Traditional Christmas Weekend

We have so many family traditions this time of year. I think that's why this was such a hard post to write. As I thought of all of them, each one brought a smile to my face.

I'll share one of our newest holiday traditions. My mom began this one last year, and I love it. She chooses a weekend, and she books two rooms at the "Great Week Lodge." When she announces the weekend she chooses, you'd sure as hell make sure you're available. She gets two "kid cabin" rooms. These have little cabins inside with three bunk beds. It's the best weekend of the holiday season. My sister gathers her family, and I gather mine. Then with mom and pops in tow, we head out for the weekend. As soon as we arrive at the hotel, we drop our stuff off and the kids get their "paw passes" and it's game on! The weekend begins with the kids getting their magic wands and choosing their quest. As we make our way through the hotel, the kids are pointing at treasure chest and random objects to collect their magic. Then the adults retreat to the rooms for a festive drink, and the kids plot their next move. After all, they are steering the boat so to speak. They usually jump from bunk to bunk in the rooms. Later, we head to dinner, and off to see Santa. Then the moment we all dread, but do it anyways. We get in our bathing suits and head to the indoor water park! Nothing like getting in your bathing suit in December. Oy! Nevertheless, we have a blast. My tiny little child picks the biggest slide to go down. She is fearless. Finally, we head back and everyone gets in their pjs, and heads to the lobby for story time being at the Lodge is like being in a twilight zone. Everyone is roaming the halls in their pjs. The kids take one more trip around with their wands and head to bed.

In the morning, my mom reserves the life size gingerbread house for her and the kids to go have breakfast in. The rest of us get to stay snuggled in bed just a bit longer. Then, it's back to the water park. Finally, the kids get to use the rest of their paw pass. They make a shirt, stuff an animal of their choice, get ice cream, and glitter tattoos. Once those puppies are applied, it signals that its time to head home.

There is nothing better than spending the weekend cooped up in a hotel with my mom, pops, sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephews, daughter, stepson, and hubby. It truly is the best weekend of the season!