Creating Traditions

When I first became a Mom I was so excited and obsessed with starting traditions in my own family.  I thought I would create some amazing happy memories with my own kids and I was over the top excited especially about the holidays!

Soon I came to realize that little kids can't really help with a lot of the ideas I have like decorating, making pumpkin pie from scratch, and even down to carving pumpkins, all the work came down on me as soon as they realized that their hands were going to get goopy!  Now traditions went from fun to work for me.

As the holidays approached this year I almost started to dread having to do this work since now I have three children including a 7 month old who NEVER wants to be put down!

In the store one day Connor pointed out the pie pumpkins and said, oh Mom!  We need to make pumpkin pie.  Reluctantly I grabbed three pumpkins for them (only 70 cents) and put them in the cart.  I couldn't believe he even remembered.  Usually he doesn't even participate in making the pies.

The day finally came where I had to either make the pie or the pumpkins were going to rot.  Connor was overjoyed when I asked him to come help me.  Soon I realized a 6 year old is actually helpful more than a hindrance   After I got the pumpkins opened he scooped the goop out no problem!  He placed the seeds in a bowl of salt water and was really excited to try baked pumpkin seeds.  Soon the pies were done, and I realized...wow...I'm so glad I started these traditions when they were young because now they are getting easier and it's something they will remember from when they were really small.

I had to remind myself when we went to the pumpkin patch this year.  I went without Brian, drove 60 miles round trip so they could pick a pumpkin out of the patch.  By the end I was holding Maya and hauling over 80 pounds of pumpkin and Aaron in a radio flyer over rough dirt terrain.  But hey...It made for good Christmas card pictures and I have to keep reminding myself, in a few short years it won't be so hard.  Traditions and memories are worth the pain!