Where Are You Christmas?

When I was little, I absolutely loved Christmas. I loved all of the lights, the presents topped with bows, indulging my sweet tooth with cookies and candy. I would spend weeks writing my Christmas list. Making sure I didn't forget a dress or a doll I desperately needed. Christmas Eve was my favorite. My brother, Paul, and I would stay up as late as we could and talk about what we thought (or knew sometimes) we were getting. Bright and early we would rise and race downstairs to a pile of presents.

But one year, everything changed. I was 16 and my family and I had enjoyed a great Christmas together. The next day, I went to the mall with my best friend. The common theme of conversation amongst all of our friends was, "what did you get for Christmas?" I realized that I really didn't know how to answer that question. Sure, I could just say I got the clothes and boots I had wanted, but it felt weird talking about what I got. It didn't feel right. It felt icky. And that same icky feeling followed me through every other Christmas. Suddenly it felt strange making a Christmas list. I felt awkward getting what I wanted. And I continued to dread that question- "what did you get for Christmas?" I wanted to go back to the lights and bows and candy canes.

I got my love for Christmas back after I had kids. It seemed like the more kids I had, the more I loved Christmas. Because I got to see the joy that I had lost through the eyes of my children. Lights seemed brighter, cookies tasted sweeter, and the thrill of seeing them open a new doll or legos on Christmas morning was a welcome friend.

I've been playing Christmas music for the past 2 months. Our Christmas tree is up, presents are wrapped and under the tree. But that icky feeling is creeping in. I've been feeling this pressure to get my kids an enormous amount of presents. Whatever they want, I want to give it to them. We're no different than most people these days, and money is tight. Realistically, I can only get them one special present a piece (along with the things they always get like books and new shoes.) So I started to think about what my favorite present was when I was their age. And it hit me- the expensive doll I just had to have has long since been donated to good will. The clothes, the shoes have been sold at garage sales years ago. It really didn't matter what I got for Christmas. The joy I found in Christmas, the sheer bliss of lights and snow and hot chocolate, was all wrapped up in the memories. I can't remember what my Christmas presents were every year, but what I do remember is sitting on the living room floor with my mom singing Christmas carols. I remember decorating gingerbread houses and acting out the story of baby Jesus with our friends, the Morgans. That's why I loved Christmas. I've underestimated the simplicity of Christmas and replaced it with the ickiness of presents and things. So this Christmas I'm focusing on the things that don't get thrown away or lost or donated. I'm focusing on the birth of Christ, making gingerbread houses with my kids, warming my toes by a crackling fire. Those precious memories are something no amount of money can buy. And that's when Christmas comes and shines bright- replacing the wants and needs with Joy.

Pumpkin Party

The Pumpkin Party was actually the start of our traditional parties. I remember after I had Zeke (five years ago!), I got really domestic. I guess having four kids made my homemaker skills kick into gear. My ability to cook finally coincided with my love to cook. I found out that It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown was going to be on tv, so I decided to have a little pumpkin party for the kids before we watched it.

That first year, I made lobster chowder and pumpkin cookies. I got tiny, little pumpkins and the three older kids colored them with markers and glued an enormous amount of googly eyes on them. Nate made homemade popcorn and I laid a sheet on our hardwood floor. We all snuggled together and ate popcorn and watched our very first pumpkin party Charlie Brown show.

It's funny how when you start a tradition, if you stop and think about it, the details of the very first time are strikingly vivid. My young family, creating memories on a crisp Autumn day in our little house in Ohio. I'm sure some Pumpkin Parties will be more memorable than others, but each one has always been so much fun. This is one tradition I hope passes down in the Watson family.

Even Daddy painted a pumpkin!

Gabs and Ivan Thomas.

Of course the wild Z man took his shirt off!

Concentrating...

Gabs making her pumpkin "FiFi".

Who knew painting pumpkins could be so funny?! (:

They indulged me by taking this picture. I was channeling my inner Linda Morgan!!!

This has to be one of my favorite pictures ever. Look at Aylah's face!!!

This is the best beef stew ever. Let me know if you want the recipe. It will seriously change your life!

Finally time for Charlie Brown. It's so weird to see five kids sitting there, when our first Pumpkin Party was only four little babies.

Traditions

 It's always interesting to me when a new tradition is created. I'm a big fan of traditions. I love telling the kids, "in a few weeks we'll be doing this tradition." They get so excited, and of course, memories are made every time.

Last year I started a new tradition- our Halloween Party. I'm actually not a huge fan of Halloween. I know, crazy, right? But it kind of stresses me out having the kids walk around in the street in the dark (we don't have sidewalks) and then the candy aftermath- yeah, the candy alone makes me not like Halloween. But last year I decided to make some spooky food to eat before trick or treating. And thus the Halloween Party tradition began.

This year was especially fun because I was able to find all kinds of fun ideas on Pinterest and I've gotten pretty good at time management. I did wait until the day of Halloween to make my menu and go shopping (procrastination dies hard), but I was able to get everything completely and totally done in time for everyone to enjoy themselves and have time to get their costumes on.

Usually we have a traditional Pumpkin Party before the Halloween Party, but since It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown came on tv the night of Halloween, we'll be doing the Pumpkin Party tonight. I always feel like those parties are the kick off to the fun traditions we have this busy time of year! (:

I love, love, love cooking food for parties. An afternoon in the kitchen is my idea of a good time.

Gabs isn't so sure about the "gholuish punch."

Mummy pizza.

Mummy cookie pops. These were a huge hit and so easy to make!

Gabs looking at the yummy veggies!

They decided to call the punch "monster blood" instead.

Z man!

Goofy Malachi.

Tasty!

All fueled up and ready to trick or treat!

Even Micah likes the Mummy Pizza!!!