Setting Up the Tree--09

Years ago, Mark and I use to talk all big about when our kids would leave the nest--and how we would be doing high fives and breaking out the cotton candy and ponies. (That is what we would jokingly tell our kids we did when they were sent to bed.)

Now that we are getting closer to that flying the coop day, I am not feeling as strong--in fact, last night I had a bit of a melt-down.

The Christmas tree was up--thanks to Mark--and wrapped properly and abundantly with lights. Usually, the next step would be that everyone would break out their own boxes of ornaments--and while we ate chili, hot chocolate, etc. the ornaments that the kids had received each year were placed on the tree. Usually this involved playful reminiscing and lighthearted arguments. I love that sound of us just being a family.

When the kids were little, I would have to move the ornaments after they went to bed because they were all concentrated on the lower limbs--and they were never evenly spaced out.

Other times, I would complain to Mark that it was impossible to keep a 16 month, 3 year old and 5 year old from rearranging the ornaments constantly. Then there were the times when they would take their Star Wars figurines and play hide and seek with them among all of the ornaments. One year, Luke Skywalker almost made it into the Christmas tree box!

To tell you the truth, I really miss those days.

And that brings me to my meltdown. We could not find a time when everyone was at home. Between work, hanging out with friends, dates, etc., there was no time during the holiday weekend for everyone to work on the tree together. I had to talk them into at least hanging up a few of their favorites before they left the house.

Then, Mark and I were hanging up the rest of the kids ornaments--and as I hung up the "Baby's 1st Christmas--89", Ballet Bear, and "Strawberry Shortcake Baking Cookies," I got kind of weepy. Well, not really 'kind of.'

I am not gonna lie--I didn't much like it and I told Mark that I am not sure I am ready for just me and him!

I know I have 2 years before the last kid is officially off to college--I sure hope that is enough time for me to prepare for the next chapter. I better get right on that!