Christmas has become my favorite holiday since we’ve had kiddos.
It just seems so much more magical and joyous seeing Christmas through their eyes.
I also have loved creating traditions as a new and growing family and even carrying on traditions from our own upbringings.
This December I decided to lay aside a few traditions and we did the traditions that felt effortless and fun, but not an ounce overwhelming. In years past, I found myself to caught up and overwhelmed by too many activities. My deciding factor was the moment I found myself upset, even annoyed, with my kids because of an activity advent calendar we set up that wasn’t going as “planned”. And if we didn’t do one days’ activity, I felt like I was failing.
It was ridiculous. I may pick it back up as they grow older, or maybe not.
More than anything, I want the holidays to be filled with joyous memories, not memories of momma flippin’ out (I already do enough of that :))
One of those we did keep this year was our Christmas Eve tradition of new jammies, a new book and a new game. We get dressed, drive around to see christmas lights, and then come back home for our new story, game and hot cocoa! Here are photos from that evening:
What made this Christmas especially exciting was the pink jammy’d girly pictured. Ever’s first Christmas!
Reality struck as quickly as the camera clicks. :)
Looking back over the years… I am in awe of Chase’s lankiness now and how quickly Shailo’s baby-boy look turned big-boy.
And my oh my, please note how {adored} Ev is by her brothers!