"In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit."
MARGE KENNEDY
One of our traditions that our entire family helps to create each new year is our family bonfire. This very simple tradition is right up there with Halloween and Christmas for the grands! This year the grands started asking when it would be well before Christmas.
The mom that shuttled six of the cousins home from school on the day of the scheduled bonfire reported that the excitement in the car about the bonfire that night was just crazy!
This loved tradition only requires an evening that works for all of the families, our Christmas trees for burning, a big pot of hot chocolate, a few dozen donuts, our outdoor chairs, matches, and some very watchful adult eyes.
The cousins stopped the cars as they arrived to give
them handmade tickets that they had made on their own
for everyone attending and they also directed the cars on
where to drop off their trees and where to park.
Once everyone arrives it is time to light the bonfire.
It is always scary to be reminded just how
flammable dry Christmas trees are.
With ten cousins in attendance it is a whirlwind of activity
that requires very close adult supervision.
This tradition is mostly just a commitment of time.
The payoff is quite simply the treasured memories that
are shared between the generations!
You are certainly stocking those kids up on lots of wonderful memories to take with them through life.
ReplyDelete