Christian's 8th Birthday

With it being Christian's b-day, I thought I should write a few important details of him @ 8 yrs. old...

He is growing - even though his dad thinks differently. We went for his physical with Dr. Omar and he said he was in great health. He weights 50 lbs and 47 7/8 inches tall.

Christian loves to play with Caleb. They are always together playing football, soccer, etc. Today it was remote control cars. They also love football and pokemon cards.

Christian hates to brush his teeth and hang up his coat. But he loves to read and play PS2. He is also into string tricks that Mrs. Holbrook, the school librarian, has taught him.

His Grandpa and Grandma have been here for Christmas and his birthday. His Grandpa has sure brought out his natural laugh. As his mom, I always feel I need to find ways to make him laugh. Grandpa is good at it, and it just come naturally.

Christmas Traditions

On Christmas Eve, we had the most traditions. We would have an amazing dinner by candlelight, using the Santa placemats. We would always act out the Christmas story with Dad as the narrator.We also opened one present, which was always pajamas.
We always went to Grandpa and Grandma Johnson's house on Christmas Day. Also to Grandpa and Grandma Burton's house. We would see our cousins and that was always fun.
Every Christmas morning I would call my best friend, Sandee to see what Santa brought her. We did this every Christmas until we were in high school. I would always get dressed in my new Christmas outfit and spend the day at her house. I always remember that.....
Mom would have us lay all our new stuff on our bed and take a picture of it.....we also would have something warm for breakfast like cinnamon rolls and there was always egg nog. I love egg nog...

Now that I live "out of state" with my little family of 5. I feel that I need to start some traditions of our own. One tradition we have is to decorate the tree with the kids and the "memory" ornaments. All of the ornaments that have a story to tell. The kids love it and get so excited to see all of their favorite ornaments again. We have ornaments from when Craig and I were little, to Christian's kindergarten ornament, and the girls' "baby's first Christmas" ornaments. Grandma Garner always gives us an ornament each year and the kids squeal with delight when they find their favorite one...I love to see my two ornaments given to me after my Grandma Burton passed away...they remind me of her....

I would like a few more Christmas traditions to start this year...if you have any ideas, please comment...
**This is a picture of my mom holding Kara and I in front of my Grandma Johnson's christmas tree.

Childhood Christmas Memories

This was my favorite toy from Santa. I loved bouncing as hard and as fast as I could on this spring horse. I have so many vivid Christmas memories: handmade cradles for my favorite dolls; peering down the stairs and seeing a banana-seat bicycle; heavenly kids (wanna-be Cabbage Patch Kids); and so many others.

As a parent now, I want to also create that magical feeling of Santa for my kids. I want them to feel like I did so many times...not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve; falling asleep to the sound of Christmas music playing in the family room; waking up way too early and having to watch the clock slowly pass each hour until at least 6: 00 am! I hope that I can create the magic this year and for years to come...
I also love family Christmas traditions! Tomorrow I will make a list of the traditions that we have and also the traditions that I want to start!