Most Popular Post

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Santa's Elves

I have not had the Christmas spirit until this week. When our daughter was growing up, I was as excited about Christmas as she was. I loved buying and wrapping gifts, the lights, candles, family and friends gathering, traditional Christmas food, decorations, an occasional hot toddy, the music, everything really. Christmas was magical. 

When our daughter married and moved to England, she and her husband were not often home for Christmas. I lost the joy of the occasion and was not interested in decorating or anything else about Christmas. Now, we have two granddaughters. 



How can one be around young children at Christmas and not love the occasion? Their excitement is infectious and in spite of oneself, the spirit sneaks up and over-shadows you. That is what happened this past week. Being around the girls, their excitement, singing Christmas carols, inspired my husband, Rick and I to decorate the exterior.



We accomplished the decorating in high winds on a cold, sunny day. Then we put up our tree and the girls finished decorating it and around the house. 




   


                A Dickensian caroller appeared in the nativity scene. Time travel?

 
                  This is how a two year old strings beads on the tree

A special dinner of baked ham, sitting by the fireplace, rounded out the day.

Santa had two little elves this year who helped Nanny and Poppy to find the Christmas spirit. They did a great job.


The girls hung their stockings on the twig tree because the fireplace was too hot.

16 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

The girls did a charming job on that tree!

Unknown said...

Marie,Not many get two little angels to help decorate for Christmas.What a lucky Nanny you are!!

Marie Smith said...

They had such fun!

Marie Smith said...

I am well and truly blessed.

sousca said...

And what lovely little elves they are indeed. It really is the children that make Christmas, their excitement and joy can be quite infectious.
If you come home worse for wear after celebrating, at least you can't miss your house with the decorative lights outside!

Marie Smith said...

We'd never leave the lights on if we were out of the house. No need to waste the electricity after all.

Anvilcloud said...

Don't you just love grandchildren?

Marie Smith said...

There is no way to explain to someone what the experience of being a grandparent is like. It has to be experienced. It is one of the great joys in life for those lucky enough to experience it.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Your grand-daughters did a wonderful job with the decorating of your tree. I love those pearl bead decorations.

Marie Smith said...

The girls were so excited, it made the experience extra special.

Mage said...

They really did. Bravo to them.

Marie Smith said...

Seeing Christmas through their eyes makes the occasion extra special for us.

Shammickite said...

Nice to have professional help when getting the tree decorated, my tree help will not be available till next week due to previously booked Christmas themed activities (with his Poppa), but I have made the appointment. Beautiful tree, beautiful granddaughters!

Marie Smith said...

The best trees are the ones done with grandchildren in my opinion. I kept the decorations ready for the girls and they talked and talked as they put them on the tree. It was amazing to listen, watch and smile as they worked.

Jackie said...

Your Grands are beautiful and precious.
I love the way they strung the beads on the tree! I wouldn't have them any other way.
Grandchildren are blessings from the Lord.
Merry Christmas!

Marie Smith said...

The beads are great and a wonderful conversation piece for visitors. I recommend having pre-schoolers do your tree.