Easter

We have been sooo busy with Easter festivities!  I wanted to post them asap on Monday, but I seriously don't know where the time goes.  Oh, wait...pump, feed, clean, repeat 7 or 11 more times.  That's where!  I have been so excited to be a pseudo stay at home mommy for the past two months.  Ironically, the only unusual thing Reid's preschool had going on that I got to see (that I'd normally miss since it's during working hours) during that time was their Easter egg hunt, but it's been great just to drop him off and pick him up.  Their egg hunt was last Thursday.  I am amazed that his wonderful teachers can get eight three and four year olds to actually get in a line.  Some of my kindergarteners still have issues with that.  It had rained only a few minutes prior and sprinkled on us outside for a minute, but thankfully the hard rain held off until later.

On your mark, get set, go!  The teachers had coached the kids on picking up twelve eggs (the same number we'd filled and sent in) so everyone would have an equal amount.  It was really cute to watch the kids counting and hunting.  One of Reid's friends came over and sweetly shared and plunked three eggs in his basket (but we had to toss them back out for someone else to find since Reid had 12).

This Dollar Tree quick fix basket I got last year has come in handy for so many things!  I didn't want his nice Easter Bunny basket to get dirty or grassy.

Reid's preschool class

Ms. LaLinda and Ms. Shannon had ladybugs and butterflies they'd been studying and watching in class.  They released them to symbolize new life (just as Jesus' resurrection symbolizes our chance at new life if we trust Him as our savior).  It was really cute to listen to how another teacher explains this to 3 and 4 year olds...and how wonderful that they can talk about God and Jesus at school every day!!  Sure wish I could...

"Look, Mommy...the ladybug tickles me!"

Since it would basically be my only chance, I went ahead and took Reid home with me instead of having him go to Kids Klub (where he stays and plays from 2 until whenever I come before 5:30).  He was SO excited to open his eggs and see what treasures they held.  He ended up with five erasers, "One for you, Mommy...one for Carter, one for Daddy, one for Dixie, and two for me!" two stampers, a popper, a slinky, and stickers.  Happy, happy, happy!

Our neighborhood puts on an annual egg hunt the Saturday before Easter each year.  We made sure we were there way ahead of time to get a good spot and scope out the eggs and candy they'd put out.

Reid was super excited and waited very patiently.  We made the mistake of telling him about the special golden egg (he spotted it...right in the very center of the field) that he could get that would earn an Easter basket treat.  But once the hunt began, a four or five year old girl ran out and got it.  Rather than just picking up the other eggs, Reid burst into tears and ran back to us as all the eggs were being snatched up.  At the end, he ended up with four eggs...and the two pieces of candy he'd gotten fell out because he was pouting and crying about the darn golden egg.  He has been so into "winning" anything competitive lately!  Hoping he grows out of that pouty part of it because you can't win everything in life, as I keep trying to explain.

The line for bunny pictures was chaotic.  The lady wasn't set up at 9:30 like planned, she was all by herself (her young daughter did end up assisting, which helped out a little), then they chose a location where cars could drive/park behind (and yes, that happened in two of our pics, of course).  But she emailed them to us (free!) so then I felt bad for griping to Jason...

After church, Steven and Aimee invited us over to their new house for brunch.  Steven had smoked a ham...and dare I say it's the best one I've ever had!!  The icing on the cake was that he also made us eggs Benedict.  SO good :)  The big boys all had fun playing and our little one was such a good napper.  We enjoyed catching up and spending time with them all, plus I actually remembered to bring our camera so we could get the rare family pic.

The French cousins (who can sit up)

Our little bunny was such a cutie on Easter.  Along with the new beginnings you always think about on Easter day, it was extra special this year with a new little life in our family.  We are so thankful for Carter, but most importantly we are thankful for Jesus and what he did for all of us.