Easter Weekend

Easter is such a weird holiday. It's a big deal religiously, but Easter Sunday mass always feel somehow sort of anti-climactic versus Christmas mass.  There are still old school Easter specials to watch (thanks Youtube!), fun cookies to bake, and pastel decorations.  I still chuckle every time I looked at my cute little ceramic bunnies, remembering when I bought them and the cashier at the fabric store scolded me for buying them because they took away from Jesus.

This year I planned (didn't plan?) a very laid back Easter.  I just did not feel like hosting anything or anyone.  Given how the weekend transpired, this ended up being a good thing....

Friday was a half day of school before the start of spring break.  Eileen and Linus fought nonstop.  Amid all the fighting, we managed to bake some Easter cookies and dye eggs.

Holy Saturday encompassed a wide variety of activities.  Dave took Eileen and the boys to Eileen's ballet class, while I walked across the street to go caucus at the elementary school.  Caucuses are a pain, but it is such a fun way to meet your neighbors and it does let you really feel like a part of the process versus voting absentee.  When I pre-registered I asked Dave if he wanted to caucus too.  He said no, so I told the kids we wasn't caucusing because he was voting for Trump.  Linus and Eileen gasped.

I really enjoyed hearing people's perspectives and was impressed by how civil and respectful everyone was, especially given how insanely crowded it was inside the gym.  A bonus was I finally met my neighbor (sad I know, it's only been 1.5 years).  I told her how much I loved the smell of their backyard because of all the meat they smoked.  They actually had the smoker going all day and then last night, she brought us some brisket fresh out of the smoker.  It was a great way to see how politics can bring people together.

Dave and I spent the afternoon cleaning up our yard.  14 bags later there is only one pile left.  I haven't been this sore in years.  When I picked Robin up from his nap, he was acting funny.  He felt warm.  As I walked him to his room to take his temp, he threw up all over me.  Temp turned out to be 102.3.  Robin spent the rest of the day resting on the couch before going to bed early.

The kids woke up early and Robin was fever free.  I pretty much just let the kids eat their candy at will, only occasionally cutting them off, so they learn how to manage candy intake themselves.

Linus was not happy about the idea of going to church or wearing a nice shirt.  It was an omen for how the day would go.  Linus cleans up nice and likes to do his hair.

Mass was crazy crowded.  I remember thinking last year that it was not very crowded at all.  Luckily, we ended up sitting with two families with daughters in Eileen's class.  They were so happy to be together and held hands throughout mass.  It was heartwarming and a reaffirming moment for joining the parish.

Eileen with two of her besties, Kathryn and Lucy.  Eileen looks like a young me at Easter, dressed up and slightly feral.  I don't love the bonnet, but we found it in the dollar bin of Target along with white gloves.  It was love at first sight for her.

After mass, we had the obligatory egg hunt and then Dave gave instructions on how to peel eggs.  None of the kids are huge fans of hard boiled eggs just yet.

I love Robin's expression here.

The kids did not appreciate my brunch.  No surprise there.  The big kids were having a rough morning, maybe it was the candy, maybe it was getting up early.  Who knows?  Either way, it was mandatory nap time for everyone (a perk to not hosting).  I woke up 2 hours later and went to get Robin.  Robin was very warm.  A temperature check reveal a fever of 103.3.  He was not a happy guy and spent the rest of the day lying on the couch.  Linus continued to have a rough day, but we worked through it.  Turns out that playing catch in the rain with Daddy, followed by a hot shower can go a long way to making things not seem so bad to a 7 year old.

Robin ate crackers for dinner.  Linus and Eileen were lukewarm to my dinner of meatball sub casserole (as seen on one of those Tasty videos in my Facebook feed) and lemon garlic green beans.  After dinner,  I put Robin to bed.  He fell asleep in my arms.  I played board games with Eileen and Linus until they both went to bed early. 

It was kind of a long day.  Thank you Jesus for dying for our sins.  Thank you Easter Bunny for bringing Reeses pieces in the shape of a carrot.  Thank you Dave for patiently dealing with an ornery child.  And thank you God that the kids are all in bed now.