POOR THING, TREETOP ANGEL

Never, ever, has this happened before!  In all my years of raising toddler have toddler after toddler never, ever, has this happened before!

We've hung the Christmas tree upside down from the ceiling, decorated with red ribbon and a star on the bottom (or should I say the top).

We've secured half a Christmas tree firmly against the wall, strung with multi-colored lights.

We've surrounded the Christmas tree with decorated cement blocks to resemble presents to keep the toddlers' walkers at bay.

And this year, for only the second time ever, we put a short Christmas tree on top of a table. We adorned it with crystal orbs and reflective icicles and silvery glittery garland.

It stood there a month.

Now, Christmas Day, sitting on the floor playing with grand babies, Miss Lilly toddles over to me and  pushes something in my face, asking, "What's this?"  I pulled my head back to put an eyeball on it -- focus, focusing -- IT'S THE TREETOP ANGEL!!!!!

"WHERE'D YOU GET THAT??????"

Raising my head a bit higher, laser seeking eyes looking towards the Christmas tree, "OH MY LANDS!"  It looked quite sad laying in front of the picture window on it's side.  Settled over some forgotten presents, across the couch's arm rest, drooping white & silver garland, there were pieces parts scattered in its crash.  Poor thing, it had a broken leg!

Without notice, and ever so softly, the Christmas tree had fallen.