...but here I seem to be anyways. I guess I had a few conversations that changed my mind. But listen people: don't expect me to actually write frequently. I'm just gearing up for Christmas, probably the same that everyone else is doing right now. Last night we got our Christmas tree. Both Mike and I feel very strongly about live Christmas trees. So it is one of our family traditions to spend a Monday night picking out a tree then going home and setting it up. I also buy the kids new ornaments each year, something that has to do with their life or interests that year (I haven't yet gotten this year's ornaments so don't ask). We spend a fair amount of time reminiscing about the ornaments. My absolutely favorite part? The smell. There is nothing like the fresh, woodsy, scent of a real tree. It's the holidays and family camping trips and memories all rolled into one. Other holiday traditions in our family (I love them so I keep a lot.) Counting down to Christmas: the kids always do one of those chocolate advents. This is their favorite because it's the only time of the year that they get to have chocolate before breakfast. We also do whatever Christ-centered countdown is in the Friend this year. Finally, probably my favorite, is books. I have been working since Logan was old enough to read with me to amass Christmas books. At this point I have 22. I wrap them all and put them in a basket and then each night the kids get to pick one book, open it and we read it together. Some are fun or silly, some are about Christ and some about Santa. Then when Christmas is over I pack them all away with my Christmas decorations until next year. One of the best things is the kids get to unwrap a gift every night and it really takes the edge off of waiting to open all the tantalizing piles under the tree. And finally if I am going to talk about Christmas traditions, I'd better talk about food. There are those foods that just seem to come out this time of the year. And I don't think the holidays would be complete without them. For me it is angel flakes (the best chex mix ever), biscattini dolu (homemade shortbread jam sandwiches), thick sugar cookies with frosting in festive holiday shapes, spinach dip with sourdough bread, shrimp and cream cheese dip with crackers. Oh, there are more, but I'm starting to drool on my computer. This year Logan is supposed to share a family tradition with his first grade class. Parents are invited to listen to the kids and I think I will go to that one. I'm a sucker for traditions and I'm always looking for new ones...
2 comments:
First Facebook and now a blog! Very cool! Merry Christmas to you and Mike and the family!!!
i love your traditions. i need to write mine down so i remember to do them. hehe. i think i might start that book idea. i pack mine away each year too, and wrapping them up to be opened sounds so fun! you always inspire me jessica. miss you already.
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