Monday, December 12, 2011

A Childproofed Christmas

This is our 4th Christmas season with children in the house.  And yes, this is the first Christmas I've actually had to modify the decorations. 

In 2008, G was a mere 10 months old, and only crawling, so it wasn't hard to keep him out of trouble:


When Christmas 2009 rolled around, we were the proud parents of a rather obedient 22 month old, who knew "no" and was happy to play to touch the ornaments with "ONE finger!"

2011 brought a 6 month old cute, non-mobile Hudson and an almost 3 year old.  No modifications needed.
Look at those cheeks!!!

Which brings us to 2012...









                                          ... and these crazies cuties.


Garrett, of course, at almost 4 can follow directions and knows not to pull Rhode Island over on himself.  Hudson on the other hand?  Not so much.  He undecorates the bottom 2 feet of the tree multiple times a day...and by "undecorate" I mean "grabs hold of an ornament and yanks as hard as possible until it comes off".  It's a lovely game. 
So, needless to say, there are minimal decorations out this year.  Except, for one love-ly area.  My mantle.  {cue Hallelujah Chorus and a drum roll here} ...


It's taken a few weeks to complete {and by "complete" I mean I'll be digging our stockings out of a box soon!} but I absolutely love it!
The "trees" {cones} are our Advent Calendar this year.  I like cute, but not cutesy, so when I saw this idea {somewhere!!} I knew I had to do it.  The only problem being once I had purchased the scrapbook paper, got home and put all boys in bed, I couldn't find the tutorial {with patterns} A.N.Y.W.H.E.R.E. on the great world wide web.  Urgh.  So, I winged it. {And other than the circles on the bottom of the cones not fitting perfectly, I really do love it!}  And the best part?  It's out of reach to all humans under 5'10"!  Yay!

 I love how the wreath turned out.  Especially the E!  And the cute little trees in the little urns?  Yeah, they were an impulse-ish buy at Michael's.  But for $7.49 each, how was I supposed to say no??!  {they were originally $19.99, thankyouverymuch!}

LOVE.


 Complete with the fire burning, taken tonight.  Once the stockings are located hung, we'll be in business!





I'm linking up to these Linky parties:
Alamode's Mantelscapes
Christmas Cheer
Tip Junkie handmade projects

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