Traditions make a huge difference in families. Those things we seem to do the same time every year, in the same way we did them the year before, somehow help us to feel like we belong. The shared experiences form a bond unlike any other.
We have some fun traditions in our house. I have a whole series on our Christmas traditions because they are just weird enough to need a series to explain them all! (I need to get the posts moved over to the new location…. soon…)
We also have a fun July tradition. Since we’re dual citizens, in our home we celebrate both Confederation/Canada Day (July 1st) and American Independence Day (July 4). Our tradition with these holidays began 2 years ago, but it’s already a tradition.
We spent the summer of 2008 in the States with our families, and they, being good Americans, had big plans for the 4th. But we wanted to celebrate Canada Day in a memorable way. SO, we invited my sweetie’s parents (Gram & PawPaw), and his sister and her husband to join us for a Canada Day water fight at one of the local parks. And with the spectacular play time we had, a tradition was born.
We had a water fight of epic proportions, including:
We’re still not quite sure if any correlation can be drawn between the type of activity chosen and the significance of the holidays – it’s enough that it’s summer, it’s hot, it’s fun, so let’s play!
The kiddos are always looking for a good excuse to have a water fight, and the grandparents are such good sports. So, they were up visiting with us last year for July 1 and July 4. We went to a baseball game on the 1st, and had a water fight again on the 4th!
This year the plan is already in place to have our big water fight on Sunday, the 4th. The tradition was stated to me this way yesterday: “We have a water fight to celebrate the holiday of the country we’re NOT in at the time of the holiday (i.e., if we’re in the USA, the water fight is on the 1st, and if we’re in Canada, the water fight is on the 4th).”
So, there you have it – a new tradition! Bring on the water, let’s celebrate!
I love the new look! It is fantastic!
Lydia
We decided to start a new 4th tradition. Spend it with just the 4 of us.
not sure where my other comment went…. but I'll post it again! LOL!
Thanks Lydia! Glad you found the new space.
Tammy, that sounds like a good idea. We do that with our Thanksgivings – one of them we spend with just us as a family, and the other one we share with another family.
Thanks Lydia! Glad you found the new space.
Tammy, that sounds like a good idea. We do that with our Thanksgivings – one of them we spend with just us as a family, and the other one we share with another family.