farewell old traditions, hello teen Christmas years!

This year christmas break feels a little bit different. It will continue to do this, I am sure, as my kid grows up and becomes her own person. We took down the Advent calendar because she has aged out of it. We talked about not having to go sing carols. We move the elf when little kids are coming over, but even the elf is just a traditional formality.

Stockings are still hung. Presents are wrapped with bright labels and bows. There are a few things I refuse to give up yet: walking the lights at Sinnissippi gardens, a full blown pj day with movies and snacks, and baking. The rest just doesn't bring all the feels like it used to. We have already checked off all 3 of my non negotiable winter break fun activities, so we are on the right track.

Yesterday we sat in our pjs most of the day and read books, played games, made Chex Mix, and binged Netflix. I changed from pjs to jeans for a few hours so we could head out for some indoor mini putt, but then it was right back home to fresh pjs and more lazy fun. The rest was appreciated and welcomed. Since we live so close to town, a walk to DeeDee's coffee shop for cocoa is always an easy way to support local and get some fresh air. Two little kids I know got a Grinch themed cocoa with a smile in town.

Then we pulled out the games we insist on keeping, yet never play. Sometimes, the slow lazy days are the best ones. I have some fresh snowmen in my yard, a stack of games on the table for down time, and a list of baking to get to. That sounds like a good time, if I do say so myself. Breaking away from what we knew to explore the older, more mature holiday options is actually quite nice. And I have a second set of eyes, hands, and wrapping partner now.

As weird as it is to not force her to smile next to Santa or throw glitter and oatmeal in the yard for those dang reindeer, now we are content knowing she got her turn and it's time to share that love with the younger kids. We have enough Littles in our life that we are okay with it. I will take my cocoa/pj/game day any day of the week knowing it means I am with my family and we will laugh, play, and enjoy the time together. Time for newer and better traditions. It's finally time to just sit back and watch the fun unfold naturally instead of forcing smiles, forcing myself out of bed to move the dang elf, and forcing what we "have" to do instead of what we GET to do.

Bring on the games and cocoa. Bring on the pjs. Bring on the family fun days. Farewell glitter. Farewell elf. Farewell stress of trying to make it all perfect. True perfection lies in happiness and I am a very happy, very content mama.