traditions : old & new

I love watching our little family traditions grow - some of them quite without me realizing they're happening. On Saturday morning, I was getting ready for a journey to the grocery store (the epic experience that is the day before Easter), and walked into the living room to find Calvin, Ezra and Adelaide in the 'shanty' (aka - the couch cushions with quilts draped over them), playing "Laura, Carrie, and Mary Ingalls". But the tone was serious - and I strained to listen to just what was going on in there, worried we were reenacting Jack's (the Ingalls' dog) death again or something equally Little House on the Prairie-tragic.

But another very important kind of meeting was happening in there. Calvin and Ezra were having a little sit-down with Adelaide - filling her in on just what Spring is all about, and what exactly she could expect on Easter. They were explaining how the little animals of the forest leave out treats for them to find. They even impressed me with a few "some people are celebrating this....and some people believe this...." that has me believing they do actually hear me when I ramble on about such things. And then in great detail, the description of the 'really special and beautiful' chocolate bunny they would have in their basket from Mama and Papa. (Perfect, I thought, as I mentally added those yummy Lake Champlain bunnies to the grocery list.)

But before I could get too comfortable in my preparedness, I heard "...and Mama makes us all springtime pants!"  Wait, what? I do? A moment of panic set in as I racked my brain for just what was in the Easter baskets last year (a task more difficult than it should be for my 31 year old brain). Chocolate bunny, pencils, paper...yup, pants. And the year before? Hmn...wood animals, earth balls, watercolors....and oh yeah, pants. Oh gosh. That's a tradition. An accidental tradition, but a tradition nonetheless.

As the day went on, I think I slipped something subtly into conversation about how wonderful it is when things change, or how holidays can be different from year to year and new traditions are made. But of course, I was only trying to convince myself. It wasn't until later that night, with a house full of sleeping babes, and the last of the Easter preparations completed (including a massive search for the Easter baskets. Where could they go?), that I finally succumbed to the pant-making. I distinctly remember whining about it to Steve and a friend during that day...but as I started gathering the fabric, I snapped out of that. I mean, really now, how long will it be that my children are looking foward to handmade pants from Mama in their Easter basket? Not long, I am sure. I'll take it while I can. With joy.

Before you imagine the scene to be too idyllic, I should tell you that it wasn't as though they were jumping up and down excited about these little pants. I assure you, it was the candy first. Art supplies second. Mama - made pants a distant third. But they each did put them on, and sat down together like this - giggling and eating and playing. Soon the linen was covered in chocolate and sticky jelly bean slime, and in a few days, I am sure, they'll be handed to me covered in mud from outside spring play. A perfect tradition.

Oh, and the easter baskets? I couldn't find them. At all. So we 'made do' at the very last minute with some clementine boxes. I think we started a new tradition.

Comments

[Jen]

Very cool....love the ideas here. And when the art supplies wear out, the pants will still march on.

[Suzanne]

What a great retelling:-) Good thing you overheard them about the pants...LOL! Children seem to remember everything down to the last detail when we don't have recall at all.

[Ellie]

Hi Amanda! I've been checking out your blog for a while now, but this is my first post. I love, love love the pants! Are they one size fits all? Or do you know their measurements? I am continually inspired by your creativity. I can't wait to get my hands on your second book! Peace and blessings to you and your lovely family. :)

[Sarah]

love the clementine boxes! my 2 year old eats a box each week and I'm always trying to come up with new uses for them. easter baskets-i'll have to add that to my list!

[Sara]

I love the clementine boxes (aka easter baskets).

[Emilie]

hehe....I couldn't find the baskets either! I ended up using some old wood boxes that I plant pansies in for the porch in the spring! Glad I wasn't the only one....but what great repurposing, right?

and of course I heart the pants! =)

[carol]

just had to add that I could not hold back tears when my kids and I read about dear old Jack's death...I literally was gulping tears away. I love those books...we are on the last of the series!

[jean]

perfect. whipping out three pairs of pants after bedtime? you amaze me. and I love how the boys always prepare her for what is to come. such wonderful bros.

[emily]

i love how the little things that seem as though they don't matter at all, actually make such an impression. (good thing you were listening!)

[Jennifer]

Love this! I'm often surprised by what my kids have determined is tradition... and always so thankful when it is something meaningful and not just the candy or the glitz! The pants are darling... and I love the clementine boxes. Next year!

