Total Egg Domination

Happy Easter.  As suggested by the title, mine was an Easter in which eggs figured prominently.  I made some egg farmer very happy.  Seriously.

Last year during Easter I was on my first day off full bedrest with Robin's pregnancy.  I went to mass, heated up some cinnamon rolls, and went back to bed.  I missed all the egg hunts, egg dyeing, candy, Easter cookies, special meals, everything.  It was kind of lame and made me feel like I was falling down on the job as a mom.  I was determined to make up for last year.

I had hoped to avoid egg dyeing.  It is such a hassle and the kids don't like hard boiled eggs.  The kids would hear no such thing.  And then I stumbled onto something wonderful....Did you know that you can hard boil eggs in the oven!?!  It's so so easy and hassle free.  Heat oven to 325.  Put eggs in muffin tin (I used my mini muffin tin).  Bake for 30 minutes.  Put in ice bath for 10 minutes.  Bam. That's it.  No broken eggs.  No waiting for water to boil.  No staying close to the kitchen.  It was awesome. 

Dave's been working late so I got to tackle egg dyeing by myself.  The eggs weren't fancy, but everyone was happy and it was stress free for me.  Egg count: 12

"Egg dyeing is so exciting!"

We celebrated our monthly Dimock gathering on Holy Saturday.  The bigger cousins organized and managed an egg hunt.  For my part, the kids and I baked a 4 layered pink and yellow velvet cake.  It turned out lovely.  3 eggs, new total: 15

Most years I invite my siblings to spend Easter with us.  I carefully planned the menu.  I've been in search of the perfect Easter combination.  I thought this year was especially yummy if I do say so myself.  It also provided an excuse to use my wedding china.  It felt very grown up.

Brunch: Pecan Brioche french toast, scrambled eggs, raspberries, strawberries, vegetarian breakfast sausage, orange juice, and sangria. Eggs used: 15.  Egg total: 30

Dinner:  deviled eggs (doesn't count towards egg total), rolls, spanikopita, and avgolemono soup. 3 eggs used.  Egg total: 33.

I think 33 eggs is a lot for such a small gathering of folks. 

The Easter Bunny visits our house, but he is very careful not to go overboard.  He also strongly prefers chocolate candy if their baskets are any evidence.  Linus and Eileen each got a puzzle story book (goblins for Linus, fairies for Eileen).  Robin got a squeaky monkey toy.  The kids ate a lot of candy this morning, but we managed to put a cap on it before anyone puked.

Mass was lovely.  The kids looked adorable and were well behaved.  Sadly, snapping a decent photo of all three of them is impossible as evidenced below. 

Robin in his dapper Easter finery. He is smiling at Linus.

It was absolutely wonderful spending the day with two of my siblings.  The kids really enjoyed all the quality time they got.  I think Sally and Tim enjoyed taking naps most, or possibly snuggling a baby while napping. 

Sally and Linus playing catch.  It was Linus' idea to stand at the top of the slide.  Just in case he missed the ball, it would roll down the slide back to her.

a little Easter gardening

It was a good Easter.  Hopefully, my kids will look back on their childhood Easters and fondly remember the simplicity.