A new tradition...

The holidays seem to revolve around traditions.  We have traditions from growing up.  We never put up our tree until two weeks before Christmas, it was always a live tree and we made rolling hills with deer moss that we found in the woods for the nativity scene.  I always sprayed snow scenes on some of the windows (mom thought everyone else was too messy).  Santa left us on present on the kitchen table, except the year we all 5 received a bike, with our names handwritten on a piece of paper in front of each gift.  Christmas Eve was always mad chaos at my grandma's with all the aunts, uncles and cousins.  They had wood heat so everyone made sure they didn't dress too warm....dead of winter and we wore short sleeves. 

Now we have traditions that we have started with our children.  The kids each having their own tree with their ornaments, the elf on the shelf who they named Bernard, watching a Christmas show every night from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the tree lighting at Great Wolf Lodge, we attend a Christmas program at our neighbors church, etc.  I think after yesterday we are going to add a new tradition...the Down Syndrome Association holiday party.  The boys had such a great time.  They made crafts, helped decorate gingerbread houses, each received a present and visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  I'm sure Hailey will have as much fun next year!

She is quite the charmer.  She has her dimples and knows how to use them!  I will have to admit, she was quite adorable in her Santa dress!  It was a little overwhelming for me (imagine that...I almost cried!).  We didn't make it to the Buddy Walk this year so for the most part, Hailey is the only person with Down syndrome that we see (other than all of the adorable ones I follow through blogs).  We see a few people with DS from time to time but never so many.  They were absolutely beautiful.  The smiles, the love was indescribable.  While waiting in line for Santa, we had the strangest thing happen.  There was a beautiful, blonde 9 year old in front of us.  Her name was Olivia and she absolutely loves babies.  I was holding Hailey when Olivia started talking to her.  Hailey smiled from ear to ear.  Then she reached for Olivia and gave her a kiss....let me clarify this....Hailey does NOT reach for people in general.  She will reach for us when she wants to give us kisses but this was different.  She was basically leaping for Olivia.  I think in a five minute period she kissed Olivia 15-20 times.  It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. I didn't get a picture of it because I was trying to keep Hailey from jumping out of my arms but I know Olivia's mom did.  So now I have to say what everyone is asking in their head...yes, Olivia has Down syndrome.  It almost brings tears to my eyes now thinking about this encounter yesterday.  It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen and it seemed to make Olivia a very happy little girl!

Hailey was NOT happy with her dress!

Who is this strange man?