Tradition...tradition!!

Many family traditions come along with the Christmas season.  One of our traditions is the advent calendar.  We've had our magnetic advent calendar since Owen was just one year old.  It has small doors that hold different magnets to decorate a nativity scene.  The boys enjoy opening a new door each day of December and making their very own nativity scene.

Another tradition that was started last year by Nana Dineen is the Advent Treasure Chest.  She used to give the boys an advent calendar with chocolates hidden behind each door, but now that they are dairy-free they couldn't eat the milk chocolates any more.  So Great Nana Dineen, along with her helpers (Aunt Donna, Uncle Jason and Nana Judy) put together a treasure chest filled with fun bags that are numbered for each day of December.  The boys take turns opening a bag each day and sharing the treasures inside.  They love the treasure chest and look forward to opening it first thing every morning.

Picking out the bag of the day

"Yay! Money!"

The other tradition that also starts on December 1st is the arrival of the elf.  I thought he came later in the month, so I'm glad Owen reminded me that the elf arrives on the 1st!  Our elf is named Elfy.  Owen tells Elfy his Christmas wish list so that he can let Santa know exactly what Owen wants for Christmas.  Elfy travels back to the North Pole every night to report all the kids' good deeds to Santa Claus.  When he returns the next day, he's almost always in a new location.  There were a few nights Elfy didn't move.  We figured he just really liked that particular spot.  Elfy is a great listener, but whatever you do, do NOT touch Elfy or he'll lose all his magic and won't be able to fly back to the North Pole.  The boys loved looking for Elfy every morning.  He sure found some interesting places to hang out!  The night before Christmas, we bid Elfy a fond farewell and see you next year!  Cole was so sad to hear that Elfy would be gone the next morning that he couldn't hold back the tears.   He sure was going to miss his friend Elfy!

On December 7th, we celebrate El Dia de las Velitas (the day of the candles).  On this day in Colombia, people across the country light candles to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.  In our household, we make paper lanterns to set on our window sills.  The boys got creative with their lanterns, cutting out and drawing wonderful designs.  Our battery operated candles fit into them perfectly and lit up our window beautifully.

Of course our few little candles are nothing in comparison to the celebration in Colombia.  Hopefully someday we can celebrate El Dia de las Velitas in Colombia!

Plaza Simon Bolivar in Bogota covered in candles

After lighting the lanterns, we began a new tradition for us this year - opening presents early.  The boys especially loved this new tradition!  Christmas is always a bit overwhelming with too many gifts, so we saved a couple gifts for the big day and opened the rest each weekend leading up to Christmas.  The first gift was a huge hit - a new book for Cole and an aquarium night light for Owen.

When the next weekend arrived, the boys eagerly ripped open their gifts to find a couple new shirts.  Cole loved his new clothes, but Owen's initial reaction wasn't too appreciative since he was expecting a toy.  So we had a long conversation about how some gifts are things we want and others are things we need.

Once he settled down, he admitted that he really liked his gift.  And a week later after the shirts were washed and hanging in his closet, he came down happily wearing one of them.  He sure looks good in orange.