Holiday highlights.

We are finally coming down from the holiday high of Christmas parties, gifts, vacation, sweets, and music. The good/bad thing about the holidays with a three year old is that Christmas isn't over just because the calendar says December 26. The music and books continue well into January, and with every person we see in public with a white beard, Everett tugs on my arm and says, "Mom, I have a secret to tell you," and then he whispers in my ear so seriously, "Do you think that is Santa?"

Really though, Christmas with a three year old has got to be the best. I remember growing up as a kid and inevitably as one gets older, some of that sense of magic that comes with the Christmas season is lost, and what a gift it is to be able to live that again as a parent.  This was the first year where it felt like our traditions really mattered and meant something, because of the way Everett was able to participate. He was excited about every tradition we tried out this year:

• Listening to Christmas records and having a dance party.
• Opening our first present the weekend after Thanksgiving, matching pajamas. 
• Decorating the tree and the living room.
• Reading the Grinch and watching the cartoon. 
• Reading the Polar Express and watching the movie. Making hot chocolate to go along with it. 
• Baking and frosting cookies for Santa. 
• Going to see the Christmas lights some place special. 
• A walk through our neighborhood to see Christmas lights. 
• Making red and green play dough and playing with Christmas cookie cutters.
• Watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
• Going to Sea World to visit Santa.
• Having Everett pick out a present for Cambria at the toy store. 
• Having Everett create homemade presents and wrapping paper for the grandparents. 
• Building a gingerbread house. 

Making Christmas presents for the grandparents:

Using his strong muscles to make cookies:

First pigtails ever:

Sea World to visit Santa:

Maybe one day I won't be in the Santa photo with my children, but for now, I have two kids who are too frightened to sit with Santa. When I really think about it, I'm not too disappointed that my children won't willingly sit in a strange old man's lap; it's probably a good thing that they feel anxious about such a thing.

Making red and green play dough:

Christmas morning: