Christkindlesmarkt

Nurnberg - webpics

Now that we've cleared up that the Annual Roomie Cookie Exchange is in DEC this year (as it was last year - where was I??)...I'm headed downtown today to meet up with Roomie Valerie to explore the Christkindles Markt! Whooo hooo! So excited! Some kinderpunch (kid version of the hot wine) & a visit with Chriskindl himself. Now the Chicago Christmas market is no Nurnburg. Mind you, I lived 30 minutes from this world famous Christmas market in Germany, but hey it's as close as we'll get in Chicagoland & it's the next best thing to being there. Wishful thinking...So, I'm thrilled & Gracie's stoked as well. Only bummer is that Val's daughter, Allison, is still in MO & NOT not coming along. :o( for Gracie.

My own pic. Chicago version of Christkindlemart: note the skyscraper reflection~

With that in mind, a word about family tradtions~

Wise Words on the Value of Family Rituals as found on Being Saavy:
Trusted experts and wise preschool teachers Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum remind us of why the thought and care we put into the holiday season, and the many other rituals of family life, really matters."Your preschool child is now at an age when she can really begin to appreciate the rituals and holidays that divide up the year and bring a family together. When you do something on a weekly or annual basis, this helps create a wonderful sense of belonging within a family.... When you create family rituals, you're building a store of memories that will stay with you and your child, acquiring more meaning with every passing year." -- from Practical Wisdom for Parents: Raising Self-Confident Children in the Preschool Years

See Grace "sitting" on Santa's lap~