Easter

Last night the girls set out their Easter baskets at the bottom of their beds. When we went to check on them they were both sleeping on the floor. Perhaps they thought they'd catch the Easter Bunny. Evelyn woke up first, saw her basket filled with candy and little toys and said, "It's Easter day, wake up Rowan! The bunny! The bunny was here!"

Almost every morning this week either Evelyn or Rowan has asked me if it was Easter morning. They've been anticipating the Easter Bunny, singing songs about him, and talking about the candy they believed they'd get. I tried to add practical things to their baskets too since they're too young to not think of everything as a gift. So they got new swimsuits and panties as well.

We sat on their bedroom floor with them, trying to prevent them from stuffing chocolate with the aluminum wrapper in their mouths, and opening various toys.

This is what I wanted for them and I wanted them to have memories of Easter being a fun time with their family. I remember being a child and waking up with my sister to find our Easter baskets waiting for us. Easter was always a beautiful time in our lives.

I believe that it is really important for them to grow up with joy in their hearts. To know how to play and laugh and have fun. Their lives will not always be perfect; everyone has hard times. But if they have a foundation of happiness then I think it will be easier for them to find it as adults. Maybe they'll know what to look for. Or maybe how to create happiness for themselves. And its great for us too. Sharing such fun times with them is my happiness.

After baskets the girls got ready and put on their new Easter dresses. They love wearing anything big and poofy and girly.

We had time to talk to family members on the phone and through Skype before I took the girls to church for Easter service. To be honest, we're not regular church goers. I think this became apparent when everyone closed their eyes for a prayer and Evelyn said, "they go night-night?" "No honey, they're not sleeping, they're praying."

But I do enjoy church on Easter. It struck me how Easter is one of those times in which you can pretty much guarantee what the sermon is going to be about. The minister will talk about the resurrection and work in a sort of "life renewing" kind of theme. And it occurred to me how difficult it must be to have to speak about the same subject every year and yet somehow make it slightly different than last year, but not too different. Easter is definitely not the day for exploring some obscure part of the bible.

The girls wanted to sit in the main church, but after they felt the need to dance and twirl during the first song, I thought it might be best to take them to Sunday school.

Unfortunately, Andre had to work, so we sort of had two Easters. We decorated eggs, cracked cascarones (confetti eggs) and broke a pinata on Saturday. Then today we did it all over again at my sister's house. The girls each had their own pinata and I bought 100 confetti eggs, so that worked out well.

We were also able to swim in the pool for the first time this year. I am really looking forward to the girls taking swimming lessons. I think they are going to really love it.

For some reason, Easter dinner with my family always means ham. You know, the little chicks, the lambs, the rabbits, they're all appreciated over the holiday--but the pig?...oh no, poor little piggy he's sitting on the table. It seems unfair. Yummy, but unfair.

So, that was Easter this year.





This is not Easter, but it was a more entertaining video than kids hitting a pinata. This video is from last weekend when we went to the local zoo.

Rowan and Evelyn feeding goats from Leigh on Vimeo.

More Blog Security

I utilized a security feature of the blog so that it was no longer public. I tried to invite people who I either know read the blog or may want to. If anyone hears I missed someone or knows someone who wants to read it, then just let me know.

Thanks

Happy Birthday: Babies turning 3

We celebrated the girls third birthday this Sunday. It was the first birthday that they were able to make some of the decisions--shall we say, it was their first party-planning experience. They chose the ever popular, "My Little Pony Theme," and went with a guest list of fellow classmates. Their colors were pink and purple (of course they were). Evelyn decided on a confetti birthday cake (white with sprinkles), while Rowan (reluctantly) decided on strawberry flavored. They both wanted to wear matching Hello Kitty pink tutu dresses for their party.

Of course the most important decision is always location. The twins agreed that the party should take place at "Hoppin' House," their favorite inflatable playground. So for the past three months anytime we went to Hoppin' House they reminded us that their birthday should take place there.

It was fun watching the girls with some of their little friends. Mary, from across the street, came too. She and Evelyn are pretty good friends. Here is a picture of the two of them together. Evelyn can't say, "Mary," so she calls her "Mitsy" instead. Rowan likes Mary and will play with her, but Evelyn adores her. She'll throw a big fit if she sees Mary playing outside and we won't let her go out and play too. They are just about the same age. I think the girls are a few months older, but not by much. Mary has an older brother named Jack who also came to the party. They're both great kids.

We invited all the kids in their class, because you can't invite some kids and not invite all of the kids. Unfortunately none of the classmates RSVP'd so we had no idea how many kids were coming and since it was at a location and not our house we couldn't invite very many other kids. A few of their really good friends from school came though and they had a great time playing together.

For their presents from us, the girls both got new bicycles. Their first "real bikes." The little kid bikes nowadays are really cute. Evelyn's has a little miniature seat in the back to put a doll or stuffed animal. Rowan's has a basket and bell. We let the girls pick them out themselves.

Apparently, I had some misconceptions about teaching a child to ride a bike. You always see the stereotypical scene of a parent running with the kid and then triumphantly letting go as the kid sails down the street. They fail to show that leading up to that is a lot of bending over, back breaking, as you try to show the child to "peddle, peddle, peddle." Ugh, parenting is so bad for the back and there's just no easy way around it.

Nevertheless, the girls seem to have it down now and can consistently peddle--mostly without any help. They even managed to purposefully run into each other a few times. They also had their first race. They've come a long way since the days when we would put them on the floor and see who could crawl faster. The baby races...ah, those were good days too.


Its so much fun to see each new step. As I was watching Rowan take off on her bike I couldn't help but think about her learning to stand. She was so determined. She would push up and then keep trying over and over again. Then one day she was standing just like nothing. Then she was walking, then running. Now she can skip and hop and jump and twirl. Each new stage is such a big accomplishment. As the parent, you see them pushing themselves to do it and you think, "come on kid, you can do it," and you hope that you're right. Then they do and they are on to the next step. Today it's a bike, tomorrow a car.