Will can’t leave our Christmas tree alone.  He constantly removes the ornaments, plays with them, and then puts them back on the tree.  It’s hard for me to get upset because he’s so excited about the tree.  In the process of his routine he has broken several of the ornaments.  So last week I thought I’d take some photos of them before they’re all gone.I love the stories that surround Christmas tree ornaments.  I love that each ornament has a story no matter how trivial. And I love the tradition of telling these stories every single year as the tree is decorated.
The ornaments on our tree come from a few different sources.  Probably a fifth of them are Hallmark ornaments that come from my mother-in-law, Deanna.  Almost every year she finds some really cute ones.  I try to keep these up high so Will can’t get to them but he still managed to get to two this year.  I glued them back together. Another fifth of our ornaments are ones that we have each picked out.  I’ve tried to make this a yearly tradition but it has been hit and miss from year to year. Coca-Cola is one Sam picked out. Another fifth of our ornaments are ones that Ben’s students have given him over the years.  Another fifth of our ornaments, my favorite ones, are the ornaments that are homemade.  Most of these come from Sam when he was in grade school.  This one is one Deanna gave us from when Ben was little.   This dog is one that Sam picked out the first Christmas after Ben and I were married.  It barks “Jingle Bells” and Dallas chewed its nose off last year.Sam made this one in grade school.

A dream catcher Deanna gave us this year. One year Sam picked out a package of Star Wars ornaments. A gift Sam received in grade school. More Star Wars. Another ornament Sam made in First Grade. Here’s the back of it. Deanna got this ornament for us the year Will was born. My Mom got us this one last year after Christmas (it is an outlier).  There is a story behind it that may or may not be true.  But, I just think it’s a cool ornament. This is an ornament that I picked out one year.A Snowman Fire Fighter.  A gift from a student.
A super hero ornament that Sam picked out.  I don’t know which hero but it looks like he’s trying to pick a fight with the peace loving Santa.The last fifth of our ornaments are fillers.  They come in packages of multiples.  Their purpose is to fill in any gaps.
Little Drummer Boy (Hallmark from Deanna). Alaska ornament from my sister Tara (another outlier ornament). Ornament from a student.A filler ornament.This year I made a star because my last two stars got broken.  Deanna took pity on me and gave me hers.  Will loves it because it flashes between purple and green.  Thank you Deanna!  I hope Will doesn’t break it!

A grade school candy cane creation from Sam. Hallmark from Deanna. So cute!

 And that’s it!