Our Family Traditions

Family traditions, especially around the holidays, are very important to me. We didn't have consistent traditions when I was a child. The only one we had was the one I disliked the most. We would get up Christmas morning, get all dressed up, and go to Mass. Then we would come back home, have breakfast, wait an eternity for my dad to set the camera up, and finally open presents. It wasn't fun...it was torture...and I couldn't stand it.

So now that I have my own family, and 4 kids, I always vowed I would never do that. I wanted to get up at the crack of dawn (well...maybe not that early), and open presents in our pajamas. And every year, we have some things that don't change. Here's the Reisinger list of must-do's for Christmas:

1. The weekend before Christmas, we drive around to look at all the lights. Our neighbor Minnie brought over a big tin of gourmet popcorn for the kids today (yum!). So they all got a bag to munch on in the van while we drove around. We make sure to hit Prestonwood Forest, a local neighborhood famous for their holiday lights. I think some of these people are really nuts, because some of the streets have themes, there's a subdivision contest...you get the idea. Here's a pic of a house off the street that won "Best Block" this year; the theme was all patriotic and Texas decorations.

I didn't get a pic of the best house...sorry. But let me tell you, it was impressive. The next door neighbor had maybe 2 small decorations and one string of lights on his house. I know how you feel buddy...I wouldn't even try to compete either.

2. I always make cookies. This year, I'm making sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and one new recipe, called Chocolate Candy Canes. You'll have to check out my cooking blog for the recipes! Oh, and a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake--which you can also find on my cooking blog. (I haven't posted any of these recipes yet; they'll be up in the next couple of days).

3. Santa comes to visit the Bank of American tower downtown every year. We always go (unless the kids have school), and we get a picture of the kids on Santa's lap. It's great...no lines, free picture, a candy cane, and lunch with Daddy afterwards. The kids love it :-). Gabriel wasn't so sure about sitting with Santa at first, but we bribed him with a candy cane, and he was good to go.

4. We always go to Mass at 4PM, and this year, both the girls will be singing in the Children's Choir. I can't wait...they love to sing, and have been practicing every time we're in the van. Need I say more?

5. After Mass, the plan is to come home, have homemade pizza for dinner (yes, the kids requested it, and yes, I caved and said, "Sure, why not?"). The kids are allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, and they've already decided which one they're going to tear into. I'm also hoping to do the Christmas Scavenger Hunt that night (see previous post).

6. Last year, the kid watched, "The Polar Express" on Christmas Eve, and I served hot chocolate (only Rebecca drank hers) and cookies. They want to do it again this year, so now it's officially a tradition.

7. Christmas morning. The kids are always up before we're ready...which means "early," as in before 7AM. They go right for their stockings, and empty those out first. Before we can even catch our breath, they grab all their presents, stake out a spot in the living room, and then the fun starts. We all take turns, and it just gets louder and louder, while the pile of wrapping paper gets bigger and bigger. We stay in our jammies until 12 or 1PM in the afternoon. I love it...it's exactly what I want Christmas morning to be like.

This year, I finally got smart (imagine that!). I typed out an extensive list on the computer of what all the kids were getting and who gave what to them. (David's family is really nice about letting me know in advance so we don't buy duplicate gifts). So this year...I get to sit back, and watch. No more writing everything down frantically so we can write the thank you cards properly later on. Yeah!!! (Why in heaven's name didn't I think of this before?)

8. We usually have some type of breakfast after all the presents are opened, and David takes charge of the kitchen (about the only day I will let him!). My guess is this year it will be waffles and sausage. And cookies...and chocolate popcorn...

9. I don't make lunch on Christmas Day because we have breakfast late, and the kids are so busy with all their new toys, they're not interested in eating anyway. So I make things to graze on over the course of the afternoon; this year's menu will include pigs in a blanket (Joshua's favorite), veggie pizza, shrimp cocktail (David's favorite), and fried cheese sticks (Rebecca's favorite, and Mommy's too!). A few more cookies and chocolate popcorn makes a well-rounded meal, right?

I think that's it...I will have to write a post on Christmas Day just so I can see how we fared!