New Traditions

Traditions - what a word. It can bring comfort and joy at the expectation of something that always happens, or it can do just the opposite. I've always loved traditions - the Easter egg hunt at Easter, dressing up for Halloween, roasting marshmallows while camping, going to the beach and eating fish and chips, turkey at Thanksgiving, and buying a beautiful scented Christmas tree every year. As our kids get older new traditions are evolving, especially at this time of year- lighting candles for advent to remind them and us that Christmas is about Christ's birth, buying them each a new decoration every year and a new one for this year - each night each of our kids opens up an advent box filled with either just a candy or a candy and something to do with advent. Some traditions carry on from childhood -each child receiving English chocolate in their stocking, opening presents Christmas morning, going on the Stanley park train. We started going on the train when we started dating, and have carried it on since. Of course now we're married and have three kids to bring along, which makes it a lot more fun. We've also added friends to the equation. For the last four years we've had a great time going with our friends the Janssens. We go to the Spaghetti factory for dinner and then head to the train. This year was fantastic - with 5 kids (one was missing at dinner) we were actually able to visit at dinner time and then we went to the train. All the kids were so great waiting for the ride (not that we ever seem to have to wait long) and had a great time on the train. Christian wasn't that fascinated by the lights -he was more fascinated by the engine. Once I got in his way and he told me off once I had moved back into my seat. The other two loved the lights. They all loved the petting zoo. We finished the night off with some yummy popcorn. Yep, traditions are good as long as they are guidelines and not the "rule". A few years ago I didn't see the need for traditions to change but as my family grows they have to - our trip to the train wouldn't be as much fun or doable if we did it the exact same way as when we were dating. Thanks Janssens for being a part of this tradition for this year and the previous three -we'll see what next year holds - you may want to venture out on your own once number four comes along!:) When blogger lets me I'll post the pics.