We were invited to a community Easter Egg Hunt, and I decided to be brave and actually go. Jesse had to work (it was on a Saturday morning), so I called in Aunt Julie for reinforcement. We took the kiddos and had a good time.
Ryleigh liked seeing all the bright colored eggs and kids running around, though she was not quite sure what was the point of the whole ordeal!
So Aunt Julie helped her master the art of egg hunting.
Afterwards, we took stock of the inventory, gathered her tickets, and went to pick out prizes.
With one last attempt to meet the Easter bunny... to which, Ryleigh finally obliged, as long as "Mommy go wit me." So, Wesley and I got to meet the bunny too. :)
Fast forward another week. The night before Easter, it was time to dye eggs. I have not done this since I was a kid, and to be honest, I had no idea what to do. After reading the instructions on the box (y'all know I always read the instructions), researching "how to dye eggs" online, and a call to my mom, I had everything ready to go. Then I sat back, grabbed the camera, and let the rest of them figure out what to do!
And though they might not have turned out perfectly, Ryleigh was excited. And they were pretty, colored eggs.
After the kiddos went to bed, Jesse and I got out the goodies from the Easter bunny.
But as soon as Daddy made it home, oh man, did she go for the good stuff!
And Mr. Cutie Pie was pretty excited about his first Easter basket too. Nothing like some spoons and chew toys!
We relished in the moment of our little family for awhile. Sitting around the table. Laughing. Smiling. Eating chocolate. Praising God for the gift and sacrifice of His son.
Dad and Julie came over and we all went to church together. After church, we came home and I attempted to cook. Yes- I even made deviled eggs! A true labor of love. Be proud!
And Wesley found his first Easter egg, the blue one with his name on it, sitting in the window sill. Pretty small little guy, if I may say so myself.
This is where I interject the weirdness that was our Easter this year.
It was weird to go to a random church for a holiday service, rather than attending at a church home.
It was weird to have my dad there, and my mom be gone. (She was in Minnesota with Susan and Peyton. Don't get me wrong, I'm THRILLED that Dad was there, and I know Mom was where she needed to be. I know it was probably weird for them too. Nevertheless, it was weird to me.)
It was weird to attempt to cook a traditional, yet non-traditional Easter meal. One that would fulfill my Dad and sister's need for an "Easter" meal, and yet not too similar, so as not be compared to my mom's cooking.
It was weird feeling like I was trying to make the day feel like a holiday, full of all those feelings I remember as a kid and wanting to recreate them for my own kids. I wanted to make sure Ryleigh had a fun day. I wanted to make sure she "got" the hugeness of the day, and that it was not just another day. I wanted her to know that though hunting for eggs, getting an Easter basket, and eating candy is fun, there is so much more to celebrate. I wanted to sing "Jesus loves me," and have her understand, truly, how strong the love of her savior.
His love makes every day a "holiday" full of hunting for eggs, sharing sweet fellowship with family, and eating chocolate.
After the kiddos went to bed, Jesse and I got out the goodies from the Easter bunny.This year? There were two baskets to fill. My heart was happy.
When Ryleigh woke up extra early Easter morning (notice it is still dark outside?) and Daddy was not home from work yet, I watched as she cautiously eyed the goodies on the kitchen table. I held her off as long as I could.
But as soon as Daddy made it home, oh man, did she go for the good stuff!
And Mr. Cutie Pie was pretty excited about his first Easter basket too. Nothing like some spoons and chew toys!
We relished in the moment of our little family for awhile. Sitting around the table. Laughing. Smiling. Eating chocolate. Praising God for the gift and sacrifice of His son.Then, we got dressed and ready for church.
(On a side note, anyone who says that "dressing little girls is more fun than dressing little boys, has obviously never bought a 3-month blue argyle sweater for a little boy. Delish!)
Dad and Julie came over and we all went to church together. After church, we came home and I attempted to cook. Yes- I even made deviled eggs! A true labor of love. Be proud!And finally, it was time for the egg hunt. Aunt Julie hid the eggs in the backyard (or "the jungle" as Ryleigh refers to it), and then we all went out to watch her search for them, and count to make sure she got them all.
And Wesley found his first Easter egg, the blue one with his name on it, sitting in the window sill. Pretty small little guy, if I may say so myself.
This is where I interject the weirdness that was our Easter this year.It was weird to go to a random church for a holiday service, rather than attending at a church home.
It was weird to have my dad there, and my mom be gone. (She was in Minnesota with Susan and Peyton. Don't get me wrong, I'm THRILLED that Dad was there, and I know Mom was where she needed to be. I know it was probably weird for them too. Nevertheless, it was weird to me.)
It was weird to attempt to cook a traditional, yet non-traditional Easter meal. One that would fulfill my Dad and sister's need for an "Easter" meal, and yet not too similar, so as not be compared to my mom's cooking.
It was weird feeling like I was trying to make the day feel like a holiday, full of all those feelings I remember as a kid and wanting to recreate them for my own kids. I wanted to make sure Ryleigh had a fun day. I wanted to make sure she "got" the hugeness of the day, and that it was not just another day. I wanted her to know that though hunting for eggs, getting an Easter basket, and eating candy is fun, there is so much more to celebrate. I wanted to sing "Jesus loves me," and have her understand, truly, how strong the love of her savior.
But she is not even 3 yet. And she doesn't quite understand. But she will. It's my job to teach her. Better yet, to show her. And him. Because He deserves her love. And I want her to know His love.
His love makes every day a "holiday" full of hunting for eggs, sharing sweet fellowship with family, and eating chocolate.Yes, I do believe there will be chocolate in heaven. Which is just one more reason I'm so incredibly thankful for Easter.
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