Also younger than the sun

Before I had kids I thought about traditions. I put a lot of thought into the traditions of my marriage. I wanted to be that old couple that still had a codeword for leaving a party or a particular spot to celebrate or bundles of love letters for another generation to find. I think we will be that couple. I have started focusing on family traditions with the boys. I love the idea of planting these small comforting seeds in my sons minds. I love that they might one day practice some traditions with their own kids. One tradition that we have fallen right into is Pancake Sunday. We all make pancakes and read afterwards with coffee and juice and music. It sounds so simple and it is. I think the best traditions are simple motions that just get ingrained over time because they feel so good. I don't ever want anything to come in between us and Pancake Sunday. I found a book last year that speaks to me and I wanted to share it with you. I love love love "Under The Chinaberry Tree" by Ruethling and Pitcher. I have been reading it this winter and have found many special traditions and ideas within the pages. I love this birthday poem/prayer so much. We are going to begin to read this to our boys the night before their birthdays.
A Verse for the Night Before the Birthday
When I have said my evening prayer,
And my clothes are folded on the chair,
And mother switches off the light,
I'll still be____ years old tonight.
But, from the very break of day,
Before the children rise and play,
Before the darkness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I'll be ____ years old.
_____ kisses when i wake,
_____ candles on my cake!

perfect
simple
and so
another tradition is born
here

* click on the book for details...