All things can be toys

Yesterday I took out the Christmas tree. This was not the easiest of tasks as it's a big tree in a fairly awkward box on the top shelf in the garage. I did manage to get it down and into the living room upstairs with a few choice words along the way. It was M's nap time so I was allowed a few choice words. The box stayed unopened for a bit and M discovered that it made a great seat/table. I think the picture shows how he felt about it. Note that I have him in a zip up sleeper so he can not pull his diaper off.

After I took the tree out and started putting it together M discovered that he fit in the box as did all his toys. He spent another hour or so climbing in and out of the box and placing his toys very precisely in the corners. I love that he is at this stage. The time when a big empty box can be anything he wants it to be and is the best toy in the whole world in that moment.

Today M discovered the fun of the tree. He has been playing with the branches and exploring the lights. This afternoon he realized that he could hide under the branches. I think he was watching the cats and decided he could crawl under with them. I tried to get a picture but he managed to crawl out before I could get the shot. I will describe his process instead (at least until I manage to snap that picture) M gets down on his hands and knees, peeks under the tree, turns himself around and starts to inch his way under backwards. I'm not sure why he has to go backwards but he must go feet first. Once he is under the tree he can then peek under a branch and giggle. Or he grabs a cat and tries to kiss them. The latter led to one good scratch and a crying boy. He did this throughout the day whenever he thought I wasn't looking.

I'm glad he's getting enjoyment out of the tree however I think that I will not bother decorating it. It looks pretty with just the lights and it's safer than a tree with ornaments.  Last night I found one of our cats hanging sideways about half way up the tree. I think ornaments would turn that into a very bad scenario. I also think my stress level would go up significantly having to teach M to leave it alone. So this year we will have a lovely tree with pretty lights. There's no rule that says you have to put the ornaments up and if there is I'm going to break it. I've never been very good with rules.