Christmas Tree

Yesterday we put up the Christmas tree. This year I went out and bought a new one (one of the Black Friday door buster deals). Our old one was one where you had to put in every branch and it wasn't pre-lit, so it took 3 days to put up (1 day to put in branches, 1 day to rest, and 1 day to put the lights on). So I was determined to get a pre-lit tree that comes in 3 pieces. Since it was the first time putting it up, I had to arrange every "tip", which took quite a while. Having 2000 tips makes the tree look more real, but arranging 2000 tips is not fun. Made me think back to the old fake tree we had growing up. We also had to put in every branch, but each branch had 3 tips. I'm guessing there were about 60 branches, so there were 180 tips. 180 tips = not very real looking.

Blythe had fun helping with the tree and actually was helping. Ethan was not so helpful, except to test maybe the durability of the tree. Here is a pic of Blythe putting the angel on the tree.

We also decided to take the kids to the pool yesterday. Neither had swam since the summer, so we wanted to get them reacquainted (plus they have a really nice hot tub). The pool water was a little chilly, but both kids did well. Blythe wasn't as comfortable as she was at the end of the summer, but she still went underwater a few times with no issue. Ethan loves the water more than Blythe did when she was that age. He is completely comfortable in the water, even on his back. And he loves splashing!

Blythe and Ashley will be taking swimming lessons starting in February, so it's probably a good idea to keep going every now and then before she starts. I think we may also sign Ethan up for water babies. Then we can trade off and each of us would only have to get in 3 times.

When I was downloading pics from Grams' camera on Saturday I came across this pic from the end of summer which I think is so funny.