Oh Christmas Tree

Nathan and the boys went out last night on an adventure and came back with a Christmas tree. A real live one. It smells good and if you just say the word "smell," Will puts whatever he should smell right to his nose and inhales in rapid fire style. So, this tree is quite nostalgic for us. It is just like a tree we had a few years ago. It doesn't have a top. In fact, both trees are concave at the top. The first one we had, was the fullest one we could find so close to Christmas and I voted for fullness over a pointy top. Nathan however, likes the pointy top. To solve this cosmetic flaw, Nathan duct taped a 4 foot artificial tree to the top, blending the two together in a rather crafty way. I must say, I was duly impressed. That Christmas, we had friends over for desserts and we carefully lit the room so that the already cleverly grafted together tree was even more convincing. All the males invited to the party began to discuss about whether our tree was real or artificial. "It's real. See, feel this part." "No, no. Feel this part! It's artificial." Their wives even stopped their conversation to witness their husbands with their heads literally submerged into our tree. Neither Nathan nor I said a word. We just smiled as they finally found the metal pole duct taped to the trunk. Then they all marveled and enjoyed our tree even more.
Yep, he did it again this year. It looks just as good as it did the first time. Probably even better. This time around, we have a 4 year old who sits and stares at the tree and begs to sleep in the same room with it illuminated all night long. His angelic, sleeping face glowing in the twinkling luminescence. He had a hard time falling to sleep. He had watched attentively as Nathan and I circled the tree with seemingly endless strands of white and colored lights. He talked the whole time, reminding us that he was in charge of the Christmas tree and that he is smart - he doesn't know why, that's just how God made him. When we had finished, his voice was full of expectant joy as he suggested we turn out the lights. As we did, he was overcome by it's beauty, "It's like a dream, but it's not. If this was a dream, I would be flying!" He said that Baby Will would not believe it when he woke up in the morning. He couldn't wait to show him.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. Children make it even more so. I felt like sleeping in there, too.
He's in there now. Quietly sleeping. Visions of sugar plums dancing in his head.