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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

As many parents of toddlers know, the predicament is WHERE to put the tree. With 3, it is even more of a challenge b/c you can forget a superyard gate. They'll tear it down. Leaving it wide open is also not an option. 3 sets of little hands equals T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

At the same time, you want the tree to be around, so they can see & enjoy it. The solution, put it in the dining room which is virtually completely connected to the living room & only divided by a baby gate. We can all enjoy it all day/night long & don't have to worry about little hands pulling down all the ornaments.

Oh, & let's not even try to discuss whether the tree is real 'cuz it ain't. Sorry, real trees are super prickly & although the kids don't have free reign when it comes to being around the tree, we do let them touch & explore it every day & will be opening our presents around the tree on Christmas so it is a "tree-in-a-box" for us!

Gabi was so happy to actually be able to touch the tree & ornaments!


All 3 around the tree!


Sofi getting a closer look.


Gabi checking out her own ornament from last year.


Daddy & the kids <3.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Teach your children not to touch it. We never had our tree away from the children. The helped to decorate it and look at it but they never played with it. They just new that it was not to be touched.

Samantha said...

Astrid, my trips are 16 months and we have a Superyard around ours. They sometimes touch the tree through the gate, but never a problem. They mess with everything else in the family room, but not the gate.

Team Darnell said...

Our tree is also in a different room. However, we are going to my mother's for Christmas and there is no way to protect her tree. Let's just say I am nervous... to say the least!

TheGrowingCunninghams said...

You've got to do what works for you, and it sounds like you found the perfect solution. We, too, were nervous about the tree but put it up in our family room and only put plush ornaments within their reach. Even those are threaded on the tree pretty well. The first day was pretty touchy - no pun intended - but the kids barely notice the tree now. Well, except for M who in a moment of pure frustration actually bit the tree. In any case, Merry Christmas to you and the family.

txsjewels said...

AWWW! cute pics. love that you got a shot of daddy's flintstone feet too!!

can't wait to hear about the chaos that will be christmas this year!

love yall.
autie j

The Amazing Trips said...

The first comment by anonymous made me LAUGH. Obviously THEY don't have triplets. It's not quite so simple telling three of the same age, "Don't touch that" and have them listen. At least not the first 1,000,000 times.

From someone who has been there... the first year, no problem. The kids were only a few weeks old and were like little larvae totally swaddled. The next year, the Christmas tree - no more than 3 feet tall - was on a small table. Off the ground, so they couldn't reach it and pull it over on themselves.

The next year (when they were 2) we only decorated the top half of the tree. When they were 3, 4 and 5 - we bought all soft ornaments that wouldn't be ruined if it gets pulled off the tree, dropped on the ground, or inadvertently ridden over by a bicycle.

See, not only do our children touch the tree - they collect ornaments like souvenirs and carry them all over creation. Maybe when they're 10 they'll stop touching the tree. I don't think I'll hold my breath...