The kids were SO excited for Easter.
Every day Andrew would ask, "How many days left until Easter?"
Every day Andrew would ask, "How many days left until Easter?"
The boys were so excited that they woke up at 5:40!
(They were good though and stayed in bed....)
We were up at that time too ~ there is a lot to fit in before church so we have to be ready to go when we wake up the kids. We let the boys get up earlier than usual, and had to wake up Katie (our only child that sleeps in) and the kids ran around looking for their Easter baskets.
(The bunny hides them each year).
(They were good though and stayed in bed....)
We were up at that time too ~ there is a lot to fit in before church so we have to be ready to go when we wake up the kids. We let the boys get up earlier than usual, and had to wake up Katie (our only child that sleeps in) and the kids ran around looking for their Easter baskets.
(The bunny hides them each year).
Matthew found his in the playroom.
He recieved a LEGO book he had seen at the book fair at school and really wanted but was out of his budget. :)
A wii game that he's wanted for a long time (wii Party ~ it's a fun one!), "Old Maid", and a couple of books ~ classics ~ one being Swiss Family Robinson that comes with a CD that I thought would be a nice alternative to DVDs during road trips, some new gardening tools, and a water squirter to replace the one that was a hit last year but met it's demise. Of course, the obligatory chocolate bunny.
He recieved a LEGO book he had seen at the book fair at school and really wanted but was out of his budget. :)
A wii game that he's wanted for a long time (wii Party ~ it's a fun one!), "Old Maid", and a couple of books ~ classics ~ one being Swiss Family Robinson that comes with a CD that I thought would be a nice alternative to DVDs during road trips, some new gardening tools, and a water squirter to replace the one that was a hit last year but met it's demise. Of course, the obligatory chocolate bunny.
Matthew was thrilled with his basket and had to check out the Lego book right away.
Andrew found his basket in the dryer. :)
He recieved a new puzzle, a couple of DVDs and a book on David and Goliath, a book of mazes (he LOVES mazes) and will come in handy during baseball games, a super hero mask and a Lego Ninjago minifigure and wallet (that Matthew has been coveting).
He recieved "Treasure Island" with the CDs that we'll listen to in the car as well and a water squirter for summer..
He recieved a new puzzle, a couple of DVDs and a book on David and Goliath, a book of mazes (he LOVES mazes) and will come in handy during baseball games, a super hero mask and a Lego Ninjago minifigure and wallet (that Matthew has been coveting).
He recieved "Treasure Island" with the CDs that we'll listen to in the car as well and a water squirter for summer..
Katie's basket was under the kitchen table.
Katie was the big winner this holiday.
Her basket was packed full.
(We don't really worry about everything being "equal" all the time...we operate under the philosophy that life really isn't "fair" and 50/50 all the time. I have one child that really struggles with this idea and so I actually want to nurture some flexibility in this area. We try to teach the kids instead to be happy with what we receive and be happy for others for what they receive. That being said, we are in general, equally unfair. :) Everyone ends up in that position at different times ~ though we don't keep track of that either. No one is hurting for anything in this family! And everyone knows they are loved and cherished ~ being the one that doesn't get as much "stuff" doesn't mean they are loved any less! The kids are getting used to this and it really isn't an issue, and if it comes up they usually only need a gentle reminder. They are doing pretty well with this concept. Anyway, I wanted to record that not to push my beliefs on anyone, but more for the kids to read down the road and know what we were trying to accomplish.)
Her basket was packed full.
(We don't really worry about everything being "equal" all the time...we operate under the philosophy that life really isn't "fair" and 50/50 all the time. I have one child that really struggles with this idea and so I actually want to nurture some flexibility in this area. We try to teach the kids instead to be happy with what we receive and be happy for others for what they receive. That being said, we are in general, equally unfair. :) Everyone ends up in that position at different times ~ though we don't keep track of that either. No one is hurting for anything in this family! And everyone knows they are loved and cherished ~ being the one that doesn't get as much "stuff" doesn't mean they are loved any less! The kids are getting used to this and it really isn't an issue, and if it comes up they usually only need a gentle reminder. They are doing pretty well with this concept. Anyway, I wanted to record that not to push my beliefs on anyone, but more for the kids to read down the road and know what we were trying to accomplish.)
