Passing Along Family Traditions

I just bought a pumpkin pie at Costco. That signals the start of the autumn season in our family. I know school may have just started. But traditionally in our household, once pumpkin pie shows up, it's autumn.

The agony of starting school is calmed knowing the holidays are right around the corner. Our family loves this time of year because we have many traditions that I hope will be handed down by my three daughters once they leave our nest and find their own tree to hang ornaments.

Ever since I can remember, we made a big deal of going to our local pumpkin patch and letting our children select a pumpkin for each to carve. I take a photo every year of them sitting on a pumpkin in the patch and love seeing the progression from year to year. I also take a photo of them in their costumes. Whether the costume is store bought or hand sewn, we have a photo of them with eager faces ready to go out and trick-or-treat. This year, even though they are not little children anymore, I still sewed costumes. The kids begged me to make Harry Potter Hogwarts robes because they are such Potter fanatics. So I complied knowing it could be the last year I make costumes. (They’d better appreciate these robes otherwise Vol-de-Mom might cast a wicked spell).

Well, it’s time to take a break and cut a slice of that pumpkin pie from Costco. At least it will keep me in the holiday spirit and for a moment help me forget my kids have school tomorrow.