From that moment on I feel like I sat myself down on a roller coaster and before I know it, it'll be Christmas day. Does every mom feel that way about this time of year? I feel this incredible need to create Christmas traditions for my little family. I always wonder how do traditions begin? You have to do something over and over again I suppose. I want B and Gracie Girl to look back on their childhood and think how special I (or the hubby and I together) made this time of year for them. I feel like every day that goes by during this quick season that I don't do something special with them I'm wasting time. I feel like there are a lot of "I should be doing..." feelings going on with me. I am challenged by this because sometimes I just don't think I am as creative as I hope to be. I'm working on it though. All I have to do is try, right?
This year both of the kids are on the move and interested in things so I think it's going to be a pretty fun year. We already have had a pretty good start to the fun:
We bought the tree. We went to Home Depot this year and bought a wreath that literally is as tall as me. I was carrying it with my arms stretched up above my head and the bottom was barely off the ground. It's awesome! Pete decorated it with lights and a bell and bow. We hung it on the front of the house and it seriously makes the house look festive! We also bought our tree and have it in the Christmas Tree room (or during other seasons we call it, The Desk Room - there are two desks in it). It smells SO yummy. If that smell doesn't put a smile on your face there is something wrong with you.
We visited the Enchanged Village. On Tuesday the kids and I went to Jordan's Furniture with a group of our friends. I had never been (since I suppose I was a kid and it was owned by Jordan Marsh) so it was a new experience (and possible tradition created!) for me. I'm so excited that we brought my mom with us and she was able to experience the fun with us. She was a HUGE help with Gracie Girl too - Thanks, Mom!! You walk through a maze of village scenes and there is Christmas music and every few minutes it snows! At the end there is a change to sit on Santa's lap. Braden and I chose to go on a 4D Polar Express ride instead. Oh my goodness, my little guy is a brave kid! The chairs move ALL over the place (apparently 8 directions) and there is water sprayed and Christmas tree smell and obviously you have to wear 3D glasses and get buckled in. All things that he really hasn't had to do before. He kept looking over at some random boy sitting next to him and telling how EXCITED he was. Too Cute! I gleamed the whole time. I was so proud of him. It was a blast. My mom took the pictures on her phone so I'll have to upload those as soon as I get them from her. Very, very fun experience for us and I definitely think we'll go back.
We're watching Christmas Movies. Pete and I have a tradition of our own that I'm attempting to begin with the kids. From Thanksgiving to Christmas Pete and I attempt to sit down together every night and watch a Christmas movie. It doesn't always happen but we probably watch about 4-5 a week. We LOVE it and I am so happy we do this together. I find it a little more difficult to do with the kids (mostly B - Gracie isn't into watching T.V. yet). Some of the movies are too old or bring up the question of "Is Santa Real?". I literally dread that question and DO NOT want the idea even remotely suggested to my little boy. He's a smart 4 year old and I just don't want any spirit of Christmas challenged yet. So we watched the old cartoon Grinch and Thomas Christmas shows and so far that's been it. I would take any and all suggestions of other young kid friendly Christmas movies.
Christmas Song Sing Along/Dance Parties. It may not surprise those of you that know me out there that Braden, Gracie and I spend a lot of time having dance parties in our Christmas tree room/living room area. We put on a record or the iPad and just dance our little hearts away. So we do this on a regular basis but during this time of the year we do it to Christmas music. I LOVE Christmas music. In fact, I do not listen to any other type of music from the day after Thanksgiving until the day after Christmas. I love it. I love singing along to it. It makes my heart happy. It also makes my heart remember all the good memories and my grandparents and old family stories and just good, good stuff. I am so thrilled that Braden already has this same love for the music. He sings along and remembers the words and just makes it so much fun. I love having a (almost!) 4 year old this year. You should see us singing carols in the grocery isle. Neither one of us cares who's listening :)
Decorating the house. It's been a slower process that I would like this year. I typically have the house completely decorated by now. By this weekend it will be. It's pretty fun how much B wants to help me. We bought Santa and Tree and Snowman window decals and he loves putting them on the windows. We have all sorts of other decorations and candles and things and he is so eager to put the around the house. On top of the children's enthusiasm, I am blessed to have my hubby so into the season as me. He enjoys every piece of the cheer and it is something I truly love.
Coming up...In the next few weeks Pete and I have a bunch of Christmas parties and we're going to The Boston Pops Christmas concert. The kids are having a cookie decorating party and going to my parent's golf club Christmas party (Santa arrives in a helicopter!!). We have extended family coming in from MN (yay!!!), both my sister and Pete's sister arrive from far away, we have Braden's 4th birthday (Dec. 8th), my MIL's birthday (the 9th) and my mom's birthday (Christmas day!).
So as you can understand I feel like I bought myself a ticket for the Christmas Season roller coaster and I'm headed on a fun ride for the next month...but as I've been trying and promising...I'm going to slow down and hopefully enjoy each and every tiny little moment. I don't want to miss a thing!
