O Christmas Tree

About 5 years ago, I decided that I wanted a "pretty tree". It was going to match my living room. I got all new decorations. Purples, greens, bronze, browns......it looked gorgeous. I had a 4 foot tree that I put in the corner of my dining room that had all the kids ornaments on it from years past. This year something came over me. I decided to do that "Hallmark Tree" again. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the little ones, or the fact that I want it to be more of an Asian/American Tree. So, I got all new ornaments, put all the ones on it that Emmie had made through the years, the Asian ones that I already had for Sophia, bought more from China Sprout, found meaningful ones from the Hallmark store, added the two candy canes that Sophia made in preschool today and decided to start the tradition of a new ornament each year for the kids. I also have candy canes with our names on them....... Dad, Mom, David, Susan, James, Emily, Sophia and Daniel. ;) Whew....what a tribe! ;) There is one for Olivia as well, however it is way up at the top of the tree......that is all I can bare to do right now. That dream seems so far away and I have decided not to dwell on it. The candy canes that you see hanging in the front of the Christmas were the "props" for the kids picture......Sophia likes them on the tree and re-arranges them daily. Hence the "cluster". ;) The "Red Tree" might not look as good as the other, but when I look at it, I see love, family, children, memories, culture and a future. So here is the start of a new (and old) beginning.......

The Christmas Tree wording is......."Connected with a bond of belonging"......"Forever Family". Even though we became a Forever Family in 2005, this is the year I chose to do the tree different, so I find it very meaningful. Then I thought the pink Hair Dryer ornament for Emmie. Totally appropriate since the girl spends hours on her hair!!!!

I bought Bob the Builder for Daniel this year and Sophia got the Chinese Take Out. How cute is that? I also got a Mermaid one for her too! ;)

Then we have some of our Asian theme ornaments as well. Sophia's first Christmas , an Asian Tea Pot, a panda, the Pagoda and little Asian girl from Hallmark's Around the World and I have all the Zodiac Animals around the tree as well.

Sophia also thinks it is quite fun to add all her own little personal touches to the tree. Such as straws, cups, her purses, small books....anything she can put on it. I think it's cute. Doesn't bother me in the least. And then lastly......my all time favorite. Emmie's first ornament she made me when she was 3 years old. I love it. The start of a new tree........ I must be getting more sentimental in my old age! *wink*