Christmas Tree 2012

December 1 marked the day that I set to get our tree and haul out the decorations.  Lilly had been asking since November 15 and I just kept reminding her that it wasn't happening until December 1.

This is the third year in a row we have bought our tree from Kohl's Tree Farm, no affiliation with the department store.  I was sad to find out that similar trees were being sold for quite a bit less closer to my house, oh well. Now we know for next year.

When we arrived at Kohls it wasn't that cold getting out of the car so both of my children refused to wear a coat. Instead of cause a scene or demand they wear coats I decided to teach them to listen to their mother by suffering in the cold.  Now, it wasn't that cold and we were only outside for 10 minutes so this was a safe lesson to teach.  Although the older woman next to us disagreed and told me they would most likely catch cold.  I didn't bother to dispel the myth and tell her that they cannot catch a cold from being in cold temperatures (old people don't tolerate being told that their theories they have been spouting off for years are FALSE). Being in cold air will not give you an infection!(It is also a fact that you cannot do any permanent damage to your eye sight by reading in dim light. It can cause strain but the strain subdues after rest. I really dislike myths that people tell me to make me feel like I am a bad parent. I have more, but I will stop there. This post is about our family Christmas tree after all!) As you can see I shared my pashmina with Lilly, which is what my mother would do when I wouldn't bring a coat.  See, I taught a lesson AND was a loving parent, win-win.

Side note - I couldn't get Jack to actually look at the camera. He was too busy running like a maniac all over the tree lot. Another side note- it was "kids get a free Santa hat" at Kohl's yesterday.  They were both excited but Jack had a fit and wouldn't wear the hat until I put the hat over his fleece hat.  I am guessing that the fleece hat is a lot softer than the Santa hat.

You can either cut down your own tree or choose from the pre-cut selection.  Cutting your own tree saves you $2, so we chose from the pre-cut selection.  After you choose the tree you take it to the barn area and they shake it out, net it up, and then put a tag on it for you to pick up after you are done shopping.  Then they ask you to pose here for their facebook page.

Another fun thing about Kohl's is they have a huge Christmas store with ornaments and any kind of decoration you would want to find.   

This is part of their tree stand collection they have hanging on the wall.

One of the more exciting points for me was the fact that this was the first year we didn't have to tie the tree through the windows of our car.

The tree is home and in the stand waiting for lights and decorations.