Easter '09

Saturday was the Hidden Springs Easter Party with an easter egg hunt for the little ones on the village green, cookies and punch inside, games on the lawn, and picture opportunities with the Easter Bunny himself. Faith and Tanner both loved the egg hunt- the limit was 12 eggs so I had to trail behind Faith and take out all the "extra" eggs she put in as she continued to grab more off the lawn and add them to her collection. She was unstoppable. Tanner was much more concerned about the number- he didn't want to go over 12.

After the egg hunt we went over to the Merc for treats. Tanner and Faith saw the Easter Bunny and told me in no uncertain terms that they would NOT be posing for a picture of him. They wouldn't go anywhere near him. Mom had to pick up Tanner to even get him in the Merc and past the bunny to the treat tables. Anyway, we got settled in at a table to eat our cookies (in a different room than the Easter Bunny was in) and all was peaceful. Until the Easter Bunny- unbeknownst to any of the adults- decided to take a stroll through the room we were in. Mom and I were both about 15 feet from the kids- chatting with friends- as he strolled past the kids' table. The only reason we realized this was the high pitched screaming that ensued. Faith and Tanner both dropped their easter baskets, candy flying, and screamed with fear, trying to run to us but unable to get to us without getting closer to the bunny. Mom and I tried to get to them but the bunny was also blocking our path. As comical as it was, I am sure that both Tanner and Faith will have an unnatural fear of bunnies for all of time. It was very reminiscent of our morning with Santa this past December. Now every time the words "Easter Bunny" are mentioned Faith gets a furrowed, worried little brow and says in all seriousness, "Easter Bunny scare me. No like Easter Bunny".

That evening we dyed eggs. I remember this annual event with great fondness from my childhood, but as an adult I just haven't gotten into it. It lasted a grand total of about 10 minutes until the eggs were all broken and dyed varying hues of green, purple, and mostly brown. The kids liked it well enough, but I think for me it may be one of those traditions that goes by the wayside soon.

For our Easter morning hunt Brian and I made up clues ,so inside the eggs (instead of candy) were clues leading the kids to their baskets. The baskets were literally overflowing with gifts from Grandma Mary, Nana, Auntie Sue, and from us. It was WAY over the top and bordering on ridiculous, but it was fun. Faith loves the stuffed rabbit that dances and sings and she repeatedly pushes his paw to make him shake his bunny booty and sing "Hop!" (a really annoying but surprisingly funny version of "Shout"). I give her one more day and then it's into the Easter basket until next year with the singing bunny.

Things got a little crazy in the afternoon as Tanner refused to nap and threw a HUGE 90 minute fit that ended with us putting the door back on his bedroom (don't ask why it was off in the first place....) and locking him in his room where he still refused to nap but eventually calmed down. He fell asleep on the brief drive to dinner and was in bed by 6:30. That kid is a holy terror when he is tired and Easter was his third day in a row without a nap.

It was a beautiful spring day and it was great to have Mom with us before she heads back to Truckee for the summer.