Christmas at our house

This is what Christmas looks like at our house.

Snowglobes, and lots of them. Seventeen, in fact.

It started on Kate's first Christmas, when Ryenne was only two years old. My grandma Sally and Courtney's mom each had a snowglobe. And everytime Ryenne saw them, she was completely entranced. And so it was that Courtney had the idea to give the girls a snowglobe of thier own each Christmas. It's now become one of our favorite traditions. Each year, we try to find one that reminds us of that particular time of life for each of the girls. As a result, we have snowglobes with books, mom and baby in a rocking chair, a ballerina, even a Harley Davison snowglobe!

I always loved decorating for Christmas as a little girl. My mom is a master at Christmas. Out came the boxes. . .boxes and boxes! The house was transformed, and I loved it. Every nook, cranny, and window sill became decked with lights, berries, and Christmas decor of every kind. My favorite task was setting out the nativity. To me, it was beautiful, an almost sacred event. I even enjoyed spreading out the itchy "angel hair" (that's what we always called the white, curly stuff that made the nativity seem as though it was floating amongst the clouds).

It was a big job! But when we were done? Everything felt cozy. Warm. Magical. It felt like Christmas.

I still get excited about decorating for Christmas. And I love seeing the excitement in the girls. It mounts as their Dad brings in boxes. . .boxes and boxes! Once again, we "deck the halls" with berries, lights, and Christmas decor of every kind. And I still love setting out the nativity.

But for the girls? It has to be the snowglobes. The unveiling of the snowglobes is the most magical part of the decorating for the girls. It is so fun to watch. One by one, the globes are unwrapped. We all "ooh" and "aah" over the beauty and splendor of each one. Then, the owner of that particular snowglobe winds the music box, shakes the snow, and we all listen to the wonderful, soft tinkling sound of music and watch the snow fall. It's a magic that can only come from a snowglobe.

A few years ago, we almost quit the tradition. After all, how many snowglobes can one house hold? But a few days later, we brought out the boxes. . .boxes and boxes! We started the annual Christmas decorating. Lights, greenery, Christmas books. Soon, the snowglobes were discovered.

I witnessed magic. Delight. Wonder. A glimpse of all of the best parts of childhood, all captured in a wonderful moment on the faces of three little girls.

And so, the snowglobes continue. By the time Ryenne leaves home, we estimate we will have at least 56 snowglobes.

One thing I'm learning quickly as a parent is how fleeting childhood really is. Although Ryenne is only eight years old, I'm becoming all too aware that the innocence of childhood is going to fade long before I'm ready for it to disappear. Those moments of delight and wonder are not going to last forever. And so, if it takes finding a place in my home for 56 snowglobes, just so I can capture that look of childhood on my girls faces at least once a year, I'm going to do it.

Like my mom always told me, there's nothing like the magic of Christmas.