The kids did not bother to wake us up in the morning. They ran downstairs found their baskets and proceeded to eat the contents of the baskets. I can honestly say that other than a few random Pez, all Easter candy had been consumed by about 2 pm. There wasn't THAT much candy, but that is still a lot to eat in a short amount of time. The upside is that I don't have to deal with candy rationing.
After eating his candy, Linus decided he was "sick" and would not be going to church. Obviously, that was not going to fly. We did eventually get out the door, but there was definitely yelling and fighting. It was not exactly the most peaceful way to celebrate our risen Lord.
Ready for mass.
I didn't put a lot of energy into Easter outfits this year. Linus wore an old white button shirt and khakis--he wanted to wear his new suit that he got for First Communion. He was mad I said no and that's what started the rough morning. In my defense, I didn't want to have to dry clean and press his suit before the big day. Robin, having not grown that much, wore the same outfit as last year but with a different tie and shoes. Eileen was the only one to score a new dress (which I love).
Fr. Brad continued his tradition of using Notorious B.I.G. rap lyrics in his Easter homily. This year's might be my favorite....
You're nobody til somebody kills you
Mass was pretty stressful. There were triplets boys right by us that were out of control. I felt bad for their parents. The kids' screaming and flailing was unsettling all the kids around them. The parents through in the towel eventually and all the children in the balcony with us calmed down.
I think next year I'm going to take the kids to the vigil. I always went as a kid. The benefit of doing the vigil is that we wouldn't have to deal with the same level of grumpiness in trying to get kids to mass when there is candy to be eaten. That, and I think the kids would like the whole candle thing.
I had Dave help me with Easter baskets this year. I asked him to please wrap the presents while I sorted candy. Wrapped in tissue paper no problem, until he went to put their names on them. He had one job....
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| I give Dave props for his solution to the problem. |
After mass I prepared brunch while the kids played with their toys. The Easter bunny brought them each a book/art thing. Robin got a coloring book with dot paint, Eileen got string art, and Linus got a book on hieroglyphics with stamps. I don't normally wrap Easter presents, but these didn't fit in their baskets. Each kid also got a small squirting bath toy of a sea creature with Native American markings.
Despite pining for a string art set for months, Eileen fell in love with the dot art. These things are cool and may become my go-to gift.
Dave set up an egg hunt for the kids that spanned both inside and the backyard.
My sister, Sally, and brother, Tim, joined us. I like having an excuse to use my wedding china. It was hard doing a brunch without eggs or gluten or dairy but I think I did alright. Many mimosas were drunk. The kids loved having the additional adult playmates around and dog cousin.
My parents came over for a little bit as well. It was all very very low key. I love Christmas and the Christmas season, but what I like about Easter is that there isn't the same sense of let down when it's over. Instead you are filled with joy and hope for spring. This Easter season I tried to follow the words of the Pope and give up indifference for Lent. I'm not sure how successful I was. Given the times we live in, Christ's message of hope is just what I need.
On a side note, the sun came out on Saturday. We jumped on the opportunity and had a teriyaki takeout picnic in the park.
I like how it looks like Dave is punching Linus in order to spin him.
Does not know how to handle glowing orb in sky. Too bright!
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