The countdown is on. It’s really almost here. This marks the final few days before Christmas. The days when traditions are ramped up to full throttle and we continue to write on to the pages of “Memories” that our kids will take with them throughout their lifetime. I am already seeing visions of a Mommy Chanelle and a Daddy Charlie reminiscing with their own children about the traditions they had “when we were growing up.” Maybe their kids will groan when they tell and retell stories of baking, visiting Santa, counting down with the advent calendar, singing Christmas carols, and celebrating Jesus’ birthday year after year after year. However, if my grandchildren are anything like my children, they will absolutely delight in everything marked tradition.
Oh, I am loving these days.
Can you tell?
Loving. these. days.
This year marks the first year that Charlie and Chanelle seem to remember the things we did last year and anticipate them as if it’s just “what we do.” And it is. It’s just what we do.
Christmas music blares from speakers in every room of the house. Our Pandora account(s) are on the verge of being maxed out as we dance, bake, sing, decorate, and exist with the sounds of the season. When the music isn’t playing, Chanelle makes sure that we hear the sound of her singing voice filling the silence. I don’t know about you, but there is something about Christmas music that makes me want to strap on an apron and bake. Thankfully, I have two kids that love to join me in the kitchen.
After they very carefully made their Nestle’s tower, they assisted me in making sweet treats all afternoon long.
Charlie and Chanelle tend to work really well together and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Little Sister was content enough to watch from the sidelines.
The fruits of their labor were, well, anything but fruits. . .
Oh, but chocolate covered fruits would be good, no?
It’s cold outside and we find that baking is one way that we can fill the days when we are trapped inside for far too long.
Speaking of cold. . . it’s truly cold. Don’t believe me?
Yes, that is snow. Still suspicious? Check this out. . .
Our first “real” snow! Oh, it seems that Mother Nature smiled on us this weekend. We had been planning all week that we would make our visit to Santa. That is The Mr. Santa Claus who just happens to live about 1.5 miles from our house. I know, we are lucky, aren’t we?
Oh, the kids were so excited to go to his house. They talked and talk all evening about what they were going to say to him. As we drove to his house they talked about what they wanted to say to him and oh my goodness we’re almost there! I could almost hear their excited hearts thumping in their chests. We pulled up to his house and it was like entering a magical land.
Colorful lights fill every corner of his property, and characters ranging from Goofy to Santa’s elves can be seen everywhere you look. All around children are milling and squeals of delight echo from every direction.
I sincerely wish everyone could come to our community to take in this beautiful sight. Charlie and Chanelle’s eyes lit up as they took in their surroundings and my heart did a little jump as I listened to them say I remember that from last year! Oh yes, put another mark under “traditions” for us.
As we walked up the sidewalk we all anticipated that arrival of the big guy who was to make his appearance promptly at six o’clock. As my little one’s eyes got wider, though, I noticed their chatter became, um, non existent.
What happened to the excited kids who came in the car with us? When Mr. Claus appeared at the big red door both Charlie and Chanelle drew backwards and I feared they were going to have a change of heart. At first they watched from afar. . .
When it came their turn, though, they did not disappoint. Up they climbed to their destination. . .
Okay, not really. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Charlie let Santa know he wanted a game. Chanelle followed suit. . . she, too, wanted a game.
A game? This certainly wasn’t what they were saying during the car ride to Santa’s. It seems my kids both had stage fright and said the first thing that came to mind. Oh well, that’s okay. It’s all about the experience, right?
As we climbed back into the car and made our way home the kids talked excitedly about how much fun they had and how it was one of the best nights ever. They waved good-bye to Santa and made sure we knew that Santa had told them he liked peanut butter cookies and how they would be listening for him to visit our house.
Yes, that’s what it’s all about. We are making memories. Memories they will carry with them. Little pockets of joy in the midst of their lives and things they will carry forward in their own little way.
Oh yes, I love this stuff.
I recently read about traditions in the book Simple Abundance. It said, “One of the most important aspects about family traditions–rituals that families continue to do year after year–is that traditions have symbols and families need symbols.” A clinical professor of psychiatry, Dr. Steven J. Wolin said, “You bring out the old glass, you sing the old songs, you say the same prayer, you wear a certain outfit, you set the table in a certain way.” These are the unconscious moments of family rituals that become emotional security blankets to be tugged on in times of stress.”
This is so true. Yes, I like to create traditions for my kids, but traditions are just as important to me. I value them. I hold on to them. And, well, I kind of need them.
What are your favorite traditions?
Hi Summer . . . I too, love traditions and feel they are so important. Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! I really enjoy your blog and am amazed of all that you do with a new baby and everything else. Here's to making some wonderful memories this Christmas!
Cheryl N.
Wonderful blog and pictures! Are cut out cookies with no frosting on your list?:). We didn't really have traditions at home. One thing we do now with our boys for years is to open stockings after Christmas Eve service and I usually make a breakfast casserole will have to see about that one with it being on Sunday.
Love the picture of them on santas lap