The breakfast Table

The breakfast table. I do not know when or how this was started at this point, but this is the highlight in our family. This is also a very special tradition that as far as I know, is one that is special to just our family.

What exactly is this tradition that is so dearly loved in our family? Each year since Celidah was a very young toddler, Frank and I have prepared a special breakfast for the kids. The table is set, decorated, and often littered with various gifts or decorations. We have also had easy breakfast foods around for the kids that we do not normally have for them. In the past, we had boxed milk, boxed juice, Capri-sun type drinks, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, etc… We have had the table littered with bubbles and bubble supplies, Beanie Baby toys, sidewalk chalk, crayons and other young kids art supplied, matchbox cars. Basically, we have had many themes, or ideas over the years. The one constant has been the fruit basket, fun cereals, decorations, or gifts, all over the table.

This year with kids are getting older so we went with a black, gold, and red theme. I knew the magic would still be there regardless of the theme or colors. Also, something new and very special was that we allowed Celidah to help us. She is nearly 17 now for the first time asked if she could help. The beaming glow on her face when she was told yes was awesome.

This morning as the kids woke up, they were very excited and they squealed with delight once again at their favorite family tradition. The breakfast table. Ellie screamed when she found her seat and discovered that “Santa” left quinoa for her breakfast. Something she has been asking try again for weeks. As she ran to get her feeding pump and backpack, I started the quinoa in the rice cooker for her. By the time her meds were done, pump was ready, and she was back at the table her special breakfast was ready.

While the kids were eating breakfast, Frank handed out the “Santa” gifts for each child. The final gifts were 4 books filled with music. Piano/Vocal/guitar music. The kids (and Frank) all were so excited about these. Suddenly Frank and Celidah were fighting for the first turn on the piano. Giggles… dad won

Oh, yes we do add stuff to the stockings, but the stockings or the presents under the tree on Christmas morning have never been the most important or favorite part of Christmas morning to the kids. It has always been the table...