I’m big on tradition. Whether it’s a new one or an old one, I like the comfortable feeling of being able to rely on tradition. The kids each open up one present on Christmas Eve, a tradition carried over from my own childhood, and it’s always pajamas to wear that night. We celebrate Chinese New Year. We have a New Years’ Eve seafood feast every year. The Rainbow Cake End of School/Back to School tradition was born this year. Tradition. Love it.
One of our Halloween traditions is the Trick of Treat bag I made years ago when Nick was two years old. Every year, I write what his Halloween costume is, and the year. Since he learned how to write his name, he has also signed it. I love that he carries something special like this for trick-or-treating and it’s a fun trip down memory lane when we dig it out each year. This year, he had a hard time deciding what to dress up as, torn between two choices, so he will be a soccer playing vampire.
Today I bought Madeline her bag so she can carry her own memory-filled trick-or-treat bag. She has a very “large and in charge,” bustling walk, and I can just picture her marching up to front doors on Saturday, trick or treating with the big kids. This is the perfect picture to show off her walk. Given her sweet tooth, she will be in all her glory come Halloween. And then some.
Tonight is also the night before the kids’ Halloween celebrations at school, so our kitchen was awash with preparations for tomorrow. The other Class Mom and I got together to get ready, making pumpkin shaped, colorfully sprinkled Halloween cookies. They went in a clear plastic treat bag with a Halloween-decorated pencil for each kid in Nick’s class. Then we baked up a batch of Pumpkin Apple Chocolate Chip muffins for a breakfast party in the morning for the kids. They’re not allowed to have an all-out official party, since they are also doing Trunk or Treating in the afternoon, but we managed to finagle a small little party in the morning when school starts, with homemade muffins and fresh fruit.
Come Saturday night, after the kids are fast asleep from a day full of fun activities, one last Halloween tradition rounds out the night. Before bedtime, we go through all the Halloween candy and just pick out our favorites to keep. The rest goes out on the dining room table for the Halloween Fairy. A close cousin of the Tooth Fairy, she comes in the middle of the night in super sleuth mode and takes away the candy and leaves a small present behind. Yet another favorite tradition. This is what the Halloween Fairy will be leaving Nick, and this one is for Madeline.
‘Tis a good time to be a kid. Indeed.
P.S. A very big happy birthday to our dear friend, Chris. I’ve known him for some 13+ years, and love him in spite of his penchant for fine dining on tater tots! Happy, happy birthday!!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post! It gives me some great ideas for traditions to start with Evan now that he’s old enough (2) to start to understand.
I enjoyed reading about your traditions. Enjoy your fun weekend!
This is a great post. I am a stickler for traditions as well and still hold on to many of my childhood ones. I really love yours. It sounds like you and the kids will have a great Halloween!
I love traditions as well. What a fun memory for your kids to have that treat bag. They will enjoy looking back at it years down the road.
I love your traditions! They are such fun and creative ideas. I wish I could be a kid in your household. :-) You are so involved with your children and seem to somehow balance the hassles of being a grownup with the joys of being a parent. I’m not a mom (yet…), but you still inspire me everyday and remind me that life is what you make of it and we all need to take time out to enjoy the little things – because in the end – they are the memories that we end up cherishing the most.
Those cookie goodies are SO cute! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Enjoy!
This is a great posts on traditions. I have so many wonderful memories of when I was growing up and will certainly be passing the traditions along!
Liked the post. It’s great that you’re such a loving mom. Your kids will have many many happy memories.
Thanks for the b day shout out. luv ya too.
hope everyone has a GREAT Halloween.
i am off to Wisconsin for the weekend. :)
She does look like a woman on a mission! Love your “halloween fairy” idea…get rid of all that extra candy and give something good (like a book!)…great idea!
What a great tradition! : ) Here’s to hoping they never grow out of it!!!
What a really neat idea. I’m a sucker for tradition, too!
Super idea! I bet a lot of mothers will start this tradition with their young ones today!
Perfect. I am doing that next year. I wish I had known about it before.
I never cared about traditions as much as I do now that I have a daughter.
I love traditions, too. I wish I had thought of the Halloween bag years ago.