A new tradition...

Yesterday I had no intentions of going anywhere- I really just wanted to stay home and hang around. I got this idea for Christmas and decided I better go ahead and get it done while Brian was home with the kids and I could get out and get back faster.

So in the midst of my errand running was a stop at Barnes and Noble- I went with the intention of buying for someone else. I love the kids section there, although I am not a regular ( I tend to favor Amazon- I'm obsessed!), I find it very cozy and inviting and I love to just peruse the shelves and see what I can find for Riley. We have started a routine many months ago with her at bedtime to read her a story every night just before she climbs in- whatver she chooses. She loves stories. So as I am looking for what I originally intended to buy, I decided to check out the kids section.

I have been wanting to start a tradition of our own with our kids. Now that she is getting older and understanding more, she is beginning to understand who Santa is and say his name when she sees him. I really wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I happened to find this:

I debated between the different editions as I stood there analyzing a few different ones... I chose this one mainly because of the better illustrations and images that it had.

I figured this could be one of maybe many traditions that we start. As a kid I always got to open one present on Christmas Eve and always left cookies and milk for Santa. Brian grew up watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and it's now one of his favorites..I had never seen it until I met him (I know, I can hear you all gasping) and now it has become something we always do together. So that will be another tradition for us with our kids.

I have always loved this story and wanted to make it a permanent in our house on Christmas Eve as we tucked our kids into bed.

It is when you have your own kids that starting traditions of your own really means alot. This is one that I am starting for them that I hope they will enjoy. I am going to wrap it up for Riley this year as an early Christmas gift and let her open it on Christmas Eve after church and make sure that this is one of those "special" books she will always have.

This year as Christmas nears, we are so thankful and reminded of how blessed we are.