Easter morning 2009

It's Easter, and we have afternoon church, so it's been a pretty laid back day so far. The kids did not get baths last night because of the ward talent show, so they're working on that now. Rebecca finished the last Easter dress sometime earlier this week, and I will get pictures of the girls all dressed up later.

Joseph decided that we needed to try leg of lamb for Easter dinner tonight, so we have been preparing a Greek Easter feast. Jacob keeps reminding us that to do it right, we need to wait two weeks for the official celebration date. Rebecca made lemon cheese pies and spanakopita last night while I helped with dyeing eggs, got kids to bed and prepared the Easter baskets. It was a late night. As I sorted candy, I made sure Abby would get pink eggs and pink candy, Jacob would not get malt Robin's eggs but would still have the same number of eggs, and every basket had the same number of pieces of candy. Fairness is a pretty big issue around here, and the kids are old enough that they might count.

When Rebecca and I were at Target purchasing candy, we looked at the toys. I really don't want to buy my kids toys any more, especially the cheap throw away kinds. So we assembled a series of items used to make fun cookies and cupcakes. This way we can do something as a family later on. I am on an "experiences not stuff" kick right now. Maybe it will help us build memories with a little bit of meaning and depth.

Abby was super impressed by the huge bag of marshmallows next to her basket. She did the happy dance, a series of jumps, arm swinging and vocalizations, while she showed her treasure to her siblings. The other kids have been through this experience enough times that they did not do "happy dances." In fact, Jacob and Joseph barely managed a few grunts of pleasure as they consumed jelly beans.

Lillian was the first one out of bed this morning, if you don't count my letting the dog out or Abby's 5AM awakening to move in with her parents. She is still pretty little, but she does not like being hot, so she kicks the covers off. And she's in the middle. I tried to get her back to her cold bed, but she did not want to this morning. Our little walk to the bathroom, kids' bedroom and back must of cooled her off enough because she settled down and went back to sleep. Lillian persistantly sang "Wake Up" for reveille this morning. It worked for the little kids, but Jacob and Joseph didn't hustle out of bed until I said, "You kids will just have to eat the boys candy." After emptying his basket, Joseph fell back to sleep on the couch.