A pick me up

Today was one of those days that made me want to get away and escape. No, it wasn't the kids. They were actually pretty awesome today. It was my dog. We have a 130+lb boxer who has separation anxiety issues. So, when I leave to take Gabe to preschool, I lock him in the basement for 3 hours until I return home. I know he chews on the door and he barks while we are gone, but he has found a new past time. He can open the door now. So, we come home today from preschool and guess who greets us at the front door? None other than Tax the escape artist. Now, it wouldn't have been that big of a deal. Who really cares that he eats the kids' leftovers from breakfast or lunch or that he gets on the furniture. I would actually say that I do, except today he reached a new level. I continue to open the front door, the kids run in, I am struggling to get my keys out of the door, and then I see it. I see it on the floor......I see our fully decorated and lighted Christmas tree completely on its side with ornaments strewn all over! Our dog knocked over our Christmas tree because he was trying to look out the window that it was in front of!

Oh, it wasn't a good thing to come home to. Poor Gabe was so upset. Here he is, a 5 year old coming home to find his Christmas tree that he helped decorate all over the floor. I was upset, but after I threw the dog outside, I inspected it. Luckily, my thoughts of having to take $200 to buy a new tree turned into relief that we just needed a new base. So, I packed the boys back up and headed out to Menards. Nope, no tree base. They told me to try Big Lots. Nope, no tree base. I talk to the husband. He goes to Lowes....you guessed it, no tree base. Finally, he tries Wal-Mart. I think I heard the angels sing when he called and said that they had tree bases! Only $7.50 fixed our tree, well at least allowed it to stand up again. It looks out of whack with crunched up branches and ornaments out of place, but at least it is standing.

After all of the excitement, I was trying to relax when Gabe asked me what was wrong. I just told him that I was having a bad day. Next thing I knew, he brought me the above picture to cheer me up. It instantly made my day so much better! How can you be in a bad mood when you have the love of a 5 year old who draws you pictures of Santa and 2 reindeer flying over our house? I am so very lucky!