I just wanted to post a note of thanks to that wonderful someone who started one of our family's favorite Christmas traditions, the Christmas books. All year long these books are tucked away and I wish you could see how excited the kids are when they get to open the box of wrapped books all ready to unwrap. It's the beginning of a countdown to Christmas, beginning December 1st (we always start then knowing that we'll inevitably miss a day here or there).
This year Annalee actually tried to smuggle away one of the books after it had been unwrapped from it's place (the Christmas book basket and bin) hiding it in a towel as she was on her way into the car. "These are the most special books we ever get to read!" was her explanation.
Our rule is that these books never leave the room where the Christmas tree is and they get a lot of use there in that room all throughout December besides just the reading when they're first unwrapped. The kids just love these books and love reading with us the memory of the Christmas when they were recieved. The story of "Small One" will always associate itself with the year of Sammy's accident and the "The Night Before Christmas" with it's poem in the back was the book we recieved before we even had any kids (which to the kids it's really really hard to believe that ever a time existed!). The other books all have their stories too, and that's been part of the fun, the remembering.
So thank you, so much. I know it's not easy (or cheap) to keep this tradition up and just want you to know that we appreciate this. It's something that has woven itself into a loved tradition here at our house.
