Easter 2011

For our family this year, Easter meant dyeing eggs, hunting eggs, making bunny cookies, filling baskets, and of course, celebrating Easter Sunday at church. While it's fun seeing these things through the eyes of your children, it can leave a mommy feeling pretty worn out--especially when trying to complete all the tasks listed above with a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. In fact, after trying to manage 4 little hands dyeing eggs, I was downright grumpy! But time has a way of softening memories, and I'm sure I'll only remember the fun parts...until I reread this blog one day! I guess I should just be grateful that we only experienced one egg casualty (see picture above) and that one was actually my fault :)

The kids were pretty fascinated by the whole dyeing process. Doesn't Ethan look thrilled? That's his new picture face.

Normally our church does a huge Easter egg hunt, but due to construction, we weren't able to have it this year. I really wanted Ethan to have a chance to hunt eggs too, so we had our own little egg hunt Easter morning after the kids went through their baskets. It took Ethan a few minutes to get the hang of it, but luckily he had his big sister to show him the ropes.

Then we got ready for church. They were fine to stand by each other, but we couldn't get them to both look at the camera and smile at the same time without pulling on some part of their clothing. Sigh. One of these days I will get a good sibling shot!

Once we got home (and after some much-needed naps!), the kids got to play with their Easter goodies. Ethan loved blowing his "Easter bubbles." He was actually quite good at it.

Kaitlyn is our little nature lover, so the Easter bunny brought her a butterfly (or bug or fish) net so that she can examine small creatures a little more closely this summer. She was SO excited when a butterfly visited our yard. But alas, it alluded her repeated attempts to capture it. Now if I can just convince her that the soon-to-arrive cicadas are actually fun to watch, then that net will get LOTS of use! But since I can't stand the creepy red-eyed things, I may have trouble convincing her.

Now off to rest, write papers, and get ready for Kaitlyn's birthday party next week!

Kaitlyn's Easter Party

Kaitlyn's preschool class had their Easter Party/Egg Hunt today at school. There was yummy food, a cake decorating activity, a live bunny and, of course, the egg hunt!

Kaitlyn's class (minus two friends who were absent today)

Icing their own cupcakes and seeing what happens when you mix colors together

All lined up ready for the egg hunt

The hunt lasted about 5 minutes.

Kaitlyn and her best pals, Halle and Meredith. This trio is inseparable at school!

Sweet Friends

A couple of weeks ago, Kaitlyn got to explore the Discovery Center with her dear friend Hannah. These two love each other so much and play together very well. I'm looking forward to many more adventures with these sweet girls!

Catching Up...

A few weeks ago, we all went down to my mom's house for the weekend. It was cold and rainy, and we spent most of the time indoors. Fortunately, my mom saved lots of toys from my childhood, so the kids always keep themselves pretty entertained while we're there. Sometimes, though, you just need to sit and chill in front of the TV. Truthfully, I think the adults needed them to chill in front of the TV for a little bit too! And in case you're wondering, yes, that is Santa on the screen. Apparently my kids haven't figured out yet that you usually don't watch Christmas movies in the springtime :) I didn't have the heart to break it to them.

Love the zombie look. This is why they don't get to watch much TV!

Are those really my children lying so peacefully next to each other?

Pure cuteness!

Ethan's 1st Haircut

This adventure didn't go so well, as you can see in the pictures below. The downward spiral started with the cape. We tried to describe it as a fun "superhero" cape, but that didn't fly at all. When Steve (the hairstylist) tried to put it on, Ethan swatted at that cape with all the anger and frustration that a 2-year-old can manage. We ditched the cape, but it was too late. He was in full meltdown mode. So Steve started snipping quickly.

So pitiful...

Enormous tears!

We tried bribing with candy, but to no avail.

He's getting really angry now!

Finally it was over!

I really hope his hair grows very slowly.