Traditions

Last night City Dad, Jack and I had the inaugural night of our " Friday movie night" tradition. We ordered pizza, Jack got in his pj's early, and we watched Polar Express, which Jack absolutely loved, being a train fanatic. We lit a fire, chatted about the day, and relaxed. It seems, to us, to make sense as a way to wind down the week, and Jack is already looking forward to our next movie night, in 2 weeks since Halloween is this coming week.

It made me think about the other traditions we have already started in our family, and about the ones we both had as kids. The repeated routine of the same fun activity with your family seems to be key in memories, and in establishing values, and close family ties.

We have, for instance, started another tradition that the Saturday before Christmas Eve we have both sets of grandparents over for a Christmas get together. We go out to a restaurant, come back for dessert, and Jack gets Christmas Eve gifts of pj's and books. All of our family lives in Ottawa, and we are close; however, Jack does not see both sets together that often, and he enjoys seeing them all together.

In my family, growing up, we had a Friday night movie night, which was a great break and always cause for discussion. As we got older, I swear sometimes it took hours to decide which movies to rent, since my brother is the world's most detailed movie critic. I look back on these times and am thankful.

City Dad's family had a tradition of going camping in a trailer every Summer on long road adventures. When he and his family get together, they always have funny stories about driving the trailer down Yonge Street in Toronto, or celebrating a birthday on the road. We hope to start camping this summer with Jack.

Carrying on, in your own way, traditions from the past, is a way to continue your family's unique heritage.

What are some other traditions people have? I would love to hear some other family's ideas.

Until next time,

Mom and the City