Holiday Decorating 3 Year Old Style

Last Christmas season Cora was just awestruck at all the Christmas decorations around town.  It was the first year that she really began to feel some of the magic of the season.  So, John and I decided that this year, in addition to our family Christmas tree, the girls would get their own tree for their room.  Cora and I ventured to the store shortly after Thanksgiving to pick out her very own tree.  Boy was she disappointed when they were out of the sparkly pink tree!  (And, boy was John relieved!)  Fortunately, the sparkly white tree was almost as alluring as the pink one she originally wanted.  We got it set up that very day with some shiny garland (a necklace, according to a certain 3 year old), some shatterproof sparkly ornaments, a couple of glittery C's and some random unbreakable ornaments that didn't make it onto the family tree.  (Clearly, she has the same taste as her mother at age 3!)

 This was very fun, but not quite festive enough.  So, (not so) little missy got to pick out some colored lights to string up in her room as well.  It is a sparkly, glittery winter wonderland in there!  Cora is just in love with it.  Every morning her first task is to turn on her Christmas lights.  She just loves that she is big enough to turn them on and off herself.

And, with her new found enthusiasm, I can't wait to see her face when one of her presents appears under her tree on Christmas morning.  Hee, hee!  I may be a little giddy myself!

(Someone wanted some attention during the photo shoot.)

We also have a little tradition around these here parts about our Christmas ornaments.  Every year, we get new ornaments that commemorate the places we go and the things we do.  I only ended up purchasing one ornament this go around, but I do love the memories that go with it.

It's a T Rex from the Smithsonian.  I made it a bit merrier with the ribbon and jingle bells.  He's the jauntiest little T Rex I've ever seen...don't tell his buddies!

It's also our tradition that our kids get an ornament every year.  Here are the winning selections:

Buddy T Rex

Perdita

I'll wager you can figure out who picked which ornament!  So, we are festive and merry all over our house.  Now, if I can just get those Christmas cards finished!