A Very Noisy Solstice

On Monday, December 21st--the Winter Solstice--we woke up early and sang happy birthday to the sun by means of this song from Circle Round:

The Sun is born again today
We greet the Sun's first morning ray
We sing and celebrate the light
The Sun is born in the longest night

The kids were just as excited to see the dining room table, decorated and set for breakfast as it is each year on Solstice, as they were to see the gifts, wrapped beneath the tree. It really is the traditions of our celebrations that make them so special and magical, isn't it?

I couldn't find the tablecloth that we usually use on Solstice morning

so I just used a long roll of paper and drew stars all over it.

Our funky Solstice candle holder and the snowmen
(the snowmen candles were recycled from a
Christmas party my grandparents threw last year)

Sticky, sticky, sticky and
oh so yummy

After breakfast, the kids opened the gifts under the tree. Last year we decided that we would only give the kids "sharing" presents on solstice, with only as many gifts as there were children (last year, 3, this year, 4) and that all of the items given would have been previously owned. We decided to continue with that plan this year, adding the stipulation that the gifts would be of value to our family for many years to come (i.e. that the children would not quickly grow bored with them). And once again, it was a huge success. I now can't imagine doing it any other way.

Our home will be filled with the sound of music through these long winter months, and for many more beyond that, I'm guessing. The kids handled the day so brilliantly, and Lena and I were so pleased. And the sun shone brightly, and everyone was warm and cozy inside our noisy little house.