From the beginning it was obvious Gideon adored the tree. First thing every morning he makes us turn on the lights and every time he comes home he points to it and dances. He spent all of breakfast staring at the polaroid of us cutting it down -- kind of like how one would stare at a photograph of a new love. He insisted on taking the picture to daycare so he could show his babysitter. Poor woman is likely still hearing all about it. Yes, all very cute, I know.

But I don't think he understands that the tree will not be up forever, in fact, it's coming down this weekend. He is going to be devastated. I'm not sure if it would be best to include him in the process and inspire the inevitable meltdown of parting with his amore -- or take it down after he goes to bed and give him the shock of his life the next morning. Maybe start him on an early "I see Christmas trees" neurosis and be all "Tree? What are you talking about? There was never a tree inside the house!" Or perhaps jumpstart him on the cold cruel world and be like "Yeah, the tree is just not that into you, so she left."