Decorating the Tree

Once we got home from Tomball, we began the tedious task of pulling down the Christmas decorations. Don't get me wrong, I love pulling out the tree, manger scene, ornaments, etc., but I really don't enjoy all the time it takes to put up our tree. Most people these days have trees that they pull down from their attic, assemble in a few minutes because there are only two attachments, and because their tree is pre-lit. Nope, not ours. Ever single branch has to be placed in a specific hole. And then it takes me about an hour and a half or more to put the lights on the tree. Aaron tried so sweetly to encourage me by saying, "but you do such a good job with the lights." Then he quickly departed the room, leaving me with strands, strands and more strands of lights to tackle by myself.
So, here is where the excitement comes to fruition. I had already talked to the girls about the importance of not pulling on the stockings over the fireplace since they are held in place by very heavy, wrought iron holders. They seem to understand me, don't ask any questions, and don't even go near them for a while. I proceed to place lights on the tree and Makenzie decides to join her dad outside. Ashlyn starts to talk to me about the dogs' stockings and how we need to put candy in them. I tell her that we aren't going to put candy in them, but some other treats, all the while I continue to place lights on the tree. At some point I look up and Ashlyn puts her hand on the stocking as if she is going to pull on it. I look at her and say, "Ashlyn, don't pull on the stocking." What does my darling two and a half year old do? Yep, she takes a split second to process what I have said, gives a little tug, and the stocking and holder comes straight for her. I couldn't get to her before it made contact with her face. Blood is dripping on her clothes as I am frantically yelling for Aaron and trying to figure out if we need to take her to the ER. We got the bleeding to stop and I attempted to use a butterfly bandage to pull the skin above her lip together (pretty hard to do with tears and snot rolling down her face). Looking at the pictures, you can't really tell how bad the cut is, but I am here to testify that there was a lot of blood from the injury. I am SO THANKFUL the holder didn't hit Ashlyn in the eye!!