Tradition.

Evan's parents were here over Thanksgiving weekend. Elisabeth was so excited to have family to share a holiday with. They were only here for a few days (which flew by so fast), but we tried to pack in as much fun as we could.

But, there had to be ornament making. It's a Christmas tradition.

My mother-in-law started it when Elisabeth was 1. Jana'd been helping a class at the school she works for make ornaments where the students painted their hands and then held onto an ornament ball. The then turned the handprints into snowmen. Jana liked the idea and decided to have Elisabeth do it too, and then passed them out as Christmas gifts.

We've done it every year since. Ethan, Julia and now Owen (it's his first year participating!) hands are all over my Christmas tree. This year, we had to find ornaments big enough for Elisabeth's hands to fit on. That was kind of a reality check.

Elisabeth can paint her own hands now. She is 8, you know.

Last year, we were certain Julia would not be too happy about the painting of the hands, but it turned out she loved it. She kept telling us it tickled and just stared in wonder at the whole process.


It's just the beginning of Christmas traditions around here! And one of the best things is that, it's all new again for Julia. She doesn't remember last year, so she's so excited about everything we're doing. Putting up Christmas decorations and decorating the tree. She's even learning some of the songs. She sings a mean "Jingle Bells".

Next up? Cookie making!!!