[heather]

gorgeous! the traditions... the little house play (i know, sometimes it gets pretty intense)... the handmade love... the baskets! and of course, i always love the wonderful light your home gets in the morning, so lucky.

[maya]

That's so so sweet! And the clementine boxes - excellent idea.

[Heather]

I use clementine boxes for everything garden related: tools, seed, pots, bird food,gloves, and twine. Seems fitting they make good Easter baskets too!

[camerashymomma]

that's awesome! love that they share with her as big brothers should! and grabbing onto traditions as they see them, it's all so wonderful! hope those pants welcome in spring real quick for ya!

[Christy/ MommaOnTheMountain]

that is a lovely story, my kids know that I make them all stuff for the holidays too, and they love it, it is usually down the line as well. but my older boys (thirteen and ten,) they also understand the value of my time...beautiful

[Jude]

I love the spring pants. They are so cute! I think it's a lovely tradition...we give jarmies! It's Autumn here and about to get cooler so we pull out the fleecy brushed cotton and the hot water bottle covers. I love the crates too - this year I was really lazy and gave them fluffy chick gift bags...but we did have a prom 'before' party and a 17th for our eldest! It's my excuse and I am sticking to it.

[Kristen]

I think I might start a site for all the possible uses for clementine boxes-it could be endless!!! Love the homemade pants. Kids are funny, sometimes doing something once and it is expected to become a tradition. That's alot of pressure on us parents. Your house looks so bright and Springy.

[MamaShift]

Well, it's not Easter here in Ukraine till next month. Unfortunately, all the French kids don't know that. My oldest was quite confused about why the Easter Bunny didn't come.

Love the boxes!

[kosenrufu mama]

i love your pants, really nice, your ideas inspiring me every day, thank you

[brandie]

i totally love the clementine box as easter basket!! i am sure everything fit in their better anyway. and the pants are awesome...i need to learn how to add the band thing at the bottom because it is sooo cute.

[inga]

Clementine boxes - sounds like reuse, reduce, recycle)) Lovely idea))
Amanda, I was wondering where do you get your linen, online or from a local source? Thank you))

[Meredith]

Ooh I love the Clementine baskets!! Lovely tradition...and believe me, they will remember it more than the goodies one day.

Have a great day...counting down until your book arrives on my doorstep!!

[Alicia A.]

What great traditions!!

When I start in on the "some people believe this or that's" is exactly when my children's eyes glaze over. Perhaps it is sinking in just a little.

[christina]

sweets for the sweets! Darling pants, and trust me, the traditions matter!
thanks for sharing,
Christina

[denice]

I had the same experience with Christmas, upon hearing my daughter and her cousin explain that every single year they got matching pajamas. Huh? You do?? One year (ONE year!!) I accidentally bought the same pair my sister bought, last minute, having run out of making time. Oh, yes, traditions can definitely have a life of their own. :)

(I have wondered where you most often get your linen as well.)

[jesica]

I love the bird fabric and haven't seen it before. Where is it from. I love the image of all of them talking under the fort. My four year old is also quite into the Little House series and I just found the long version on CD from the library. He is quite fascinated by Laura saying she "hates" Sundays since that isn't a word we have used.

[annette]

Hey, can I come to your house next spring-day (easter)?! Those basket-boxes look positively stuffed with goodies.

[SpiderWomanKnits]

Just beautiful! I have been struggling with how we incorporate and begin new traditions for our young family. Thanks for the reminder to just let our own traditions be. Too often I find myself trying to measure up somehow with the past. Really it's all just about the joy we experience now, no matter, what the actions are.

Happy Spring to you and your beautiful family :-)

[Francesca]

What a wonderful Easter you had!

[michele]

Love it. your kids are so fantastic!
peace

[jesica]

I just found the bird fabric and it is called chicken stomp earth and Harts Fabric carries it.

[LJ]

You seem like such a sweet mom. Isn't it wonderful how much little ones like Mom to make them things? I think it is. Your pants are so cute and I love how you wrote the post. Blessings to your family. I love your blog.
LJ

[SOULEMAMA]

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FABRIC ANSWERS:

The bird fabric is by Robert Kaufman, called "On a Whim".

The other two prints are called Happy Rain and are from Banberry Place (last year - not sure it's still in stock):
http://banberryplace.com/

And linen. These pants were made with scraps from a few different places -a friend who kindly shared her linen stash, and some from fabric.com, and some from my local fabric store. I try linen from lots of different places, none that I could recommend over another, though.

Hope that helps!

