Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas traditions

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the little traditions that we've begun with our kids. They are little things that Luke and Reagan are already beginning to remember and look get excited about as Christmas comes closer. Some of them involve more than just our family, like our church and school Christmas concerts and family get togethers with Grandpas & Grandmas. The kids also love decorating our Christmas tree with their very own ornaments that they receive every year. The past couple of years we've done an advent box that Grandpa & Grandma Noteboom gave the kids for Christmas one year. Every day we read a short devotional from an advent book and then open a box. There is always a figure for a hanging nativity scene that Aunt Arlene made for them last year. Some days there is a piece of our new nativity scene hidden in the living room and some days there is a note. The notes always give them a clue to find a small gift around the house. We also began a new tradition this year that a friend had told me about. I wrapped up 25 different Christmas books and each evening they take turns unwrapping a book for us to read. We've been having fun with all the different stories. It's been fun sharing these things with the kids as we get ready to celebrate Christmas!

Opening the advent box as we count down to Christmas
Reading our Christmas book. Lauren enjoys listening to the stories with the big kids. Drew would rather be off playing!
Reagan posing after Luke's school Christmas concert.
A nice shot of Luke by the decorations after his Christmas concert.
Getting ready to sing with the other Kindergatners.

2 comments:

ChrisVK said...

I LOVE that you're starting these traditions with your kids. Katelyn & Nate were just talking yesterday about traditions we have that mean so much to them and hope to keep going with their kids in the future (which seemed like it should be a LONG ways away but not so much anymore, they grow up way too fast!). Merry Christmas!!

2boys2girls2ofakind said...

Great memories,Jen....you're a great mom!