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.