traditions

I gotta admit, I get a little stressed every year, this time of year.

And maybe not why you'd expect.

Sure, there are a zillion presents to buy and wrap.

4,237 cookies to bake.

62 events to attend.

39 craft projects to do.

6 trillion Christmas cards to address

Etc...

It's not those things that stress me.  I love to do those things.

And I look forward to them every year.

I get stressed making sure Ellie has good memories of Christmas.

Isn't that silly?

But it dawned on me her first Christmas.

I am it. 

 It is up to me to pass on the traditions my mother started with me.

No one else it going to do it.

And it just seems so important.

It's a fine line from a good Christmas to an overwhelming Christmas.

So we try and stick to the basics.

A cookie baking day.

Benjamin Mistletoe (who is a HUGE hit this year, more to come).

Christmas jammies.

A few crafts to give as presents.

A few holiday themed outings.

A visit to Santa.

Watching a few Christmas movies.

Lots of hot cocoa in the Santa mug.

Cuddles under the tree.

A drive around the neighborhood looking at lights.

And maybe this year, my favorite tradition.

When I was little, once a year, every year, Mom and I would take a walk in the dark when it was snowing.

We wouldn't go far. 

Maybe around the block.

Or sometimes to Linda's and back.

But I loved it, and loved my mom a little bit more on those nights.

Have you ever done that?

Taken a dark snowy walk?

You should.

It is the epitome of peaceful.

I know she will have good memories, cause I totally rock as a mom.

Ha!

So why do I worry?