Traditions

I blame it on my Dad.  And Chevy Chase.  I get so geeked up at Christmas it's laughable.  I am one of those people that will turn on the radio station that plays Christmas music 24/7 before Thanksgiving.  I am also one of those people that is very big on tradition.  Sometimes I feel sad that we do not celebrate Christmas in Sterling anymore and my grandma is not around to be with us, but I know that lives change and we just have to make new traditions! 
So of course with a new baby, we're already starting new traditions- or CJ just becomes a part of old ones.  Every year one weeknight in December, the Leesburg fire company drives one of the trucks around the neighborhoods with Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph waving to everyone standing out in the cold waiting for them.  We all waited in the living room until we finally started hearing the sirens get louder...

We waited outside with our neighbors and I am embarrassed to admit that I got choked up when that truck came by!  Even though CJ has no idea what is going on this year- having a child still adds a whole new dimension! 
This past Saturday we had 3 parties to go to and CJ did great.  I made sure that he still got his naps, and he made it until 10:00 before a meltdown.  Such a proud mommy of a party animal!  One of the parties we went to was something that I've done almost every year since 1998- and that his watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with my VA PepBand friends.  CJ was pretty into it for at least the first half-

We also have bought one of those "Elf on the Shelf" kits this year.  From what I understand, you name your elf, and set him in different places around the house during the season to show your children that he's "watching" you.  I know some people who think it's more creepy than cute.  Not to mention it's similarity to Big Brother.  I think it's a cute idea which doesn't have to be menacing.  We haven't picked a name for our elf yet- I know Kevin would like Squeedabo but I think it might be just a little TOO ridiculous. 

One of Kevin's favorite traditions is having an advent calendar every year- you know the cardboard ones that have the crappy pieces of candy?  I decided to get him one that we can use every year, and I fill it with different types of candy.  Maybe some year he will let CJ open the doors and eat the candy!