Traditions Are Worth The Work

Today after work/school, we went over to Mom & Dad’s house to eat dinner.  Autumn’s tooth is looking so loose that I asked Dad if he could try and pull it out so she doesn’t accidentally swallow it.  I thought she would scream & cry but she just sat there and let him try pulling on it a few times.  We thought he got it, but the front of the tooth isn’t loose enough yet so we’ll wait a few days and try again.  I was really impressed w/ how well Autumn handled it.

After dinner we came home and there were 2 packages in the mail for Autumn Bottom from Jason, Nicole & Khloe.  The big red one in the back is for Christmas Day and the others are 12 Days of Christmas.  I know it’s too early for 12 Days of Christmas, but there was no way I was going to talk Autumn into waiting to open one gift.  So, I let her open one and she was so happy and excited.

After that, it was time to put up the tree & decorate it.  After the tree was done, we put together our  new Thomas the Train track.  It’s such a cute train, and I’m glad Mom gave it to us.  She had originally bought it to put around their tree, but it was too small to go around their tree.  And, Andrew already has one so we got to inherit this one and it’s perfect.  It’s kid friendly so I don’t have to worry about Autumn touching it & breaking it.  There are 3 different “scenes” that the train goes through and each scene required 3 batteries, plus the train needs one.  So, that is why Nick is holding up those 3 remotes, b/c we had to borrow some batteries from the remotes to make it work.

I like this picture of Autumn sitting next to the tree in her Christmas tutu that Heather made for her a few years ago.  I also love how you can see the reflection of the tree lights on the wood floor.

She had a blast playing w/ the train and this moment I was able to capture just melts my heart.  This is going to be the best Christmas together we’ve had so far b/c she’s old enough to really get it, yet she’s still so sweet & innocent.  I always make sure to ask her what we are celebrating at Christmas so that we don’t lose sight of what’s important.  When we were decorating the tree tonight we talked about the stars and how they represent the new star that showed the shepherds & wisemen where to find Baby Jesus. 

I was saying to Mom the other day how I don’t do all the cool decorating that she used to do when we were little b/c I’m lazy & Autumn’s too young to remember anyways.  However, after putting up the tree tonight I have seen the error of my ways.  Even though the traditions are a lot of work, they are SO worth it b/c of the memories they create.  And maybe Autumn won’t remember them when she’s older, but I will, and I get the chance to document those moments and memories so she can look back on them years from now.

I am so thankful that Mom always made (and still does) the holidays so special, and now that I’m a Mom myself I appreciate it so much more.  I am beginning to realize how much effort goes into making those traditions memorable, which makes me love her more than ever.  I’m blessed beyond measure b/c I have an amazing mother & I have the opportunity to be and do the same for Autumn.