Baby Development After Birth

So what are you doing this July 4th?  Do you have any family traditions you do year after year?  My family does and I didn't even realize it.

My sweet husband has been arranging for the boys to visit grandparents in Missouri for a week.  I suggested since he was going to be in St Louis, which is halfway, they just go then to save travel time.  With a shocked and almost hurt look on his face, he said that it wasn't an option since the boys would be gone over 4th of July.  I was a little puzzled and he explained that the past few years, we have grilled and watched the fireworks across the street as a family.  The boys make their patriotic poke cake and wave sparklers with the neighborhood kids once it's dark.  Little did I know that it was such a big deal -- to all three of them!  I never realized I had created a yearly tradition that everyone looked forward to.

I've always felt guilty that I wasn't the mom who did it all.  But then I realized that over the years, there are a few "mom always..." memories that the boys can share with their children someday.  New Christmas Eve PJ's, first and last day of school books, and birthday dinners of their choosing are just a few events that have seemed to become tradition.  It makes me smile to think that I've created memories that they will carry with them and maybe even think Mom was a little cool.