Easter Fun

What crazy mom gets their kids all dressed up on a General Conference Sunday when we’re all supposed to lounge in our pajamas all day?!  Apparently this one does.  It’s the kids’ fault though.  They got up extra early because of the excitement of the Easter Bunny. 

 

After a pancake breakfast (and with conference not starting until noon!), what else was a mom to do than get her cute kiddos bathed and dolled up for some Easter photos?! 

  

We were also headed outside to look for the eggs the Easter Bunny left in the yard.  Tanner would absolutely not let go of his basket for pictures though, so we paused on the picture taking and went hunting for eggs. 

The Easter Bunny determined to wait until Easter morning to hide the eggs, as opposed to the night before.  He was worried the squirrels might get into them.  Not 20 minutes after he hid the eggs, did the children go out looking for them.  I think Mr. Bunny’s concern was well warranted.  We counted at least six eggs that had been chewed through!  Those squirrels must be hungry after a long winter! 

  

Tanner absolutely loved egg hunting!  I could not get enough of this squishy little thing with his toddle, oversized basket, and pudgy little fingers picking up eggs.  I could have watched him all day!  This age is so fun.  Everything he does is just so dang cute!! 

Of course, Jade and Ridge had a great time finding eggs too!  And yes, I think they are super cute as well. 

 

After they found all the eggs, the kids started playing on the little jungle gym. 

  

It was really funny when Tanner wanted to go down the slide but would still not let go of his basket… 

  

Spilling everything out of his basket turned out not to be too upsetting for him. He decided to simply eat the candy right off the ground! 

We all went inside and once there we somehow got Tanner to let go of his basket.  I seized the opportunity to attempt more Easter photos sans basket! 

 

After all, Easter clothes only come once a year! 

 

 

 

Would you believe, after all that, we still had time to kill before General Conference started?!  So we came in, stripped down, and dyed Easter eggs! After egg salad sandwiches for lunch, conference finally started and our secular Easter festivities were over. 

  

 

In the weeks leading up to Easter, we had a few other Easter-related activities.  Several weeks prior, Jade decided she needed to make everyone bunny hats in preparation for the upcoming holiday. I thought they were pretty cute! 

One day when the boys and I were at the mall running errands, we spotted the Easter Bunny.  I’m not a big fan of the Easter Bunny (read: I would not have sought him out).  Yet there he was and with no line, so of course I had to get pictures with my cute boys!  I’ve never denied that I’m a little picture-happy.  Tanner’s reaction was priceless.  I thought he would be the scared one, but that kid could not have been more thrilled!  It was as if he was being snuggled by a giant stuffed animal and he was elated!!  Ridge, on the other hand, was excited until we got to the entrance, then wanted to back out.  He wasn’t so sure about sitting with this massive rabbit! 

Every Wednesday we moms get our non-school-age children together for playgroup.  One of the moms hosted a fun egg hunt and lunch the first week of April.  This was good training for Tanner, and was where his love affair with his basket began. 

 

This is our regular group of playgroup kids, but some weeks we have even more!  There are SO many great families with young kids in our ward. 

Finally, one of our friends has a family tradition to hold a huge Easter egg hunt with friends at a local park. 

  

I think there were about 30 kids and over 300 eggs!  Please notice Ridge’s face in this one.  Yep.  That’s my boy.

On a more serious note, I would like to say I’m grateful for the real reason we celebrate Easter.  I know that Jesus Christ lives.  I fully believe that He is real.  That He lived and died and was resurrected.  He gave His life and took it up again the third day so that we may all have eternal life.  This selfless act shows His undeniable love for each and everyone of us.  What a beautiful spring holiday to celebrate new life and remember our Savior—the life that made it all possible!