Traditions

My mom was always big on traditions when we were growing up. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that we were a blended family, and she and my dad wanted to make sure we built memories as a family. It gave us all something to look forward to each season and at the same time we could look back to past years and remember what we had done.

I am reminded of a tissue paper craft I once did with E. We had several sheets of colored paper which we cut into different shapes, and then glued onto waxed paper. We layered the different colors, and then put a black contruction paper frame around it. When we held it up to the light, the colors blended and overlapped, as well as stood out in contrast to each other.

My families' past is like that window of light that E and I created. Each memory is like a scrap of tissue paper. The memories might different colors for the different years, but each shape is the season or holiday that defines it- Christmas may be squares, Easter circles, or summer vacation the triangles. My parents kept that shape for us in the traditions we kept. The colors might have changed as the years went on, but what shaped our memories stayed the same.

I have been thinking about these memories as Ed and I try to shape the seasons and holidays for our own family. We too, have built traditions into our lives- apple picking, valentine breakfasts, July 4th parades, and of course the many ways we celebrate Christmas throughout the month of December. This past Saturday we decided to introduce the kids to a new tradition that I had enjoyed as a kid- the light show in Center City. We took the train down to Market East, and walked the block to the department store.
When my family used to go, it had been "Wanamaker's" now it is "Macy's". The memories came back as we entered- I knew exactly which way to go, even though it has been almost 25 years since I was last there. The place was packed, but we got a spot to watch as the lights dimmed and Julie Andrews' voice rang through the store. It amazed me that the show was exactly the same, although in the modern times of the Comcast light show in 3-D, the kids weren't as impressed or thrilled as I remember being when I saw it for the first time. We then followed the flow of the crowds up the escalators to the Dicken's Village display of The Christmas Carol .
It too, was exactly as I remembered it, although we didn't have to wait in line back then- I remember racing through the display with my siblings a couple of times as we were the only ones there. This year the crowds snaked through the display, shoulder to shoulder. The kids listened as I read the story out loud to them from the posted signs, but it felt a little rushed, and I think it may have been hard to hear with all the background noise.
The one thing that was missing was the real electric "El" in the kid's department. It used to run around the ceiling, and my sisters and brother and I would get a thrill as we rode it and looked down on our parents waiting below. I understand that it is now on display at the Please Touch Museum, but it doesn't run anymore.

We didn't linger in the city, as it was mid afternoon and K was ready for her nap. On the return trip home the kids discussed their favorite parts with us (predictably, the train ride). I don't know if this will become a yearly tradition for our family, but in sharing this part of my childhood with my children, I am sharing part of myself, part of who Papi was, and in turn, it becomes part of who they will be.

Christmas Edition '08

Christmas week was filled to the brim with activities. Warning: Long, picture laden post ahead!
The Friday before (the 19th) we made cookies together. The kids loved helping out. Even little K got to stir the flour, unwrap the kisses and help in sampling the goodies.

This past Tuesday N had a little singing presentation at school that my brother Andrew, his wife Erin, and my parents came to.


Then that night we went to a nearby neighborhood to see their Christmas display. There are all sorts of buttons to push that turn on lights and music, the kids call it the "Button House" and look forward to it each year. It was freezing cold, so we all bundled up in hats, scarves and gloves.

All day Christmas Eve the kids looked forward to opening their first present. Finally dinner was over, and they ripped into their packages-- pajamas all around, and some slippers as well!! Afterwards, Ed read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "The First Night". E wrote a letter to Santa, and set out cookies before they went up to bed.


Christmas morning I awoke at 6:15 to the pitter patter of little feet downstairs. As I got out of bed I heard running and a "whump" as someone ran to their bed and jumped in. Someone else was still downstairs as I turned the corner and saw flashes of light in the still dark room. I will never forget what I saw next- N at the bottom of the stairs, his little face upturned to mine, the flashlight clutched in his hands. He climbed the stairs toward me, saying apologetically "I was just looking..." I sternly said, "N, you were very naughty- you need to stay in bed until Mommy tells you that it is time to go downstairs", and I tucked him back in. I then turned to Ellie who was hiding under her covers and asked what they were doing. She said that N had gone downstairs and had come back up telling her,"Santa didn't get me what I wanted, but he did get me what I wanted! Come see!" And she had been at the top of the stairs when she heard me coming, and ran back to bed, leaving N to take the fall. I again told the kids they would have to wait until we told them to come down, and I then went to shower and get dressed. Finally, at 7 they were able to go down and start opening presents.

This cape was made especially for N by our next-door neighbor. It is gorgeous, made from satin and custom monogrammed. I think Ed and I like it better than N (who enjoys running around the house in it, but doesn't fully appreciate it's beauty).


After a couple of hours, we headed over to my parents to have breakfast, and then open stockings. (as usual, E was stuck to Uncle Andrew for most of his visit)


After a short nap, we headed on over to celebrate with Ed's family. We had dinner, and then the kids had a present opening extravaganza.





The day after Christmas we had dinner with my family, hung out, and opened some more presents.

K loved opening presents so much that she ran to help Omi and Papi with theirs:


We decided to get some photo groupings. Here are the grown kids: Katherine, (me), Andrew, Sandy, and Cara.
Our family, growing up:

Most of the grandchildren- the two youngest refused to be involved in any way:

So here they are separately:


We did have one more evening together, where everyone came over for pizza at our place. Although our Christmas Marathon is exhausting, it is always a fun time. I love big families and the crazy, loud, and sometimes chaotic holidays that they bring.

I can't believe it is almost Christmas! Yesterday we brought our Christmas decorations up from the basement and I felt like it shouldn't be time yet. The kids had such a great time digging throught the boxes "helping" me unpack the items, and place them around our living room. Their favorite was a snow globe that I just purchased this fall. It plays "Jingle Bells" and if you push a little button, the snow swirls around a family of snowmen. N especially likes it. He comes and finds us and drags us over to the snowglobe "Mo! Mo!" so that we can wind it up for him. He then claps his hands in joy and begins his little dance. E enjoyed looking through all of the special Christmas books we pile on the coffee table, and playing with the playmobile Christmas set. N wanted to play too, but after he pulled apart the pieces, "Uh-Oh! Boke, Boke!", we decided it was a big kid toy, and put it out of his reach.

E is definitely into the whole Christmas thing this year. She really remembers traditions from past years, and is looking forward to participating in them again. For now, she believes in Santa Claus, and so she has been considering her list, thinking over what one thing she should ask him for, because we have told her that Santa only brings one toy. Until last year she was too frightened to even sit on Santa's lap, much less request a gift. I think she has settled on asking him for a Pound Puppy. I don't know how long she will believe, this will probably be the last Christmas. It will actually be a relief for me when she figures it out, because I always feel a little guilty perpetuating the deception. She is so trusting, and does not doubt Santa's existence a bit, because we told her it is so. I just hope that when she finds out the truth she will be able to accept Santa for the fun and magic it brings to Christmas, and not feel betrayed. I think that she will like being on the other side, telling N about Santa, and being a part of the fun. Until then, she believes.