big one! I got a big one!

Of course, the biggest thrill was when a kid unwrapped more than one ornament. Sometimes 2 or even three are wrapped up in that precious bubble wrap. (Their momma's a real penny pincher.)
I must brag about Daniel's footed pajamas. Found these at my favorite thrift store, in new condition, and ya know footed pajamas in size 4T are kinda hard to find!

Remember I told you Maya's always cold? Thus the windbreaker in our living room.

After we got all the ornaments hung, we celebrated the accomplishment with some holiday dancing.
Look at that happy boy! He's just happy to have found someone willing to dance with an over-sized wearer of footed-pajamas. Partners like that are rare ya know?





5 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks like such fun! I should have taken pictures of our children putting their decorations on, but I forgot. :( Maybe next year!

heartchild said...

It cracks me up to see Maya in the living room with her windbreaker on. At this very moment, Lillie is fully dressed with her big fuzzy robe covering it all. :-)

Leanne said...

I love the footie-jammies! I have the same pair in size 2 and I'm going to have to cut the feet off and hem them up as my little one can't stand attached feet....but they are oh so cute!

Also, I emailed you an adoption question - hope that's ok!

Stacy - midlifearmywife.com said...

Cute pics!! Emily wears 4T footed PJ's too! The other day at Target, we saw adult (or really big kid?) sized footed PJs too. I didn't have time to check them out, but I might have to go back and find a pair to match the kids one day :)

Bones said...

I love the way you decorate the tree! Taking turns, etc. Awesome!

I love the dancing, too.