Easter

Our Easter weekend started Friday afternoon. Dan had been very busy at work the past couple days and still had more to do so suggested the kids and I go back a day earlier than planned to stay with my mom so he could get all his work done before the holiday weekend.  I decided to carpool back with Greg Friday afternoon.

It was time to go but the most handsome
boy ever was still snoozing.  I had to wake
him but not before taking a snapshot.
I love how peaceful they look while asleep.

Saturday morning, we heading over to Pat and Jim's house to dye Easter eggs with the kids while I made my side dish for the Guenther family dinner later that night.  

Is it done?
It's hard to wait!

She kept checking and saying, "I think just
a little longer" and plunking them back in.

They dyed three dozen eggs total.  Well... they helped
with two dozen before getting bored with it.

First egg is done!

Forget using the spoons to scoop them out,
I'll just use my hands.  It's much easier that way.
He was quite proud of his egg.

After nap, we headed over to Guenther's house where Grandma and Grandpa had Easter baskets ready for them along with eggs hidden for the kids to find.  

Easter basket from Grandma and Grandpa.

He was so interested in what was inside
he wouldn't even look up for a picture.

Love, love, love these snapshots of
Myles playing with Gramma Gramma.
Not quite 2 and not quite 92.  

After church on Easter morning we headed to my cousin's home to celebrate with the Holmes side.  Another Easter basket from Gram was waiting for the kids.

A new pair of clip on earrings! 

Myles was excited about the candy.

And the cars.

He also got a Brewers shirt - just in
time for opening day.

A kid pair of glasses.  You know this kid and her glasses!

Tried taking a picture of the three kiddos together (the third is Reagan - my cousin and his wife's daughter - 2)  It's is an impossible task to get all three kids looking at the camera at the same time but they turned out cute nonetheless.

Chipmunk cheeks full of candy and face full of cheesy smile.

Brother-Sister hugs! 

And Myles hugging a completely
uninterested Reagan.

Who doesn't need a pair of reading
glasses?

The kids' hard work from Saturday all ready for the annual
Easter egg crack.  

Dan thinks he has the winning egg.

Technically speaking, it's the first family photo as a family
of FIVE!

As always after a long weekend back
he zonks out until we get home...

... when it was time to find the official Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny.

Myles found his by the lady we took
when Gramma Guenther moved out of
her house.  He loves her and most
recently wiped her face clean after lunch.

Nora found hers too!

Filled with entirely too much candy
and some other fun trinkets as well.

Happy Easter! 

Easter Egg Hunt

Holidays are really starting to get fun again.  I've always enjoyed the holidays -- most do.  But now that I've got kids, it's like I'm seeing everything through young, enthusiastic eyes again.  And my gosh, that's fun. 

This year, we attended our church's Easter egg hunt.  We met in the church for songs and the story of Easter before the hunt began (while the big kid helpers hid the eggs outside).    

Ms. Neumann is one of the Pre-K
teachers at St. Paul.  She led the songs -
singing Little Bunny Foo Foo right now.

Nora thoroughly entertained. 

Also did the bunny hokey. 

She didn't even sit by me during it... she sat by her friend.
Getting so grown up.

I had this guy right by me though.  He didn't want to sit
by Nora and Mallory.  He didn't want to sit, period.
He walked to the back himself (with Dan following) and
got a busy bag to play with.

Then found himself a super special
spot right up front.

Let the games begin! 

For the egg hunt, we had to split up.  Nora and I went with the big kids while Dan took Myles into the special (not very hidden) area for kids two and under.  

Off she goes!

Found one.

This may have been the egg that got her shoes completely
caked in mud.  Oh well, that's half the fun.  But note-to-self
for next year... wear rain boots (and bring her Easter basket).

"Eggs!"

Showing Daddy all the eggs she
found when we met back up again.

The loot -- they were only allowed to find 10 eggs each
to ensure all kids were able to find some.  Very nice.

Loves of my life.

Then we went inside for a cereal bar.  They had all sorts of cereals they've never had like Fruit Loops and Trix next to Cheerios and Kix.  Guess which they chose...  they loved them.  :)

And...

the Easter Bunny was there!!
Yup - this is the best picture I ended up with.
On the bright side, Myles wasn't crying.
It was taken overlooking all the kids eating their cereal and
running around.  It was distracting and hard to get their
attention.  I'm surprised they even got up there and like I
said, at least there wasn't tears.  

As I was buckling Nora into the car seat she said, "Mom.  That was amazing."

I think it's safe to say she enjoyed herself.

Science Experiments

I want to get back to doing more activities around here.  We don't have to do as many as we did during Christmas but at least one every couple of weeks would be nice.  For them and me.  

Today, we basically made volcanoes but I just put the baking soda in a dish and gave them tinted vinegar and droppers to play with.  (A big thanks to the Walgreen's pharmacist who gave me 5 droppers for free when I asked if they sold them!)

Watching what happens when baking soda and
vinegar mix. 

drip, drip, drip

Observing

His wheels were turning.  After a few droppers full, he
decided that wasn't fizzy enough and instead took
handfuls of baking soda and plopped them into the
cup of vinegar.

This is how it went for the remainder of play time.

And he loved every single minute.

{First picture of him actually looking and actually smiling!}