Anyway, Katie received a new nightgown/robe and the matching set for her baby doll. Another room of furniture & baby bunnies for her doll house that she received for her birthday that we're slowly filling in. A purse and gloves for Easter. A bible for little girls, a coloring book, a painting book, some gardening tools/ teapot watering can, a princess purs and a water squirter.
(I realize that sounds excessive. The Easter bunny did not realize how much she had squirreled away over the course of the last year for her basket. Our Easter Bunny puts things away when she sees them for later).
(I realize that sounds excessive. The Easter bunny did not realize how much she had squirreled away over the course of the last year for her basket. Our Easter Bunny puts things away when she sees them for later).
Katie liked her treats, but what she really wanted was the CANDY.
She was all about the chocolate bunny!
I can relate.
These two always end up huddled together. I love it.
When the baskets were emptied the children ran around looking for the Easter Eggs that the bunny hid.
And enjoyed a few treats.
We enjoyed a very simple breakfast. Fresh fruit and a marionberry/cream cheese Danish that I love that Dan purchased from a local bakery. I really just wanted to keep things simple and enjoy the holiday. Can you believe I just said that? It really is me typing this post and not Dan. Promise. We even ate off of paper plates.
Then we got ready for church!
Matthew took this photo of me and Dan. I thought he did a great job!
I tried to take a quick picture of Katie with her gloves and purse before we left for church.
She wasn't in the mood to cooperate.
We went to church, which I posted about before. It was a beautiful service.
I especially love church on Easter.
Then we met my brother and his family/inlaws for brunch.
It was delicious and really nice to have some time together.
(We missed you Mom, but were glad you had a fun weekend too!)
I especially love church on Easter.
Then we met my brother and his family/inlaws for brunch.
It was delicious and really nice to have some time together.
(We missed you Mom, but were glad you had a fun weekend too!)
Noah didn't want his photo taken.
It's so unfortunate.
He's such a beautiful subject. :)
Hi Dale and Glenda! It was so good to see you!
Love this photo of the boys. :) It's so them.
These cousins had a lot of fun sitting together.
I love to see their friendship growing.
Katie followed up her candy breakfast by literally ignoring/refusing to eat anything on her plate and spent her time drinking hot chocolate.
She then spied Aunt Michelle's chocolate mousse and helped her finish that off too.
Who am I to stand between a girl and her chocolate on Eater Sunday?
(She is now quite displeased that she can't eat like this daily).
I captured these while walking back to the van.
Dan told Matthew to "watch Kaitlin" while they walked ahead (he then took her hand)
and these little scenes unfolded.
Dan told Matthew to "watch Kaitlin" while they walked ahead (he then took her hand)
and these little scenes unfolded.
The skipping.
Be still my heart.
Andrew kissing Katie's hand.
Pure sweetness.
The rest of the day was really relaxing and full of guilty pleasures.
The boys were indulged with LOTS of wii time.
I was indulged with hours on the sofa with my computer doing Easter posts and editing photos.
Dan sat with me and watched tv and then warmed leftovers for dinner.
I had bought things for a simple but nice Easter dinner, but we were so full from the brunch and felt like we'd had a festive meal that we decided to just do what was easy and enjoy relaxing instead.
It was wonderful.
It was a blissfully relaxing day.
We ended it with reading Easter scriptures with the boys.
Monday morning arrived in a quite unwelcome manner after such a lovely holiday weekend.
I hope you all had a happy Blessed Easter as well!
The rest of the day was really relaxing and full of guilty pleasures.
The boys were indulged with LOTS of wii time.
I was indulged with hours on the sofa with my computer doing Easter posts and editing photos.
Dan sat with me and watched tv and then warmed leftovers for dinner.
I had bought things for a simple but nice Easter dinner, but we were so full from the brunch and felt like we'd had a festive meal that we decided to just do what was easy and enjoy relaxing instead.
It was wonderful.
It was a blissfully relaxing day.
We ended it with reading Easter scriptures with the boys.
Monday morning arrived in a quite unwelcome manner after such a lovely holiday weekend.
I hope you all had a happy Blessed Easter as well!
