Traditions

It seems a little silly to speak of traditions here, in this little family that is not yet three years old.  But we seem to be making some at Christmas time.  Stealing, for instance, the gingerbread cookie tradition that has been with the Cowans for a long long time.  We continue it when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit.

Grandpa gives Dex a turn at rolling.  Traditionally, he is terrible at rolling.  He did not disappoint this year.  Dexter, I mean.  Not Grandpa.  Grandpa can roll him some cookie dough.

The actual cutting of the cookies.  Traditionally, Dexter only cares about the star cookies.  He did not disappoint this year.

Waiting with anticipation for Grandpa to free his (as yet uncooked) star cookies from the surrounding dough.  Traditionally, Dexter just shoves the raw cookies in to his mouth.

He did not disappoint this year.

When it comes to rolling dough, everyone's a critic.

This is basically how the whole cookie making adventure goes - always with Dexter's mouth filled with cookie.

Somehow the child became a teenager, in one split second.

Longwood at Christmas has been a sporadic tradition since before Dexter, but now that the small one has a say in things like trains and lights and Christmas trees with baubles, and fountain shows...  Well, let's just say we're certain to see the lights every year.  Maybe more than once.

Trains!  Goddamn TRAINS!  In the really really COLD!

Grandma and Grandpa are part of the Longwood tradition

Traditionally, Grandpa does not smile in pictures, and Dexter doesn't look at the camera.  Neither disappointed this year.

Traditionally, John's eyes are closed in pictures, and Dexter doesn't look at the camera.  John was a bit of a disappointment this year, but I am ok with it.  I like this cute little picture.

Traditionally, Longwood has water in the middle of this Christmas display.  They did not disappoint.  Dexter thoroughly enjoyed watching the fountains.

The gingerbread men are not traditional for Longwood, but they were a cool touch this year.

Traditionally, Dexter chases the water like a lunatic, giggling and paying no mind to any grown-up legs in his way, or to any other small children he may have to run over.  He did not disappoint.

Traditionally Dexter walks out of the Children's Garden the wettest child there, in serious need of a clothing change.  He did not disappoint.

Traditionally, Longwood's light displays are amazing and are much emulated in neighborhoods surrounding Longwood (including ours).  And as always, Longwood did not disappoint.

And a bit of a new tradition for us - gazing with wonderment at the eight billion miles of train tracks and the eleventy-billion different model trains romping around in the Brandywine River Museum.  Dexter was fascinated.  We spent far too many hours in there.

Traditionally (if you count last year as "tradition") Dexter loved watching the train crossing go up and down.  He did not disappoint.