Lessons from my daughter

Today is the day!

It’s December so let’s decorate!

My mom always waited for the first weekend of December to put the tree up when we were young. I don’t think she really enjoyed that particular task so as soon as I was responsible enough to do it, I took the job of decorating our Christmas tree over from mom.

Now, I still enjoy putting the tree up and every year, I try to get Emily involved.

This year was no exception.

She unwrapped the ornaments and put them on the tree… All in the same general area!

It made me smile. I am so happy she’s careful enough to handle the ornaments. I’m happy she wants to help.

It made me sad a little too. The concept of spreading the ornaments around the tree to be somewhat even is completely lost on her. The desire to take over the task is not there at all. To put the lights in the tree is unthinkable…

I got over it quickly.

I laughed when I dropped and broke one of the ornaments… Emily couldn’t believe I did that. I had to explain to her that it was an accident, that its broken now so all that is left to do is clean-up so we don’t cut our feet.

Here’s our living room, our tree and some close-up on my favorite ornaments.

Yes, we have a butterfly for tree top. We have, frogs, dragonfly, butterfly, crowns and birds in our tree!

I don’t do traditional! I don’t like to be like everyone else.

It’s good to be different and once you embrace it, life is wonderful!

Last night I turned the table around and decided to tell Emily one if my secrets… My turn to teach her something instead of the other way around.

Christmas is fast approaching and yesterday was Black Friday in the U.S. We have some sales here too but not as it is over the border.

Lesson #1 – I refuse to get into the craziness of shopping when everyone else is. Shop early, shop on-line or don’t shop. This time of year, it’s freezing out, we need warm clothes and the mall is starting to fill with Christmas craziness… Better be done shopping soon!

Lesson #2 – In life, don’t wait for others to make you happy. You see something you like and you can afford it? Get it! My husband and I do this and we’ve never been disappointed. Last night Emily picked a nice scarf for herself and I did the same! We will wrap them and offer them to each other on Christmas Day!

She’s really excited but is a little worries she’ll want to wear it over the next month 🙂

I explained to her that the wait will make opening her gift even more fun!

We high fived and when on to buy something for daddy…!

Here is Emily in her way out

She looked at herself in the mirror and said “now that’s a style!”

🙂

I am so glad we’ve managed to raise a daughter full of self-esteem. A daughter who knows she’s amazing and who I am sure will keep making her way through life teaching people.