Easter Redux

Emery did not enjoy meeting the Easter Bunny.

Our Easter activities this year were more plentiful than ever. The kids participated in a total of six (!) egg hunts and three parties and by the end, even Emery was a pro hunter.

She did enjoy impersonating the Easter Bunny.

The first event was Mustang's Easter party at the zoo. We do have a family membership, but it is rare that Kim ever goes with us, so this was an opportunity to combine a fun family outing and a little networking.

Evidence that our baby is now a little big kid.

Parking was exciting as always on a Saturday, but when we all got in and reunited, it was a fun day for all of us.

Next up was our annual Rowdy Rebels party.

Because it has been so long since we've all had a group picture.


Get your egg on.

We met for a potluck luncheon, egg hunts, and of course candy feasting. Emery and her contemporaries had a quick hunt while all the big kids stared out the window at them impatiently. She knew just what to do and thankfully, the treats inside were things she could eat.

Jen came up with a great idea for this year's hunt that involved the kids hunting eggs of a specific number, totaling twelve. I will admit I was skeptical that our kids were mature enough to find an egg, announce "why, this is a 6 and I only need an 11 and an 8!" then calmly put the egg back and continue the search. By some miracle, our four year olds were little angels and did just that! The best part was that the search lasted a lot longer than usual and Alastair said he really liked the game.

Success!

Then it was time for his school party.

During the school year, the moms are only allowed to attend one party that they plan. All year long I had to tell my disappointed boy that yes, I did want to come to his party, but that it wasn't my turn yet. My day finally arrived!

I was in charge of decor and crafts.

A craft my son made!

I reused the craft from last years party which I think it really more of a four year old craft anyway. The blue one is Alastair's and he was so careful to put on the tissue paper "puffs." Last year he smacked on a few pieces of paper and was off to the block center in about two minutes. It was nice to see him take his time and really work on it and I think he'll enjoy crafting this summer. Randomly these days he'll wander into the kitchen and announce, "I'd like to do a craft now." I'll have to get some standby's ready for those moments because handing him the hot glue gun to help me finish a work in progress probably isn't a good idea.

Memorial Drive UMC Eggstravaganza

Saturday we went to our church for the Eggstravaganza. There were lots of crafts and games set up for the kids to play while they waited for their heat to begin. Yes, there were that many rounds.

Alastair was in the last group and by that time the announcer said to keep going till they were all gone.

A full basket.

We are now set on tattoos for life. Alastair made quick work of the trinkets and candies on the ride home.

Easter smiles.

The Easter Bunny visited our house early on Sunday morning and left the kids candies and a few new toys. We knew Alastair's Kaleido Gear Set was a huge hit when he built gears for a good twenty minutes forsaking his candy until later. Emery got a Baby Stella doll, which is either going to be called "Baby LaLa" or "Baby "Lella" as she tries out both options. After they played with their toys and ate more peeps than we typically serve at breakfast, we headed off to church where Alastair got a gift bag full of entertainment and activities to keep.

In the afternoon we had another egg hunt at the house before heading off to Grammie and Papa's.

Emery rocks the christening dress I made her. It still fits!

Yet another egg hunt!

Grammie and Papa had an indoor egg hunt for the kids which featured a combination of chocolate malt balls, carrots, and grapes. Ten points for creativity but by that point, the sugar battle was long lost.

Chilling on the patio.

It was really a gorgeous afternoon and after dinner, we all hung out on the patio and let Alastair wear out the dog. He has really perfected his skill with the Chuckit.

Together again.

My brother made the drive from Kansas with a quick trip to New Orleans for a 10k. Before he left, Alastair invited him over for a playdate. Alastair had his uncle building gears, blocks, and Hot Wheels tracks. He also had a grand time with all the apps Bill has been downloading to play with him on his ipad.

The day after Bill left, Alastair asked me while looking at a leather bound notebook sitting on the counter, "Is that an ipad?" No, I told him, that is a regular notepad. His response: "But where's the screen?" Yep, Uncle Bill has been in the house.

High Ho Silver and Away!

The other weird thing about my brother (as if there is just one) is a new tradition of piggyback pictures. Every time he visits, he gets to run Alastair around the yard until the little guy is big enough to give him a piggyback ride. Alastair is only too happy to comply.