Traditions

This year's holiday seemed to be all about traditions...

Making new ones, hanging on to old ones, and breaking others.

We started with a new tradition of welcoming an elf to our family. His name is Fred. Sometimes Diego. Other times his name is 'Huckenchucks'. No matter what his name is, we always know that elf is watching, often from an exciting new location like the hanging lights or the mantle. One day he rode the cash cow (Jaxon's piggy bank) and he's even managed to perch from the very top of our windows.

It's been a joy to watch Kiley find him every morning- she practically bolts out of bed with an urgent need to find 'Elf'. To which she points and giggles till the novelty wears off. And then she does it again a half hour later. This elf has also been our watchdog for good behavior that we've hung over Jaxon's head just a few times. Which begs the question why there wouldn't be a year-round elf, though I guess that is a parent's job? Can't leave all the discipline up to a 10-inch piece of animated felt I guess.

Grandma and Grandpa Walker also introduced Jaxon to the 25 Days of Christmas... their own made-up Advent calendar. Jaxon received two bags with no less than 25 wrapped gifts, the weekend of Thanksgiving, each with a handwritten card and a special something inside. Often it was something we could make together, decorate our house or tree with, or give away as a special gift to someone he loves.

It's a special piece of grandma and grandpa to keep with him each day when they can't be closer. And while I recognize the thought and love that goes into it, we've decided to modify this tradition next year to 12 Days of Christmas.

I couldn't keep up.

So, finally after all our holiday preparations, we headed up to West Fargo this year on a snowy Friday morning. At least it was white out for a little while!

We made it just in time to catch a game of 'Headbandz' with cousin Zoe. Grandpa was very excited to be a spoon. Scott asked some very thought-provoking questions about pizza, and Jaxon pretty much just told everyone what they were. Kiley was concerned that the blue headband didn't match her red shirt. So she opted out.

And of course, carried on our tradition of making Gingerbread Houses. This is one of those traditions we've decided to modify for next year.

Here's the thing. Those gingerbread house kits are crap. They never seem to turn out the way they look on the box, leaving a child (and their parent) feeling incompetent and hopeless. Kiley knew it right away though, that she was never going to get that icing to stay on the uneven slabs of gingerbread. So she just used some whipped cream, put some gumdrops and sprinkles on top, and called it a day. Smart girl.

So if the folks at Michaels could indulge a frustrated parent and grandma, and get to work on some preassembled houses we can just decorate, we'll oblige by making this our new tradition.  

 

My family tradition has always been to go to church on Christmas Eve. Most everyone opted out of going this year though either due to a great football game on tv or delicious snacks being served on the kitchen counter. Given my parental guilt and recent overwhelming desire to introduce my kids to God and the true meaning of Christmas, I was excited to take the kids to the church service and thought it would be the start of my new resolution to go to church more often.

Or ever.

Well, traditions don't always last. Nor do they sometimes start the way you want them to.

I've realized this and have already let it go.

Jaxon was adamantly against putting on his Christmas sweater and shirt I bought him. And from there it was pretty much downhill and I knew I wasn't getting him to go to church. Not when there was Angry Birds and delicious snacks.

But Kiley was happy to get dressed up and accompany me and Scott to church. We'll try again next year for all of us, and I'm still resolving to go to church more often.

Or ever. Nice sweater or not. With or without my compliant/non-compliant children. 

 

When we got home from church, we took some pictures of the kids. Not sure these are as Christmas-card worthy as the shots last year, but we tried. Too many wiggles and squirms this time around!

Okay, and seriously, is she not so adorable? Look at this girl in her cute little Christmas dress! A mother could not be more proud.

Unless her son wore his Christmas sweater and went to church with her. Then she'd be really proud.

And of course, we even wrote it down on a list- this year we were going to get a picture of the four of us and a picture of all the family.

It was on a list! Did it happen? Not a chance.

Oh well, finally, after a long weekend of too many gifts, too much food, lots of fun, and some good laughs, we headed back home.

We got to celebrate Christmas Day with the Vuongs at our house. There were lots of hugs and kisses. Kiley learned early on, that the more kisses she gave to Grandma Wa, the more gold coins she was able to garner for her new piggy bank.

So now Jaxon has a Cash Cow and Kiley has a Piggy Bank. They've already started saving for our next trip.

Or, ahem, I mean college.

I hope you all had a very happy holiday with whatever family traditions you hold dear to you- whether they are new ones, old ones, or those that have evolved along the way. For our traditions are what we make of them and what we remember of our lives, without even thinking about it....

“I don't know much about history, and I wouldn't give a nickel for all the history in the world. History is more or less bunk. It is tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history we make” - Henry Ford

Tis the season!

I'm not sure what it is about the holidays this year...  but I've really been in the holiday spirit these days.

Maybe it's because it hasn't been so bitterly cold this year, leaving me with a smile on my face rather than a grimmace and hunched up shoulders, scurrying to get inside before my tears freeze to my cheeks.

Maybe it's because I feel so relaxed and less stressed about buying gifts... as we've added a few more adults to our non-gifting tradition and are only providing gift-wrapped joy to the wee ones.

