This is one of my favorite traditions my wife and I started for our family. Everyone grows up with traditions passed down from generation to generation. Things you do because that is what your parents told you to do. As an adult with kids of my own I think the traditions that you start with your family are the most fun. I don’t expect my kids to continue this tradition on their own or with their kids, but I do hope they take away from this the fact it is ok to create your own traditions. For now, as long as my kids are still living with us I’m going to enjoy this.
This is the fifth year we have done this and the fourth year I have decided to blog about our tradition. I really like having a record of what all we chose each year. I always do a quick look back as I write these posts and I think it is almost as fun as the actual day.
If you are interested in reading more about how this tradition got started, or just see what we picked the last 3 years check out my posts.
I thought we had set on a date we would celebrate this every year but based on my look back I am wrong. My wife suggested the 24th since actual Icelandic Christmas is Dec 24th. I suggested the 25th since this is our Christmas in July. Looking back we have done it on both days as well as close to them. This year the weekend was so busy we smushed it in when we had some free time.
Last year we allowed a little change to keep my son engaged and not complaining the whole time. He used to be a big reader when he was younger. Once he hit the teen years, his love of reading fell by the wayside. Which my wife and I understand but we still wish he would get back into reading. We will not push the issue but if her does start reading again I will make up for lost time. Last year we got him a Lego Speed Champion set since they cost about the same as a hardcover. This at least gets him to spend about a half hour with us while the rest of us read which is appreciated.
The weekend before, we did our annual trip to the mall and hit up Barnes & Noble, and the Lego Store. Here is what we got for this year.
The other part of the tradition is to share chocolate while reading. As I mentioned it was a busy weekend. On top of that, here in the Midwest we are gearing up for another heat wave so we decided to beat the heat and think cold. I picked up a new flavor of ice cream to start our event. We got Blue Bell chocolate lava cake. This was good but my favorite is one no longer made which was a triple chocolate truffle brownie, with the Brookie flavor we previously had as a close second.
I look forward to this every year and I know my wife enjoys it too. Not 100% sure how much the kids enjoy it but my daughter is very excited to start her book and my son is always happy for a new Lego. As crazy busy as we have been lately, and work for me has my stress levels through the roof. It was so nice to stop, as a family, and just relax for a bit. No electronics, no interruptions, and no responsibilities. Just the four of us spending time together; which is a rarity as the kids get older and involved in things.
Another successful tradition. Sometimes taking a pause is just what you need. It was also nice to get in a colder mindset in the middle of summer and right as a heatwave is ramping up. I may start celebrating spooky season like 5th, but this is still a fun evening interlude. Back to my regularly scheduled Halloween dreaming and very soon I will be starting the 100 Horror Movies in 92 days challenge.
Brunner's Bar 
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