One of my favorite memories from my childhood was driving around our neighborhood streets, looking at all of the Christmas lights. It was well before the the days of the Light Fight shows and the musically-timed flashing bulbs. One street went all out, and it was always a treat to see our favorite homes lit up each year with familiar decorations.
Since the boys were toddlers, we’ve done a tour of our own neighborhood. I’d bundle them up and pull their wagon around the block as they sang songs and pointed out their favorite houses. This year, we’ve “leveled up” in many ways. Big B helped set up our Christmas tree, lifting and positioning it into place. I was even able to bring out the breakable ornaments again and trust Little b to hang them himself. They’re both too big for the wagon now, which has been gathering dust in our garage.
Our neighborhood light tour leveled up too. Instead of our leisurely wagon stroll, we donned glowing accessories, grabbed the neighborhood friends and went on a 1-mile bike ride light tour!
There are moments I miss the bundled toddlers snuggled in a wagon, or the quiet awe of their faces lit with holiday glow for the first time. But when I saw my five-year-old pedal his fastest with a smile on his face, or heard the giggles and chatter of my eight-year-old and his friends as they stopped to “judge” every house, I didn’t miss the wagon at all. It was heavy anyway.
Our new neighborhood light tour suits me just fine.
Our Life in A-Z 