--amanda

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[Cheryl]

Ah Amanda, you never fail us with a sweet family story. Loved reading this mornings post. Isn't it funny the things kids remember? Yep, looks like you started a new tradition with the clementine boxes. Hope you saved them for next year. Sounds like your family had a blessed Easter.

[elizabeth]

happy easter! i chuckled all the way through your post,recognizing the same dilemmas. i had completely forgotten that i pitched all of my dilapidated easter baskets in a crazy hormonal postpartum moment of imbalance needing space and order. it wasn't until the day before easter, moments before our neighborhood easter egg hunt, that a vague recollection of doing this descended upon me with dread. Yikes! like any desperate mama i sprang to my feet to get new ones after we decided that no, we could not take the plants out of the baskets that they were in. Of course, every other family in the state seemed to be in the same crisis mode-the store was packed and the pickings slim. i was up til 2 am sewing spring bags for them. oh, dear, have i started a new tradition? because i have 7 little chickies!!!!!!!! that's alotta sewing!

[Linds]

Hi Amanda!
I've been lurking here for some time now and I love all your ideas. The pants are great! I'm also anxiousely awaiting your book that I have pre-ordered!

Thanks for all the great ideas and inspiring photos!
Linds

[QALBALLAH]

I remember when I was still a new Mummy someone giving me advice that has stood the test of time, and it is this: before you start any new routine with kids (I was sleep deprived at the time and considering a number of quick fix options some of which may or may not have involved chloroform) ask yourself this question: Do I want to be doing this for the next eighteen years of my life; if the answer is 'no' then don't start it!

Ah but spring pants - not such a chore is it? Have to admit I was looking forward to seeing them too LOL

And fruit boxes... hm.. what for next year? Potato sacks? Could be a theme...

[Cheryl]

Ah Amanda, you never fail us with a sweet family story. Loved reading this mornings post. Isn't it funny the things kids remember? Yep, looks like you started a new tradition with the clementine boxes. Hope you saved them for next year. Sounds like your family had a blessed Easter.

[Adrienne]

I just love the pants? I know this was asked earlier, but are they from one pattern? Could you share this with us? Thanks so much! I forgot the books that they get "every year" as my daughter told me.

[SOULEMAMA]

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Adrienne & Ellie -
I always just trace a pair of pants of theirs, and yes, I do keep their measurements listed in my studio too. There are instructions for doing it this way (tracing pants) in the book! ;)

--amanda

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[jen]

I really loved this post. Now that you have had a few days breather after finishing that second book, may a suggest a third? How about sharing all your lovely holiday/special time traditions...something along the lines of Reconnecting with Mother Earth- Holiday (and everyday) traditions for the secular family.
Or something along those lines.
Wishing you six little bare feet in grass before too long! Happy Spring.
Jen

[Jen]

I LOVE the clementine boxes stand in for Easter Baskets - perfect replacement.

Thank you so much for sharing the simple ways we go about making a family.

[Jennifer]

I love the clementine boxes. It would be fun to let the kids paint them and decorate them too. The pants are a sweet tradition. My girls have come to expect hand made dresses Easter morning. Last year I knitted cardigans to go with them. Sunday morning I was informed that I had "forgotten" to knit the sweaters. How much time do these kids think I have?

[Dana]

Love the pants!

[Amy]

I think my heart just melted. And I love the pants.

[Lisa Cohen]

I absolutely love this tradition. While we don't celebrate Easter I think I would love to create a tradition including some of your ideas into a "Welcome Spring" ritual... I love the art supplies, the notebooks, the unplanned clementine boxes, and something handmade - those pants are adorable!... I think this is the start of something new for me here. Thank you so much for the inspiration.

[MamaBird]

Ah, what a sweet story and such sweet PANTS. I love the clementine boxes too, I have one in my kitchen to hold the lunchbags and sandwich wraps. Phenomenal that you overheard the iteration of the pants legacy...and that you were, as PPs have noted, able to whip out 3 pairs after bedtime. Reminds me of when my DD was 2 and casually mentioned on Xmas eve that all she really wanted was a yak sweatshirt. I still don't know how to embroider but somehow I managed! Mama love powers all...

[elliebelle]

I love that the easter baskets are filled with art supplies - so fun!

[sarah]

lovely! So funny I heard something similar the day before Easter as Gryphon was filling Ruby in on "what to expect" So cute!

[Rachel]

Today I am feeling rather sad and lonely.... but your post has filled my heart with a little gladness. Thank you for sharing the treasures of your life.