The Tradition Continues

A long time ago, Cuppa started the tradition of a tree decorating party. My parents had moved to our town, and they didn't make a big fuss of Christmas at their place (just a small fuss), so she'd invite them over to help decorate our tree. They were happy for the outing and the chance to be with us and their grandkids. And then there was Val who was on her own and had a birthday around that time, so she was brought into the fold.

We did that for quite a long time, but then the girls moved out, the grandparents passed on, and Val became immobile after her stroke. At some point, however, Thesha took up the mantle, and we've been heading over to her place for four years now to help them put up their tree. Time marches on, and we're now the grandparents who don't put up a big tree at our place.

Thesha's do hasn't reached quite such a grand scale as her mother's yet, especially this past Sunday when hubby had to be out of town. Nevertheless, despite colds and sore throats and lack of energy, Cuppa and I did get over on Sunday afternoon. Snacks were set out, the tree decorations were brought out, and the trimming of the tree began.

They have a new tree this year, a tall narrow one that fits nicely into the fairly small space behind the fence that keeps Nikki Dee out of mischief (as if). This is what it looked like before the bulbs were hung.


And here it is, all trimmed in red and white and behind the fence. Although Nikki Dee may be impressed by the tree, she remains unimpressed by the fence.


But she was still happy enough to smile for the camera.



With my help she had been standing and bouncing on the back of the couch, but by the time Cuppa was able to snap this photo, she was in the process of sliding down. She had probably spotted some other mischief to get into item to explore.


Have I conveyed the impression that the kid is a quiet toddler who is content to sit and tend to her own affairs? If so, I apologize for misleading you. In truth she never stops. If it's true that boys are more active and more mischievous than girls, we really in for it when ChillBaby arrives in February.

Nevertheless, I must confess that I really love that kid. I know I've never said that before (as if), so I'm saying it now.