The Magic of Christmas Traditions...old and new.

magic. i always feel that when i read her words. she creates it for her girls in so many ways...and I want to create it for my boys too- in our own kind of way. Family. Memories. Old traditions and new ones. This season offers up a lot of opportunities for traditions...ones we re-create for our boys from our own childhood...and new ones, just the four of us.  It seems right somehow, as the boys get older, to create some of our own special ones this year. I want them to experience the magic and hope this season brings. I still remember the magic I felt as a child this time of year. I want to do new things...giving (having the boys pick out an animal to give to a child somewhere else in the world)...a north pole party ...I so want to have a north pole party (it looks magical doesn't it?)...maybe this year, maybe next. 

 For now...I'm content with these simple ones we started this week.

moonlight wagon walks to look at Christmas lights.

 bringing along friends. Tiger and Roo...catching a leaf or two ;)

 Watching the moon peek out from behind the trees.

 Staring and silent. Basking in the beauty of the Christmas lights.

 Lu loves to point and 'talk' to the lights. He gets really excited.

 Snuggling close with Roo.

 Happy after our short lil walk around the corner to look at lights in the cul-de-sac.

 A new tradition...Elf on the Shelf. I love this idea found here! a great way to keep Jesus at the center of it all, even with Elf on the Shelf :)

We braved a rainstorm walk to get this book. (I admit I didn't know it'd be raining cats and dogs moments after we left the house...thankfully it was a short walk to target to get it!)
What an adventure though!! We, I mean  I was laughing all the way!! The boys stayed dry under the stroller cover and I got soaked ;) Not that I minded, Love the rain and it's sweet smell! Caleb informed me when we got home "I'm coughing from the rain mom, I'll drink some water" ...pitter patter to kitchen for water..."i feel all better now mom" Glad to hear Caleb :) Lucas just watched all the rain pouring down, then tried to crawl out in it after we got home....Anyway.... Our elf's name is blocks. In case you were wondering....(Caleb named him of course)

Next up...I'd like to find a good Advent Calendar for the boys. One that has little stories or scripture to go with each day.   Here is a DIY I've found online...now If I can get out my craftastic skill...hm...
advent calendar (I like how it has different scripture to go with each day)..

otherwise this looks nice...the mini stories (I think Caleb would be super excited about the mini stories)
.story of christmas advent calendar

Any advent calendar ideas your family does?

We have a sweet nativity set the boys can set out and play with through this season (thanks aunt mary and uncle craig)...

As for the tree...I'm thinking up good ideas to prevent Lucas from getting all up in it after we put it out...any ideas?..so far I like the idea of wrapping big diaper boxes (maybe filled with rocks to weigh it down) and putting that in front of the tree as a barrier/something to distract.

I am just so excited to pull out our decorations this weekend ;) To pick out our tree..to bake our Italian Christmas cookies...I'm getting ahead of myself here, but there's so much good stuff!!

Oh yes...and the Christmas movies..I love Elf, It's A Wonderful Life, and The Nativity Story. Obviously the boys are still too young for these, but D and I can enjoy them this season :)

Lastly...I discovered this gem. I forgot all about the mini-dance party the boys (and nani and papa) had on Thanksgiving :)


Happy half way through the week Wednesday!!!

Enjoying the rain, my salt city Christmas candle, and the warm scent of soup filling up the kitchen :)

What are some of your Christmas Traditions?