Christmas comes to Chaosville

Last Saturday we broke out the Christmas decor! Well, I guess I should start at the beginning...
When we all were up Saturday morning I set the boys to work cleaning up the living room so that we could decorate for Christmas. We had a short break while we went to the Christmas parade in town and when we got back, Jayme and Raley went up in the attic to get down the Christmas boxes. Before we got started, I took a picture:

First we put the tree together. Yes, we have a fake Christmas tree. We have had it since 1999 so it isn't fancy, doesn't have it's own lights attached and, truth be told, it probably won't be around next year. I love our tree though. We don't get a real tree because decorating them makes me itch and every time I barely brush up against it I break out. I may try again next year, we are talking about going to a tree farm and cutting our own tree, then we will buy a new fake tree on clearance...but I digress!
After the tree was up and the lights were on it we decorated the rest of the living room. This year, my mantle arrangement is.....stark is the word that comes to mind. I usually put a lot more stuff up there, but Jayme liked this look so we are trying it out:

Last year on clearance I bought the Little People Nativity set I have been wanting FOREVER!!! We have all the Little People farm related sets and they are usually in the living room and all three kids play with them. Well, I have to add that the boys use the barns but usually either have their dinosaurs attack the farm or they use the barns for their Transformers. Pattie fell in love with the baby Jesus in the nativity and brings it to me several times a day. She says, "Aww, see baby? Cute!" then she says, "Uh-oh, where Mama?" and she goes to get Mary.


After Pattie's nap we got the ornaments box and the boys helped me put them on the tree. I was very proud of myself for not being too bossy about where to put things. I took care of the breakable ornaments and left the others for the boys. I helped Pattie put a few on and she has done pretty well about not messing with the tree.

Our house will never win an award for holiday decoration, but we love it. It is our home in every sense of the word. We have mostly kid-friendly ornaments and it's okay with us if the kids take something off and put it in another spot. I can't wait to add this year's assortment of school-made gingerbread men, Santas, reindeer and candy canes. I don't put them up year after year, but they are still there, at the bottom of the boxes for me to see and remember each year. Next year's plans include some outdoor decorating too!