Certainly it isn't the lack of snow, because that is something I do miss. I know. Wierd, right? First I don't mind birds, then I am missing snow. It's not so much that I miss playing in it, because I don't do that. Nor do I miss driving in it, because I pretty much ban myself from the road when the flurries fly. I guess I just miss the white, pristine beauty of an early morning snowfall, the trees covered in little white flecks.

Am I going through a mid-life crisis or something? Well I did just book a trip to Mexico, so it's possible.

I could be in the holiday spirit because we have an elf named Fred living with us. I finally put up Christmas lights in the house. And I got my Christmas cards out before New Year's.  Or, maybe it's because I feel like I am in better shape than I've ever been. I don't have cancer (though my love-hate relationship with WebMd makes me think otherwise. Seriously, I need a restraining order.). And I have just finished the Hunger Games series, making me oh-so-thankful I don't live in District 12.

I also have the most amazing little smiles that greet me every day with hugs and sloppy kisses, new craft projects oozing with glitter and half-dried ribbon, and little giggles and squeals of joy that honestly make me want to cry they are so cute. My husband is just as charming, argumentative, and loving as he was when I first met him. My family is all healthy and well this holiday season and my friends are experiencing the joys of new babies, new love, and new adventures.

I couldn't ask for anything more.

Yes, 'tis the season!

4 for Four

Mom, when will I have another birthday? Jaxon asked as he was taking a nap today... not for another whole year kiddo.

It's been an awesome few days for the kid. No wonder he wants to relive it again. I always wonder what he'll remember from these early years. Probably not a lot, if my memory is any indication... but nevertheless, I want it to be special for him in the here and now. And I guess I have the memories here for all the world to see, so even if he doesn't remember anything... everyone else will and he'll know it must be true!

Jaxon's birthday started out about a month ago when the daily mantra was '4 for Four'! I'm turning 4 on December 4th in about four weeks!

Then, there was the cookie decorating party at Nancy's last week on Thursday to celebrate and finally Grandma and Grandpa Walker came into town on Friday and his birthday weekend was here.

And even though we didn't have birthday celebration on Friday or Saturday, pretty much Jaxon got to break all the rules anyway just because grandma and grandpa and Zoe were with us. Sleepovers in the living room, up until 10pm, too many spritz and other treats (okay, that was me too!).

Sunday was the big golden birthday though- we had a party at the Childrens' Museum with all his friends and family.

Of course I hadn't planned any sort of activity for the kids, thinking we probably wouldn't have time and it might be a little chaotic. Both true.

But children are not short on imagination and an activity was not really needed.  The party started out by finding the least safe 'toy' in the room. I'm pretty sure this was actually Scott's idea.

Then, they found the stage and ran circles around each other until they were exhausted. Bet no parent complained about that one (except for maybe the Heils who had to deal with Gretchen's rugburn on her head). Sorry 'bout that. 

After everyone was sufficiently tired, we had cake and ice cream even though it was only 10:30 in the morning... If you can't break the rules on your birthday though, what fun is that?

Jaxon got a little spooked by everyone singing to him and retreated into his own little space... my lap.

He moved on pretty quickly though and was able to get after his presents. He came home with quite the loot. Lots of fun stuff though that he has been really enjoying the past couple days, including several really loud obnoxious games like Hungry Hungry Hippo and Wack-a-mole. Thanks to everyone who gave him nice quiet things like books, puzzles and money that sits in his piggy bank. You've obviously done this before.

 And before you know it, the scene turned into chaos, and chaos turned into fun...

 We even gathered everyone for a family photo and got most everyone looking!

The after-party was at McDonald's for lunch. What can I say? Kiley had a good time. She was lovin' it and auditioning for a McDonald's commercial.

And as an after-thought, we ended up with a family photo of everyone exhausted, leaving the museum.

Then, today, I took the day off, prolonging the inevitable end of the birthday festivities! I decided I wanted a day with Jaxon without having to work from home, or feed Kiley, or plan around anyone else. Just me and my little boy who doesn't seem so little anymore.

We went to the Mall of America and went on some rides at Nick Universe. At first, I don't think Jaxon really understood why daddy was going to work and Kiley was going to Nancy's... I had to tell him a few different times and a few different ways, and then he seemed to figure it out.

My hope is that it made him feel loved, and so so special, with our undivided attention and focus on him. Scott was able to meet us for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and Jaxon was SO excited to see him. I think he just thought this was the greatest day ever.

After our rides, we stumbled upon a high school band that was playing holiday music. We sat next to a couple and I chatted with them about their son who was playing in the band. They seemed so proud, and had obviously driven a ways to see him and taken off of work. They were beaming when he did his solo (even though he was a little pitchy).

And I had a flash forward.

In ten or twelve years that will be me sitting there, clapping and taking pictures of my teenager in the band... or in the stadium bleachers cheering on the soccer forward... or watching him in his championship tennis match... or any number of things... and it made me just think what a special thing I have and how precious little time we have each and every day...

so I held Jaxon a little closer, told him I love him and how much fun I was having... because you never know what they will remember...

Happy Birthday Jaxon. We love you more than you'll ever know!