The Christmas Season: What I learned while getting our tree.

The thing that usually puts me in the spirit of Christmas is picking out our Christmas tree.

It might have been Sheldon's first year that we decided to ditch the artificial and go real.  When we lived in the City we would go to an overpriced lot to pick out our tree and then have it delivered.  Once we moved here, we found a tree farm where we could go out and choose our own tree which Peter would then cut down.

A few years ago, when Peter wasn't able to come with us, I took the kids to the farm and we chose a pre-cut one from them.  It was so easy that we continued that tradition.

This year we decided to go back to cutting down our own tree.  How traditional.  How romantic.  How, sometimes, ridiculous.

This is what I learned.

I learned that all trees look smaller in the forest than they do in your home.

I learned that when you think that you've found the perfect tree, but decide to look for a few more minutes, you should mark the perfect one with a glove or something because you'll never find it when you go back.

I learned that, no matter the age, children are always going to find something to whine/argue about while trying to choose.

I learned that the wagon ride is fun, no matter what your age.

I learned that hot chocolate and marshmallows at a tree farm always tastes the best.

I learned that even though you may only need one for a job, it's nicer when you have help.

I learned that the tree does, truly, make it feel like Christmas.